FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 8, 2006
Contact: Vivian Myrtetus 850-508-2654
—Announces Transition Leadership—
ST. PETERSBURG — At a morning news conference Governor-elect Charlie Crist, accompanied by Lieutenant Governor-Elect Jeff Kottkamp, thanked Florida voters for their support and confidence in him and announced the initial details of the gubernatorial transition.
“I am deeply grateful and humbled by the confidence the people of our great state have placed in me.” Crist said. “I pledge to work tirelessly to earn the trust placed in me by the citizens of our state.”
During the news conference, Crist announced the senior management structure of his transition team, making the following appointments:
Roberto Martínez, Chair of the Transition: Mr. Martínez is a shareholder in the Colson Hicks Eidson law firm. He is a member of the State Board of Education, and formerly served as Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Miami-Dade College, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, the Chairman of Attorney General-Elect Crist’s Transition Team in 2002 and the General Counsel of Governor-Elect Jeb Bush’s Transition Team in 1998.
Kathleen Shanahan, Vice-Chair of the Transition: Ms. Shanahan is the Chief Executive Officer of the WRS Infrastructure and Environment, Inc. She is a member of the State Board of Education, and formerly served as Chief of Staff for Governor Jeb Bush, Senior Vice President Public Affairs/Government Relations with Paine Webber Incorporated, Deputy Secretary of Economic Development with the California Trade Commerce Agency, Senior Vice President with The Wexler Group, Special Assistant to Vice President George H.W. Bush, Staff Assistant with President Reagan’s National Security Council, and Chief of Staff for Vice President Cheney.
George LeMieux, Transition Executive Director: Mr. LeMieux has been the Chief of Staff for the Crist-Kottkamp Campaign. He served as the Chief of Staff and Deputy Attorney General for the State of Florida from 2003 through 2006. LeMieux oversaw more than 450 lawyers and 1,300 total staff. From 1994 through 2003 he was a member of the Gunster, Yoakley & Stewart law firm, most recently as a shareholder managing the firm’s litigation practice in the Fort Lauderdale. He will oversee the transition of the Executive Office of the Governor.
Christopher Kise, Transition Deputy Executive Director: Mr. Kise is a partner in the law firm of Foley & Lardner LLP and chair of its National Appellate Practice. Kise served as Florida’s Solicitor General from 2003 through 2006 and held the Richard W. Ervin Eminent Scholar Chair at the Florida State University College of Law. In 2002, he served as the Executive Director of Attorney General-Elect Crist’s Transition Team. Kise will among other things be responsible for the transition of the General Counsel’s office.
Monesia Brown, Transition Director for the Lieutenant Governor-Elect: Ms. Brown has recently served as the Director of Legislative Affairs and Special Counsel to Attorney General Charlie Crist. She is currently on a leave of absence from that position and will resign effective Monday, November 13, 2006. She formerly served as Special Counsel to the General Counsel at the Department of Business and Professional Regulation, and as the General Counsel at the Department of Management Services.
Dean Colson, Transition Chair of Appointments: Mr. Colson is a partner in the law firm of Colson Hicks Eidson. He is the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the University of Miami and previously served as Chairman of the University’s Executive Committee, Chairman of the Academic Affairs Committee and Chairman of the Law School’s Visiting Committee. In 2000, Mr. Colson was appointed by Governor Jeb Bush to the Florida Commission on Ethics. Two years later, Mr. Colson was appointed by Governor Bush to the Florida Supreme Court Judicial Nominating Commission, and in 2004 he was elected its Chairman. In 1995, he received the Mayor of Miami’s “Citizen of the Year” award for his commitment to the betterment of his community.
Arlene DiBenigno, Transition Director of Appointments: Ms. DiBenigno has been the Political Director for the Crist-Kottkamp Campaign. She formerly served in two senior-level positions in the Office of Governor Jeb Bush. From 2000 through 2002, Ms. DiBenigno was External Affairs Director where she managed the scheduling, community and outreach operations for Governor Bush. From 1999 to 2000, she was the Appointments Director, responsible for advising the Governor on all senior administration positions as well as executive appointments to state boards and commissions. She has advised various presidential campaigns on Florida politics and Cuba policy since 1992.
Vivian Myrtetus, Transition Communications Director: Ms. Myrtetus served as Press Secretary for the Crist-Kottkamp campaign since last November. Before joining the campaign, Myrtetus worked as Deputy Communications Director for the Office of the Attorney General, Communications Director for the Department of Education, and served as spokesperson for the Florida Department of Agriculture. Prior to that, she spent many years in the private sector managing communications programs for mid and large-sized organizations, as well as, more than a decade working in broadcast television news. Myrtetus received her Bachelors degree in Communications from San Francisco State University in 1992.
Garrett Walton, Transition Advisor: Mr. Walton is an attorney and businessman in Pensacola, Florida. Mr. Walton’s business interests include real estate and investments. From 1977 to 1994, Mr. Walton was a partner and shareholder in the Emmanuel, Sheppard & Condon law firm in Pensacola. Mr. Walton received both his undergraduate and law degrees at the University of Missouri and an L.L.M. in Taxation from New York University. He and his wife Catherine have two children. Mr. Walton was one of the founders, and for the past two years full time, volunteer director of Rebuild Northwest Florida, a not-for-profit disaster recovery organization assisting need based hurricane victims in West Florida.
Clarence McKee, Transition Advisor: Mr. McKee is a member of the Ruden McClosky law firm. He has an extensive background of accomplishment and expertise in law, media, corporate, government, legislative and political affairs. He has applied his experience meeting challenges and solving problems in a wide range of disciplines including broadcasting, government, public and community relations, diversity, affirmative action and marketing. He is particularly skilled in the effective use of electronic and print media. His articles on political and current events have appeared in national and Florida news publications. In addition, Mr. McKee is a Florida Supreme Court Certified Mediator and Qualified Arbitrator. He served on President Reagan’s transition team, and he currently serves as Team Leader for the Federal Home Loan Banking Board.
At the news conference Crist also announced the standards that will guide the appointments to his administration:
The Crist-Kottkamp Transition team will make additional announcements in the near future.
To inquire about joining the Crist administration, please call 850-410-0174 or toll-free 1-888-352-4681. You can also visit our website www.CristTransition.com .
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