Virginia Gov.-elect Terry McAuliffe announced on Monday his choices for four key senior administration positions at the Capitol of Virginia in Richmond: Paul Reagan as Chief of Staff, Suzette Denslow as Deputy Chief of Staff, Secretary Ric Brown, who will stay on through at least the passage of the upcoming budget as Secretary of Finance, and Levar Stoney as Secretary of the Commonwealth.
“These four leaders represent decades of serving Virginia with passion, professionalism and pragmatism, and I am pleased that they will serve in my administration,” said McAuliffe. “Paul, Suzette, Ric, and Levar are the foundation of an administration that I am building for one purpose: to find common ground with leaders from both parties to create jobs, navigate the uncertainty that we face over the coming years, and maximize the opportunities we have to diversify and strengthen Virginia’s economy.”
Paul Reagan, Chief of Staff:
Paul Regan previously served as the chief of staff to U.S. senator jim webb and chief of staff to U.S. Congressman James P. Moran. Before joining Moran’s office, he served as communications director for U.S. Representatives L.F. Payne, Rick Boucher and Owen Pickett. Reagan also served as counsel to the House Science Subcommittee from 1993 to 1995 under its chairman, Representative Rick Boucher. At the state level, Reagan served as communications director for Governor Mark Warner from 2001 to 2005 where he helped to shape the Governor’s successful message on budget, education and government reform issues. Regan received his Bachelor’s Degree from the College of William and Mary and his law degree from George Mason University.
Suzette Denslow, Deputy Chief of Staff:
Suzette Denslow has been the Chief of Staff to Richmond Mayor Dwight C. Jones since he took office in 2009. Prior to that, she served as Legislative Director for Governors Mark Warner and Tim Kaine. In addition, she served as the Deputy Secretary of Education for Governor L. Douglas Wilder and held the role of Deputy Director of the Virginia Municipal League and the Director of the Tennessee Municipal League. She received her Master’s degree in Public Administration at the University of Virginia and her undergraduate degree in Urban Studies from Virginia Commonwealth University.
Secretary Ric Brown, Secretary of Finance:
Secretary Ric Brown has served as the Secretary of Finance since August 2008, when he was appointed by Governor Tim Kaine. Brown was reappointed by Governor Bob McDonnell in 2010. Brown entered state service in 1971 as an Economist with the Division of State Planning and Community Affairs, where he served as staff to numerous legislative and executive study commissions including: the Revenue Resources and Economic Study Commission, the National and Dulles Airports Acquisition Study Commission, and Governor Holton’s Task Force on Financing the Standards of Quality in Public Education. In 1976, Mr. Brown moved to the newly created Department of Planning and Budget, and later served as Director of the Department of Planning and Budget under Governors Mark Warner and Tim Kaine. He 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.
Levar Stoney, Secretary of the Commonwealth:
Levar Stoney served as McAuliffe’s Deputy Campaign Manager during his 2013 gubernatorial campaign. Prior to that, Stoney served as the Executive Director of the Democratic Party of Virginia from 2006-2009, and as the Political Director of gubernatorial candidate Creigh Deeds’ 2009 campaign. Stoney is a graduate of James Madison University.
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