Hogan Names Health Secretary, Other Posts
ANNAPOLIS, Md. (WJZ) --- He's less than one month away from inauguration and on Tuesday governor-elect, Larry Hogan, revealed some of the people he wants to see helping him run the state. Derek Valcourt has details on Hogan's newly announced cabinet picks.
Six of them in all were named on Tuesday, a group he calls diverse and bipartisan.
It has been exactly seven weeks since the election. Six new cabinet appointees joined governor-elect, Larry Hogan, at a press conference. Among them, Democrat and former Eastern Shore delegate, Van Mitchell. He's been tapped to head the state's largest agency, The Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.
Successful businessman, Jimmy Rhee comes to Maryland as special secretary of minority affairs. He once held the second spot in Virginia's commerce and trade department.
Ben Grumbles worked for years at the EPA and in Arizona's environmental quality department. He'll now serve as Maryland's Secretary of Environment.
Former Baltimore County council member and long-time delegate, Joe Bartenfelder, also a Democrat will be appointed as agriculture secretary.
Brigadier General Linda Singh was the first woman to lead the Maryland Army National Guard. She'll now serve as Maryland's General Adjutant, the state's top military officer.
And Charlie Evans Jr. once worked as the assistant secretary at DNR during the Ehrlich administration. He'll now return there, this time as its leader.
"I think the common theme here is they are incredibly passionate people that are smart who bring a fresh perspective," Hogan said.
Hogan's announcement came just after a two hour private meeting with outgoing Governor Martin O'Malley.
Hogan said their conversation focused primarily on Homeland Security and other security related matters.
Hogan still has several more cabinet positions to fill and less than a month to do it. His inauguration is set for Jan. 21.
The state Senate must approve all of the governor's cabinet appointees.
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