Governor Announces Cabinet and Staff Changes

Mar 1, 2024

by Liz Gullett

As MLC’s Communications and Social Media Manager, Liz Gullett keeps clients informed and up-to-date on the goings on in Lansing and the Capitol.

Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced a series of changes to members of her cabinet and key staff.

Marlon Brown, Director of the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs

    • After seven months of serving as acting director of LARA, effective immediately he will be the permanent director.
    • Prior to his appointment as acting director, he was the chief administrative officer. He’s also served as director of LARA’s Office of Policy and Legislative Affairs and held previous roles with the Michigan Supreme Court, the Department of Transportation, and the State Budget Office.
    • The appointment is subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.

Suzanna Shkreli, Lottery Commissioner

    • Effective March 1, Ms. Shkreli will serve as commissioner of the Lottery. The current acting commissioner, Jessica Weare, accepted a new position within state government.
    • Prior to the appointment, she served as director of Juvenile Justice Reform at the Department of Health and Human Services. Ms. Shkreli has previously worked as Michigan’s Children’s Ombudsman, deputy legal counsel in the Executive Office of the Governor, and an assistant prosecutive attorney with the Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office.
    • The appointment is subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.

Executive Office Staff

    • Sheila Marshall-Curtis, Chief Compliance Officer
    • Vignesh Meyyappan, Associate Legal Counsel
    • Stephanie O’Dea, Senior Education Advisor
    • Emma Young, Policy Analyst
    • Jayla Irons, Policy Assistant
    • Joseph Timmer, Appointment Specialist

Michigan Legislative Consultants is a bipartisan lobbying firm based in Lansing, Michigan. Our team of lobbyists and procurement specialists provide a wide range of services for some of the most respected companies in America. For more on MLC, visit www.mlcmi.com or connect with us on LinkedIn and Twitter.

Recent Posts

Michigan’s Minimum Wage Increasing January 1

Michigan’s Minimum Wage Increasing January 1

The next scheduled increase under Michigan’s Improved Workforce Opportunity Wage Act is set to occur on January 1, 2026. The Act covers all Michigan employers that have two or more employees, 16 years of age or older. Effective January 1: The minimum hourly wage will...

Democratic Caucus Responds to Revoked Funding

Democratic Caucus Responds to Revoked Funding

Members of the Senate Democratic Caucus took action this week following last week’s surprising decision by the House Appropriations Committee to cancel almost $645 million in ongoing funding to work projects. The projects were all approved during the FY25 budget...

Unemployment Benefit Rate Increasing

Unemployment Benefit Rate Increasing

On January 1, 2026, the maximum weekly rate for unemployment benefits is scheduled to increase from $446 to $530. The increase is part of bipartisan legislation that was signed into law in December 2024. Key Points: The amount an unemployed worker receives for each...

Looking for older articles?

We’ve recently made improvements to our blog to provide a better user experience. If you’re searching for older posts, click here to search our archive.

Michigan Legislative Consultants

Michigan Legislative Consultants
110 W. Michigan Avenue
Suite 500
Lansing, MI 48933
517.372.2560
517.372.0130 fax

1001 Woodward Avenue
Suite 500
Detroit, MI 48226

MLC is proud to be the Michigan member of NASL