The Office of the Governor of the State of Virginia

02/05/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 02/05/2026 13:52

Governor Spanberger Announces Additional Staff Appointments

For Immediate Release: February 5, 2026
Contact: [email protected]

Governor Spanberger Announces Additional Staff Appointments

Governor Spanberger: "These Exceptional Professionals Will Help Deliver the Commonsense Leadership That Virginians Deserve"

RICHMOND, VA - Governor Abigail Spanberger today announced additional appointments in the Office of the Governor, state agency leadership, and secretariat staff.

"Our administration has hit the ground running to deliver on the priorities Virginians voted for this past November: lowering costs for families, growing Virginia's economy, and building a stronger, safer, and more affordable Commonwealth for all," said Governor Abigail Spanberger. "I know these exceptional professionals will help deliver the commonsense leadership that Virginians deserve. I trust them to serve the people of our Commonwealth with integrity, dedication, and a tireless commitment to improving the lives of their fellow citizens."

OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR

  • Grant Neely, Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy and Communications
  • Beau Cribbs, Chief Speechwriter and Deputy Communications Director

ADMINISTRATION

  • Janet Lawson, Director, Department of Human Resource Management

COMMERCE & TRADE

  • Kristen Dahlman, Deputy Secretary

EDUCATION

  • Anne Hyslop, Deputy Secretary
  • Holly Coy, Chief of Staff, Department of Education

HEALTH & HUMAN RESOURCES

  • David Brown, Director, Department of Health Professions
  • Steve Ford, Director, Department of Medical Assistance Services
  • Nedra Moncrief-Craig, Commissioner, Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services

LABOR

  • Asif Bhavnagri, Assistant Secretary
  • Melissa Smith, Commissioner, Virginia Employment Commission
  • Joanna Darcus, Deputy Commissioner, Virginia Employment Commission
  • Nicholas Toth, Deputy Commissioner, Department of Workforce Development and Advancement

NATURAL & HISTORIC RESOURCES

  • Roger Kirchen, Director, Department of Historic Resources
  • Elizabeth Tune, Deputy Director, Department of Historic Resources
  • Jonathan Rak, Deputy Director, Department of Environmental Quality

PUBLIC SAFETY & HOMELAND SECURITY

  • Harvey Powers, Chief Deputy Director, Department of Criminal Justice Services
  • Jermiah Fitz, Chief Deputy Director, Department of Corrections

VETERANS & DEFENSE AFFAIRS

  • Sloane Rose, Deputy Commissioner, Department of Veterans Services

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The Office of the Governor of the State of Virginia published this content on February 05, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on February 05, 2026 at 19:52 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]