Seal of the Governor
For Immediate Release: March 1, 2019
Contacts: Alenaa Yarmosky, Alena.Yarmosky@governor.virginia.gov

Governor Northam Announces Administration Appointments

RICHMOND—Governor Ralph Northam announced additional appointments to his Administration today.

Secretariat of Natural Resources

Meryem Karad, Special Assistant for Policy and Communications to the Secretary of Natural Resources
Meryem Karad has been appointed Special Assistant for Policy and Communications to the Secretary of Natural Resources. Prior to her appointment, Meryem served as Assistant to the Secretary of Natural Resources under Governor Ralph Northam and Governor Terry McAuliffe. Previously, Meryem worked for ExxonMobil and the American Thyroid Association. Meryem received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Philosophy, Policy, and Law from the University of Virginia.

Katie Sallee, Special Assistant to the Secretary of Natural Resources
Katie Sallee has been appointed Special Assistant to the Secretary of Natural Resources. Prior to her appointment, Katie was a field organizer for the League of Conservation Voters and previously served as a legislative intern in the office of Delegate Betsy Carr. Katie earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Oklahoma State University and a Master of Social Work from Virginia Commonwealth University.

Secretariat of the Commonwealth
Board Appointments

Joint Leadership Council of Veterans Service Organizations

  • James R. Barrett of Henrico, Retired, Virginia Department of Transportation

State Rehabilitation Council for the Blind and Vision Impaired

  • Tammy Burns of Midlothian, Family Support Specialist, Parent Educational Advocacy Training Center (PEATC)

Virginia Criminal Sentencing Commission

  • Kemba Smith Pradia* of Richmond, National Public Speaker and Criminal Justice Advocate
  • The Honorable Shannon L. Taylor* of Henrico, Commonwealth’s Attorney for Henrico County

Virginia Military Advisory Council

  • Susan Acevedo Moyer of Powhatan, Program Director, Prior Learning and Military & Veterans Services, Academic and Workforce Programs, Virginia Community College System

*denotes reappointment

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