Great Lakes Wire

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D-Mich.) revealed that Heather Kevnick will be her new director of public affairs, and Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist (D-Mich.) named Jessica Brousseau as his new chief of staff.

JoAnne Huls, Whitmer's chief of staff, said Kevnick's resume speaks for itself, according to a press release from the governor's office.

"Heather will be a valuable addition to our team as director of public affairs," Huls said. "With her years of experience as a communications and public relations professional, she will continue building partnerships that put Michiganders first and move our state forward."

Kevnick, a graduate of the University of Michigan-Dearborn, worked with the New York District Council of Carpenters as contracts and agreements manager, the release said. Prior to that, she served as director of new media at Byrum & Fisk Communications; she was also involved with numerous media outlets in Michigan.

Gilchrist said that Brousseau is familiar with working as a civil servant, and her understanding of the inner workings of state government would serve citizens well.

"I am so excited to welcome Jessica, a familiar face, as my new chief of staff," Gilchrist said in the release. "Jessica brings years of experience in the executive office to the team, and I look forward to working with her to stand tall for Michiganders and deliver on the issues that matter most to working families, small businesses, and communities."