Gov. Mark Parkinson has named a team of three to spearhead the transition to the new administration of incoming Gov. Sam Brownback.
Parkinson tapped Lt. Gov. Troy Findley and Chief of Staff Rae Anne Davis to serve as the primary Governor’s Office liaisons with the Brownback team over the next nine weeks and J. Russell Jennings to serve as the cabinet transition director.
“Both Sam and I are committed to a smooth transition so that Kansans will not see a delay in the delivery of state government services,” Parkinson said in a prepared statement. “I appreciate Troy, Rae Anne and Russ taking on this responsibility and my administration remains committed to providing any help we can to the governor-elect and his team.”
Findley, who was chief of staff for former Gov. Kathleen Sebelius, was involved in the transition of administrations from former Gov. Bill Graves to Sebelius following her election.
Davis, a 15 year veteran of state government, and Findley will stay in their current jobs in addition to their transition duties.
Jennings, commissioner of the Juvenile Justice Authority (JJA) for almost four years, will focus solely on the transition, administration officials said.
Jennings will serve as a liaison among the numerous incoming and outgoing cabinet secretaries and help facilitate meetings among the two teams.
He will be responsible for the exchange of important policy information, ensure tours are provided, and spearhead briefings.
Dennis Casarona, current deputy commissioner of JJA, will serve as acting commissioner until Brownback names a replacement.
Former KDHE Secretary Roderick Bremby was offered the job of cabinet transition director, but declined and instead left state government.
The Brownback campaign is expected to announce its transition team at a Statehouse press conference on Wednesday.