Today, Governor-elect Mike DeWine released more key
cabinet choices and senior staff picks, including his nominee to head up the state's largest agency, the Ohio Dept. of Rehabilitation and Correction. DeWine's transition team has selected Annette
Chambers-Smith to head up DR&C. Chambers-Smith is the first female nominee to head the agency and brings with her two decades of experience working inside the state
prisons system. She began her career at Pickaway Correctional Institution, where she was an OCSEA member.
OCSEA President Mabe met briefly with the agency-head nominee this morning and is optimistic about moving forward and collaborating on key issues that impact OCSEA members who work within Ohio's prison walls. This includes safety and equipment, under-staffing, overcrowding, privatization, the inmate drug epidemic, and the convoluted inmate classification system.
In recent correspondence to the Gov-elect, Pres. Mabe wrote: "We recognize that the new administration may face a variety of
challenges in the months and years ahead. But we would like to assist in addressing those challenges." Mabe says he and his union members are ready to help address those challenges in DR&C as well.
Get transition news at: www.GovElect.Ohio.gov.
Gongwer News Update: Thursday, January 3, 2019
DeWine Names Nominees For Tax Commissioner, Other Cabinet Slots
Gov. -elect Mike DeWine announced Thursday he is nominating Jeff McClain, a former lawmaker who currently works on tax policy at the Ohio Chamber of Commerce, as the state's next tax commissioner.
Mr. DeWine also announced the selection of other of cabinet directors, including:
Department of Administrative Services director: Matt Damschroder, a top official with Secretary of State Jon Husted's office.
Development Services Agency director: Findlay Mayor Lydia Mihalik.
Department of Rehabilitation & Correction director: Annette Chambers-Smith, a veteran DRC administrator.
Mr. DeWine also announced staff appointments of:
Ryan Burgess, current director of the Governor's Office of Workforce Transformation, as director of cabinet affairs.
Michael Hall, a key campaign policy advisor, as director of policy.
Dan McCarthy, the long-time president of The Success Group lobbying firm, as legislative director.
Mr. DeWine also announced he will be retaining Kevin Miller as director of Opportunities For Ohioans With Disabilities.
More details in today's Gongwer News Service Ohio Report.