Columbus, Ohio - Ohio Governor Ted Strickland today announced staff who will fill key roles in the governor's office.
“I am deeply thankful to these talented and bright men and women,” Strickland said. “Ohio deserves a government filled with the most capable leaders who are committed to selflessly serving the state.”
The governor’s staff will be:
Chief of Staff
John Haseley, of Athens, who served as campaign director for Strickland’s gubernatorial campaign, director of the transition team and chief of staff for Strickland’s Congressional office from 1998-2005, will serve as the governor’s chief of staff.
Office of the Lt. Governor
Lauren B. Goode will serve as chief of staff. Goode, a native of Peebles, Ohio, previously worked as communications director for The Ohio Academy of Trial Lawyers, and is a former policy and legislative aide in the Ohio Senate.
Laura Fleming, a native of Cleveland, will serve as executive assistant to the Lt. Governor. Fleming previously served as Lee Fisher's executive assistant at the Center for Families and Children.
Office of the First Lady
Todd Rensi will serve as chief of staff. Rensi, of Columbus, was an aide for Frances Strickland throughout the gubernatorial campaign and a longtime staff member at the Ohio Democratic Party.
Judy Newman, of Lucasville, who worked in Strickland’s Congressional office as a field representative since 1999, will serve as project coordinator in the first lady’s office.
Cabinet Secretary
Jan Allen, of Columbus, whose previous public service includes positions in the lt. governor and secretary of state’s offices and deputy chief of staff under Governor Richard Celeste, will serve as cabinet secretary.
Chief Legal Counsel
Kent Markus, a native of Cleveland, who recently worked as a professor at Capital University Law School and served as counselor to Attorney General Janet Reno at the U.S. Justice Department and as chief of staff to then Attorney General Lee Fisher, will serve as chief legal counsel to the governor.
Chief Operating Officer
Aaron Pickrell, an Iowa native, who formerly served as campaign manager for Strickland’s gubernatorial campaign and on numerous political campaigns – including John Edwards for President – will serve as the chief operating officer of the governor’s office.
Malik Hubbard, a native of Shaker Heights, who was the Southern Field Director for the 2006 Ohio coordinated campaign and the deputy field director for Virginia Governor Tim Kaine, will serve as deputy director of boards and commissions.
Office of Public Liaison
Wade Rakes, a Mississippi native and former executive assistant to the chairman of Showtime Networks Inc., will serve as the governor’s director of public liaison.
Office of Policy
Janetta King, a native of Waterford, Ohio and a long-time legislative assistant in Strickland’s congressional office, will serve as policy director.
Robin Harris, of Pickerington, who recently served as the director of public policy and acting president and chief executive officer of the Ohio United Way, will serve as the health and human services policy executive assistant.
Kris Long, of Columbus, who served as chief of staff and legal counsel for the Ohio Senate Democratic Caucus and in private practice in Michigan, will serve as the public safety and criminal justice policy executive assistant.
John D. Stanford, of Blacklick, Ohio, who most recently served as the special assistant to the Superintendent of Columbus Public Schools, will serve as the education policy executive assistant.
Office of Legislative Affairs
Former Representative Bill Hartnett, of Mansfield, will serve as the legislative director for the governor’s office.
Mike Culp, of Columbus, who was the executive director of the Ohio Democratic Party and former chief of staff and communications director for the Ohio House Democratic Caucus and statehouse reporter for Gannett News Service, will serve as deputy legislative director.
Tamiyka L. Koger, a native of Bedford Heights, Ohio, who worked as a legislative aid to then Minority Leader Chris Redfern and aide in the Ohio House for six years, will be serving as legislative liaison in the governor’s office.
Office of Communications
Jess Goode, a Warren County native, will serve as communications director. Goode previously served as Strickland’s congressional press secretary and district director.
Keith Dailey, a Cuyahoga County native, who has been press secretary both in the gubernatorial campaign and during the transition, will be the governor’s press secretary.
Amanda Wurst, a Columbus native, who recently worked on Mary Jo Kilroy’s campaign for Congress and Charlie Wilson’s write-in campaign for Congress, will serve as deputy communications director.
Jesse Taylor, a native of Dayton, who served as the online communications director for both the gubernatorial campaign and transition, will continue in that role in the governor’s office.
Stephen Hightower, of Middletown, Ohio, who served as the Franklin County field director for Strickland’s gubernatorial campaign, will serve as media events coordinator in the governor’s office.
Office of Faith-Based Initiatives
Angela Woodson, of Cleveland, faith-outreach statewide director for the gubernatorial campaign, will work in the governor’s office of faith based initiatives in Cleveland.
Shandell Jamal, of Columbus, who served as scheduler and deputy statewide minority outreach director during Strickland’s gubernatorial campaign and as an aide to Congressman Tim Ryan, will serve in the governor’s office of faith based initiatives.
Office of Scheduling
Betsy O’Grady Becker, of Columbus, who was director of scheduling on Strickland’s gubernatorial campaign and was formerly a K-12 teacher and program director of Kids Voting, will serve as scheduler in the governor’s office.
Carolyn Jones, of Marietta, who served as a member of Strickland’s Congressional staff since 1997 as a scheduler, caseworker and administrative staff, will work in the governor’s scheduling office.