Seal of the Governor
For Immediate Release: June 25, 2021
Contacts: Office of the Governor: 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

Katie Sallee, Special Assistant for Policy and Communications to the Secretary of Natural Resources
Katie Sallee has been appointed Special Assistant for Policy and Communications to the Secretary of Natural Resources. She has served as Special Assistant to the Secretary of Natural Resources since March 2019. Prior to joining the Northam Administration, Katie was a field organizer for the League of Conservation Voters and 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 degree from Virginia Commonwealth University.

Secretariat of the Commonwealth

Dana Legere, Special Assistant for Constituent Services and Community Engagement
Dana Legere has been appointed Special Assistant for Constituent Services and Community Engagement. She has served in the Office of Constituent Services and Community Engagement since September 2020. Prior to joining the Northam Administration, she served as the Virginia Community College System representative on Governor McAuliffe’s Civic Engagement Task Force. Dana received her Bachelor of Science degree in Health Sciences from James Madison University and her Associates Degree from John Tyler Community College.

Austin Walker, Special Assistant for Clemency
Austin Walker has been appointed Special Assistant for Clemency. Prior to joining the Northam Administration, Austin was a legislative intern in the office of State Senator Jennifer McClellan. Austin holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and Foreign Affairs from the University of Virginia and a Master of Social Work degree from Virginia Commonwealth University with a focus in administration, planning, and policy practice. She is a native of Rockingham County and resides in the City of Richmond.

Board Appointments

Advisory Board on Occupational Therapy

  • Raziuddin Ali* of Midlothian, Physician, Wellpath
     

Aquaculture Advisory Board 

  • Martin Gardner of Martinsville, Vice President of Business Development, Blue Ridge Aquaculture, Inc.
  • Michael J. Oesterling* of Gloucester, Executive Director, Shellfish Growers of Virginia

Board of Historic Resources

  • Trip Pollard* of Midlothian, Land and Community Program Leader, Southern Environmental Law Center

Eastern Virginia Medical School Board of Visitors

  • Guy R. “Rusty” Friddell III of Norfolk, Executive Vice President, Landmark Media Enterprises, LLC

Judicial Review and Inquiry Commission

  • Reverend Cozy Bailey of Dumfries, President, Prince William County NAACP
  • Kyung (Kathryn) Dickerson of Fairfax, Partner, SmolenPlevy

Southwest Virginia Energy Research and Development Authority

  • Lydia Sinemus* of Bristol, Corporate Director of Human Resources and Environmental Health and Safety, Strongwell Corporation

State Air Pollution Control Board 

  • Joshua G. Behr of Norfolk, Research Professor, Virginia Modeling, Analysis and Simulation Center, Old Dominion University
  • Richard D. Langford* of Christiansburg, Retired Chemical Engineer and Owner, Langford Accounting, LLC

State Water Control Board

  • Tim Hayes* of Bruington, Retired Partner, Hunton & Williams LLP
  • Lou Ann Jessee-Wallace* of St. Paul, Russell County Board of Supervisors, District II

Virginia College Savings Plan

  • Dante Jackson* of North Chesterfield, Vice President, Atlantic Union Bank Wealth Management

*denotes reappointment

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