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Governor Kaine Announces Appointments to Governor's Office, Commerce and Trade, Health and Human Resources, and the Technology Secretariats

RICHMOND – Governor Timothy M. Kaine today announced additional appointments to his staff and several Cabinet-level offices.

David N. Smith of Richmond will serve as Deputy Secretary of Commerce and Trade. Smith previously served as Vice President of Commercial Lending at Consolidated Bank and Trust.

Rick Siger of Pittsburgh, PA, will serve as Deputy Secretary of Commerce and Trade. Siger previously served as Director of Operations on the Transition team and as Director of Advance and Trip Director on Governor Kaine’s successful gubernatorial campaign.

Stephen W. Harms of Richmond will serve as Deputy Secretary of Health and Human Resources, a position in which he has previously served. Harms served 20 years on the staff of the General Assembly, for both the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission and the Senate Finance Committee.

Gail D. Jaspen of Manakin will serve as Deputy Secretary of Health and Human Resources. Jaspen served in Governor Warner’s administration as Chief Deputy Director of the Department of Health Professions, as well as Deputy Counselor to the Governor and Special Assistant for Policy. Her career in state government also includes more than 15 years with the Virginia Attorney General’s Office.

Judith G. Napier of Portsmouth will continue to serve as Deputy Secretary of Technology. Napier previously served as Assistant Secretary of Technology, and has 28 years of experience in state government.

J. Timothy Bass of Chesapeake will serve as Deputy Secretary of Technology and Enterprise Applications Program Director. Bass previously served as Chief Technology and Security Officer (CTSO) for the Virginia Retirement System.

Sindy Benavides of Alexandria will serve as Deputy Director of Constituent Services and Latino Liaison. Previously, Benavides served as Special Assistant to Constituent Services for the Transition Team and Latino Outreach Director for the Virginia Coordinated Campaign in 2005.

Amy Bridge of Roanoke will continue to serve as Director of the Executive Mansion, a position she has held since 2002. Bridge previously served as the Director of Virginia Opera.

Asha Holloman of Richmond will serve as Director of the Office of the First Lady. Previously, Holloman served as Assistant to the Mansion Director and Special Assistant in the Office of Constituent Services.

Kevin Roberts of Roanoke will continue to serve as Executive Chef for the Executive Mansion, a position he has held since May 2004. Prior to that, he was a chef with the catering company A Sharper Pallette, and he has extensive restaurant experience.

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