© 2025 Michigan State University Board of Trustees
Public Media from Michigan State University
DONATE
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Governor-Elect Whitmer Names 10 Department Heads

WKAR Public Media | By Kevin Lavery
Published December 27, 2018 at 3:50 PM EST
Gretchen Whitmer
1 of 11
Governor-Elect Gretchen Whitmer has named 10 department heads to her incoming administration.
Amanda Pinckney / WKAR-MSU
Heidi Washington
2 of 11
Michigan Department of Corrections director Heidi Washington will remain in her post.
Courtesy / Whitmer Transition Team
Paul Ajegba
3 of 11
Paul Ajegba will direct the Michigan Department of Transportation.
Courtesy / Whitmer Transition Team
Liesl Eichler Clark
4 of 11
Liesl Eichler Clark will direct the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality.
Courtesy / Whitmer Transition Team
Daniel Eichinger
5 of 11
Daniel Eichinger will direct the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.
Courtesy / Whitmer Transition Team
Gary McDowell
6 of 11
Gary McDowell will direct the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.
Courtesy / Whitmer Transition Team
Orlene Hawks
7 of 11
Orlene Hawks will direct the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs.
Courtesy / Whitmer Transition Team
Anita Fox
8 of 11
Anita Fox will direct the Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services.
Courtesy / Whitmer Transition Team
Lisa McCormick
9 of 11
Lisa McCormick will direct the Office of Children's Ombudsman.
Courtesy / Whitmer Transition Team
Brig. General Paul Rogers
10 of 11
Brigadier General Paul Rogers will direct the Michigan Department of Military and Veterans Affairs.
Courtesy / Whitmer Transition Team
Captain Joe Gasper
11 of 11
Captain Joe Gasper will direct the Michigan State Police.
Courtesy / Whitmer Transition Team

Michigan Governor-Elect Gretchen Whitmer has announced the names of 10 incoming department heads.

Only one of Whitmer’s 10 appointees, corrections director Heidi Washington, is an incumbent. 

Paul Ajegba will lead the Michigan Department of Transportation.  Liesl Eichler Clark will serve as head of the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality.  Daniel Eichinger will direct the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.  The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development will be led by Gary McDowell.  Orlene Hawks will be the new director of the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs and Anita Fox will head the Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services.

Former Ingham County chief assistant prosecutor Lisa McCormick will direct the Office of Children’s Ombudsman.  Additionally, Brigadier General Paul Rogers will direct the Michigan Department of Military and Veterans Affairs and Captain Joe Gasper will direct the Michigan State Police.

Governor-Elect Whitmer and her team will be sworn into office on Tuesday.

 
Tags
WKAR News Gretchen Whitmer
Kevin Lavery
Kevin Lavery served as a general assignment reporter and occasional local host for Morning Edition and All Things Considered before retiring in 2023.
See stories by Kevin Lavery
Related Content
Together we’ve already reduced WKAR’s $1.6 million budget gap created by the loss of federal funding. With your sustaining support we can close the remaining $500,000 gap and keep trusted public media strong for mid-Michigan. The best way to support WKAR is to become a sustainer. Already a sustainer? Please consider upgrading your current monthly gift.
DONATE to close the gap