RELEASE: Governor Whitmer Announces Cabinet, Commission, and Staff Updates?

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE?

June 30, 2023?

Governor Whitmer Announces Cabinet, Commission, and Staff Updates?

LANSING, Mich. ? Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced selections to lead the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) and Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC). The governor also announced promotions for staff in the executive office.???

?Phil Roos will bring decades of diverse experience to EGLE, helping the department live up to its mission and serve the people of Michigan,? said Governor Whitmer. ?I look forward to working with Phil and the team at EGLE to protect our water, land, and lakes for generations to come. Together, we will ensure that anyone can ?Make it in Michigan? and grow our state?s population and economy while safeguarding our precious natural resources.??

Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy??

Phil Roos, Director of EGLE?

Phil Roos has been selected as the director of EGLE. Roos is an entrepreneur, business leader, and a consultant with deep expertise in organizational strategy, innovation, and growth. He's currently the CEO of Upland, a strategic foresight, strategy, and innovation consultancy that he founded in 2015. He has held senior leadership positions in a number of companies, including Little Caesars and Quaker Oats as well as early stage companies and two other consulting firms, which he founded. He has a deep background in conservation and environmental protection. He is a graduate of the University of Michigan and Harvard Business School. Roos succeeds Dan Eichinger who resigned in April 2023.???

"I'm honored and excited to take on this important assignment at EGLE," said incoming EGLE Director Phil Roos. "We have a tremendous opportunity to seize the moment and take action to grow Michigan's economy, protect our land, air, and water?today and into the future?and improve the lives of the citizens of Michigan. I'm ready to work with anyone to make sure we do right for the people we all serve."?

Kara Cook, Chief of Staff at EGLE?

Kara Cook has been hired as chief of staff for EGLE. She has worked in various roles within the executive office, most recently serving as a senior policy advisor to Governor Whitmer focused in the areas of energy and environmental protection. Before joining the Executive Office of the Governor, Kara served on the Whitmer-Gilchrist transition, where she helped set an agenda for the Governor?s first 100 days in office. Previously, she worked in government affairs at the Michigan League of Conservation Voters. Cook holds a Bachelor of Science in Political Science from Grand Valley State University.??

Michigan Public Service Commission?

Alessandra Carreon, of Detroit, is a manager for Carbon-Free Transportation at RMI. Ms. Carreon leads an electric vehicle (EV) battery circularity initiative and projects that focus on equitable fleet electrification and accessible EV charging infrastructure. She draws from her experience in environmental, social, and corporate governance and sustainability within the automotive industry to consider EV life-cycle impacts when accelerating electrification.???

Prior to RMI, Ms. Carreon was the manager of the Responsible Material Sourcing for Ford Motor Company. She has also worked with Ford?s Global Sustainability team on corporate sustainability programs, and has a background in regulatory compliance, environmental consulting, social enterprise, and entrepreneurship. Previously, she served as board vice-chair for Ecoworks, as board president of The Villages Community Development Corporation, as corporate secretary of the End of Life Vehicle Solutions, as a steering committee member for the Detroit Climate Action Collaborative, and as a board member for the US Green Building Council ? Detroit.??

Ms. Carreon earned her Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from Rice University and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Michigan ? Ross School of Business. She is a licensed professional engineer in the State of California. Carreon will be the first Asian-American commissioner in state history. Ms. Carreon is appointed to represent Democrats, for a term commencing July 23, 2023 and expiring July 2, 2025. She succeeds Commissioner Tremaine Phillips who has resigned.?

Dan Scripps, of Northport, is a current commissioner with the Public Service Commission, appointed by Governor Whitmer in February 2019 and was named Chair in July 2020. Prior to his appointment, he was the Midwest policy program director for the Energy Foundation. Commissioner Scripps has also served as president of the Michigan Energy Innovation Business Council and Institute for Energy Innovation and as a vice president with Advanced Energy Economy. As an attorney, he practiced law in the Washington D.C. office of Latham & Watkins LLP, and served as a state representative for Benzie, Leelanau, Manistee, and Mason counties in the Michigan House of Representatives.?

As a commissioner, Mr. Scripps has been an active participant in multiple state energy advisory groups, including the Michigan Council on Climate Solutions, the Upper Peninsula Energy Task Force, the Michigan Dam Safety Task Force, and an Interdepartmental Workgroup on Propane Security. Chair Scripps currently serves as president of both the Organization of MISO States and the Mid-America Regulatory Conference. He previously chaired the Regional Expansion Criteria and Benefits Working Group for the Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO).??

Commissioner Scripps is a member of the Board of Directors of the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC) and serves on the Joint Federal-State Task Force on Electric Transmission and the Task Force on Emergency Preparedness, Recovery, and Resiliency. He is a member of NARUC's Committees on Critical Infrastructure, Gas, and International Relations, and the Washington Action Program.??

Mr. Scripps earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Alma College and his Juris Doctorate from the University of Michigan Law School. Mr. Scripps is reappointed to represent Democrats and is designated to continue serving as chair, for a term commencing July 3, 2023 and expiring July 2, 2029.?

The mission of the Michigan Public Service Commission is to ensure safe, reliable, and accessible energy and telecommunications services at reasonable rates for Michigan residents.??

These appointments are subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.?

Carreon

Carreon Headshot?

Scripps Headshot?

Executive Office Staff???

In addition to selecting new leadership at state departments, Governor Whitmer announced staff changes on her executive team. Patti Tremblay will assume the role of director of legislative affairs as Curtis Hertel, Jr will be departing the executive office after successfully leading negotiations on behalf of the Governor, securing the historic ?Make it in Michigan? budget for the State of Michigan for Fiscal Year 2024. Rachel Plawecki will take a senior leadership role within the administration as director of special projects. Stacey LaRouche has been promoted to press secretary within the Governor?s communications division.??

?I am so grateful to my friend Curtis Hertel, Jr. for his service to the State of Michigan and for everything he has done bringing Republicans and Democrats together to make a real difference in people?s lives. Curtis helped deliver $1 billion in tax cuts for Michiganders by securing a repeal of the retirement tax and expanding the Working Families Tax Credit. He led efforts to create thousands of good-paying American jobs, bringing investment and supply chains back home from overseas.?And every Michigander now has more freedom and rights thanks to Curtis?s work in the legislature to strengthen the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act,? said Governor Whitmer. ?I am so excited to continue working with Patti, Rachel, and Stacey in their new roles. These three incredible women have done terrific work over the last few years, and I look forward to seeing what we can accomplish in the years ahead. Let?s get it done.??

Patti Tremblay, Director of Legislative Affairs??

Patti Tremblay will assume the role of director of legislative affairs. Within the Whitmer Administration, Patti served as the office of legal counsel?s point person on legislation and the budget and was the deputy director of legislative affairs. She previously served as legal counsel for the Michigan House of Representatives Democratic Caucus. She is a graduate of Michigan State University Law School.?

Rachel Plawecki, Director of Special Projects?

Rachel Plawecki will take a senior leadership role within the administration as director of special projects. Rachel previously served as director of appointments, director of constituent services and deputy director of correspondence. Before her time at Governor Whitmer?s office, she served as deputy legislative director for former House Democratic Leader Christine Greig and legislative director for then-state Representative Darrin Camilleri. She holds a bachelor?s degree from Michigan State University and a master?s degree from the Yale School of Environment.?????

Stacey LaRouche, Press Secretary??

Stacey LaRouche has been promoted to press secretary. Previously, she served as chief deputy press secretary, deputy press secretary, and communications assistant in the executive office. She is a graduate of Michigan State University's James Madison College.???

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