Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin rolls out more cabinet members, key staffers

Republican Virginia Governor-elect Glenn Youngkin is still working on building out his cabinet and staff with a mix of people who have a variety of qualifications ahead of his January 15 inauguration.

He announced several key appointees this week, including his chief of staff, counselor, secretary of veterans and defense affairs, and secretary of agriculture and forestry.

“I am excited to welcome this group of leaders with a record of experience and serving others. These qualified individuals with various backgrounds bring vast experience that ensure we will deliver on our Day One promises,” Youngkin said in a news release on Monday.

At that time, he rolled out the four key staffers. One of them was Jeff Goettman, who previously has served as the transition director post-election. According to the news release, Goettman has been tapped to serve as chief of staff.

Richard Cullen, a Richmond lawyer and former Virginia attorney general, was appointed to serve as counselor to the governor. Youngkin selected Craig Crenshaw, former Marine Corps major general, as the secretary of veterans and defense affairs of Virginia. He also added that Matt Lohr would serve as his secretary of agriculture and forestry.

Earlier this week, Youngkin announced other selections: Rebecca Glover of the Brunswick Group as deputy chief of staff and communications director; Eric Moeller, a partner at McKinsey & Company, as “chief transformation officer;” Joseph Guthrie, farm owner, former Fulbright Scholar, and instructor at Virginia Tech, as Commissioner of the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services; and Daniel Gade, retired lieutenant colonel in the Army and former U.S. Senate candidate, as Commissioner of the Department of Veterans Services. 

Youngkin defeated former Democratic Gov. Terry McAuliffe in the November election, and he was the first Republican elected to the office since 2009, when Bob McDonnell was declared the winner.

Also taking victory in November were Republican Lieutenant Governor Winsome Sears and Republican Attorney General Jason Miyares. Sears made Virginia history as the first black female elected to the position.