Governor Whitmer Bids Farewell to Chief of Staff JoAnne Huls

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 17, 2026

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Governor Whitmer Bids Farewell to Chief of Staff JoAnne Huls

Huls to become senior advisor; Gov. Whitmer names Zack Pohl as chief of staff

LANSING, Mich. - Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced new promotions in the executive office, as well as the departure of longtime Chief of Staff JoAnne Huls on July 31. Huls will continue to serve as a senior adviser to the administration.

"For almost eight years, JoAnne has served the people of Michigan with strength, courage, and professionalism," said Governor Whitmer. "She was by my side through it all, acting as an effective and decisive leader and helping us make historic progress to fix the damn roads, create jobs, and more. JoAnne is a dear friend, and I'm grateful she will continue to serve Michigan as my senior adviser. I'm excited to promote Zack Pohl to be my next chief of staff. He's been on the team since my 2018 campaign, and he's a clear strategic thinker who steps up every day for Michiganders. I'm looking forward to working with him as we run through the finish line. Let's keep getting things done."

"It's been a true honor to serve the people of Michigan for the last seven-and-a-half years alongside the best team in the country," said JoAnne Huls. "I'm proud of everything we've accomplished to make Michigan a better place to live, work, and raise a family. I'm looking forward to continuing to help the governor deliver for Michiganders in this new role."

"I'm incredibly grateful to have served alongside JoAnne over the last two terms, and her example will continue to guide our work here in the governor's office," said Zack Pohl. "It's an honor of a lifetime to serve as Chief of Staff. I can't wait to build on the progress we've made and keep getting things done for Michiganders."

Zack Pohl, Chief of Staff

Zack Pohl has been promoted to chief of staff, effective August 1. Throughout the governor's second term, Zack has served as principal deputy chief of staff, overseeing the communications, federal affairs, legislative affairs, policy, and scheduling divisions. Zack is a veteran of state government and political campaigns in Michigan. Prior to serving as communications director for the executive office and the governor's 2018 campaign, he worked for former U.S. Rep. Mark Schauer and the Michigan Senate Democratic Caucus. Zack is a graduate of Michigan State University, and lives in Okemos with his wife and two daughters.

Maria Martinez, Chief Deputy to the Governor

Maria Martinez has been promoted to Chief Deputy to the Governor, overseeing the federal affairs, external affairs, and appointments divisions. Since 2020, Maria has served the executive office in various roles, first as a deputy legal counsel and later as chief compliance officer before being promoted to deputy chief of staff in November 2023. She also formerly led the governor's legal team as acting chief legal counsel in addition to her role as chief compliance officer. Before joining the administration, she worked as an in-house counsel for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and as an attorney at Bodman PLC, a Detroit-based law firm. Maria is a proud Wolverine, receiving both her J.D. and undergraduate degrees from the University of Michigan.

Kara Cook, Deputy Chief of Staff

Kara Cook has been promoted to deputy chief of staff, overseeing the legislative affairs and policy divisions. Most recently, Kara served as director of legislative affairs. Previously, she was the state's chief climate and energy strategist, chief of staff at the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy, and a senior advisor on energy, natural resources, and environmental protection. In these roles, she delivered a bold agenda, including the adoption of Michigan's 100% clean energy standard and a sustainable $2 billion road and transit funding plan and led strategic initiatives including the effort to restart Palisades Nuclear Power Plant.

Emily Mellits, Director of External Affairs

Emily Mellits has been promoted to Director of External Affairs, combining public affairs and community engagement functions under one office, streamlining the administration's outreach and stakeholder engagement work. Mellits most recently served as Director of the Office of Community Engagement, where she led a results-driven, statewide team, translating the office's work into direct engagement with communities across Michigan. She joined the administration in early 2023 after previously serving as finance director and political organizer for the campaigns of Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson and Oakland County Executive Dave Coulter. Her career began in education as a Biology and Honors Chemistry teacher at Grosse Pointe North High School. Mellits is a proud graduate of Oakland University, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology with a teaching minor in Chemistry. She is a lifelong resident of Macomb County.

Carly Swanson, Deputy Director of External Affairs

Carly Swanson has been promoted to Deputy Director of External Affairs. Previously, she served as a community engagement specialist, covering a large portion of west and southwest Michigan including Grand Rapids, Muskegon, and Benton Harbor. Carly joined the Executive Office of the Governor in October of 2023 as the executive assistant to Chief of Staff JoAnne Huls and Principal Deputy Chief of Staff Zack Pohl. She previously worked in the Iowa legislature as clerk to state Legislator Molly Donahue in both the state House and state Senate. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Mass Communication from Drake University in 2023.

Victoria Houston, Senior External Affairs Specialist

Victoria Houston has been promoted to Senior External Affairs Specialist in the Office of External Affairs. She joined the Administration in the Office of Community Engagement in April 2024. In her role, she is responsible for stakeholder and relationship building in Wayne, Monroe, Lenawee, and Washtenaw Counties. In addition, she serves as the Office's point of contact for Organized Labor Unions statewide, supporting the Administration by amplifying priorities with stakeholders. Prior to the Administration, she served in Senator Gary Peters' Washington D.C. Office working on health, education, and labor policy. Victoria received her bachelor's degree in human resource management from the University of Toledo in 2021 and is a proud Downriver native.

Anna Cool, Senior External Affairs Specialist

Anna Cool has been promoted to Senior External Affairs Specialist. Anna joined the Executive Office of the Governor in May 2024 as a Community Engagement Specialist covering communities in South Central MI and statewide engagement with LGBTQ+ stakeholders. Before joining the administration, she served as a District Director/Scheduler in the Office of State Senator Sean McCann. Anna received her Bachelor of Arts in Social Relations and Policy and Comparative Cultures and Politics from James Madison College at Michigan State University in 2021.

Julia Evasic, Deputy Director of Advance

Julia Evasic has been promoted to deputy director of advance for Governor Whitmer. She first joined the executive office in 2022 as an advance associate and worked on the Governor's re-election campaign. Julia graduated from the University of Michigan Dearborn and earned a bachelor's degree in Political Science and Criminology & Criminal Justice.

Preston Weyland, Senior Deputy Director, Federal Affairs

Preston has been promoted to senior deputy director in the executive office's federal affairs office. He joined the federal affairs team in April of 2021 as manager for federal grants and appropriations. Over 15 years, Preston has acquired extensive experience in Federal and State government, including four years in the United States Senate working on Senator Mark Pryor's staff. He is a graduate of the University of Central Arkansas and holds a B.S. in Political Science.

Nathan Reynolds, Deputy Director of Federal Affairs

Nathan Reynolds has been promoted to deputy director of Federal Affairs. Nathan joined the Governor's office in 2019 and has served in multiple roles, including most recently as manager of federal grants and appropriations. Prior to joining the administration, he worked on Missouri Senator Claire McCaskill's reelection campaign. Nathan received his Bachelor of Arts in Politics from Occidental College.

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