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Governor Tim Kaine Appoints Secretary of Health and Human Resources, Secretary of Finance
- Announces Director of Planning and Budget Richard Brown to Retain Post -

Richmond – Governor-elect Tim Kaine today announced that Marilyn Tavenner will serve as Secretary of Health and Human Resources and Jody Wagner will serve as Secretary of Finance in his cabinet. Kaine also announced that Richard Brown will continue as the Director of the Department of Planning and Budget; he was appointed to the post in 2002. Brown has served in the Department of Planning and Budget since its inception in 1976.

Tavenner brings over 30 years of experience working in Virginia’s health care system to her appointment. Starting her career as a staff nurse, the Southside native rose from a direct service provider through the health care management structure. She currently is the Group President of Outpatient Services for the Hospital Corporation of America (HCA). Kaine noted Tavenner’s long-standing commitment to providing high-quality healthcare to Virginians and her experience at multiple levels of the healthcare system.

“Marilyn has spent three decades working to ensure the good health of Virginians,” Kaine said. “Her experience spans clinical and business aspects of healthcare in rural and urban settings. Her skills, insight, and commitment will be a tremendous asset in the face of the healthcare challenges we will encounter in the coming years.”

Wagner currently serves as the Treasurer of Virginia. She will be the first woman to serve as the Secretary of Finance in Virginia. As Treasurer, Wagner has been responsible for debt issuance and management, cash management and investments, risk management, unclaimed property, and other banking and administrative functions for the Commonwealth.

“Jody played a key role in righting Virginia’s finances and preserving our AAA bond rating during the budget crisis,” Kaine said. “With her knowledge, experience, and understanding of Virginia’s economy, Virginia will stay on the right fiscal track.”

Brown brings nearly 35 years of experience working in state government planning and budgeting to his post. Kaine noted his in-depth understanding of Virginia’s budget history and planning.

“Ric has been and will continue to be a strong member of Virginia’s financial management team,” Kaine said. “His years of experience in the Department of Planning and Budget give him a unique and valuable perspective on Virginia’s fiscal needs.”

Marilyn Tavenner, Secretary of Health and Human Resources, 54. Born and raised in Southside Virginia, Tavenner brings over thirty years of experience in Virginia’s health care system to the post. Tavenner graduated from a diploma school of nursing at Roanoke Memorial Hospital, and then completed her degree in nursing as well as her Masters in Health Administration from the Medical College of Virginia. She spent over twenty years working as a Staff Nurse, Nursing Supervisor, Assistant Director of Nursing and then Director of Nursing, before becoming the CEO of Johnston-Willis Hospital in Richmond.

Tavenner has also held positions as the Richmond Market President for HCA, overseeing five facilities in the Richmond area with 1,600 beds and a staff of 4,600, and as the President of HCA’s Central Atlantic Division, where she assumed responsibility for 20 hospitals and 4 ambulatory surgery centers. She is currently the Group President of Outpatient Services for HCA.

Jody M. Wagner, Secretary of Finance, 50. Wagner came to Treasury from Kaufman & Canoles, P.C., in Norfolk, bringing twenty-one years of legal experience primarily in securities, corporate and banking law. She was appointed Treasurer in 2002.

Wagner obtained her graduate degree in Law at Vanderbilt University School of Law, Nashville, Tennessee, and her undergraduate degree in Economics at Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois. She was admitted to the Tennessee Bar in 1980 and the Virginia Bar in 1984.

As Treasurer of Virginia, Wagner led the effort to securitize 50% of the tobacco MSA settlements and create the $390 million endowment for the Tobacco Indemnification Commission. Wagner is currently the President of the National Association of State Treasurers and Chairman of the Treasury Board, and serves on the boards of the Virginia Port Authority, Virginia Housing Development Authority, Virginia Public School Authority, Virginia College Building Authority, Virginia Resources Authority, and Virginia Small Business Financing Authority.

Richard Brown, Director of Planning and Budget, 59. Brown, a native of Arlington County, received a B.A. Degree in Economics from the College of William and Mary and a Masters of Commerce Degree from the University of Richmond.

Brown entered state government service in 1971 as an economist with the Division of State Planning and Community Affairs before moving to the newly created Department of Planning and Budget (DPB) in 1976. He was promoted in 1986 to budget manager for DPB's Commerce and Resources Section, later heading up DPB's Budget Operations Section, becoming Deputy Director for Budgeting in 1990. He became acting director of the Department of Planning and Budget on June 1, 2001, and was appointed director of the agency in 2002.

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