More McDonnell appointments announced

RICHMOND- Virginia Governor-elect Bob McDonnell announced three additional appointments to his administration this morning in a press conference at the State Capitol.

McDonnell announced that Jim Duffey will serve as the Commonwealth’s next Secretary of Technology. Duffey worked for Electric Data Systems Corporation for 24 years, serving as Vice President and General Manager of U.S. Public Sector business, and is a former Vice-Chairman of the Northern Virginia Technology Council. McDonnell appointed Doug Domenech as Secretary of Natural Resources. Domenech served in a number of leadership roles in the United States Department of Interior, which manages nearly one-fifth of the land in the country, from 2001 to 2009. Domenech began his career in the forestry industry, later serving as a gubernatorial appointee to the Virginia Board of Forestry. Finally, McDonnell named former delegate Terrie Suit as Assistant to the Governor for Commonwealth Preparedness. While in the House of Delegates, Suit concentrated on business, housing and military issues. She serves on the Virginia Military Advisory Council.

McDonnell remarked about his Secretary-designate of Technology Jim Duffey, “Jim has worked around the globe at the highest levels in the information technology industry. During his time with Electronic Data Systems Corporation, Jim was based in Washington D.C., Rome, Spain, England and Australia. He has managed billion dollar budgets and thousands of employees. And he understands Virginia’s high tech community well through his recent leadership as Vice-Chairman of the Northern Virginia Technology Council. This broad experience has prepared Jim well for the position of Secretary of Technology. I am honored that Jim would agree to serve the citizens of Virginia in this capacity. With over 20 years of experience in the private sector Jim is a well-respected leader in his field and will be a positive addition to our Cabinet and Virginia state government.”

Speaking about his appointment of Doug Domenech as Secretary of Natural Resources, McDonnell said, “Doug has a long record of working to protect and promote the natural resources of our country and our Commonwealth. Doug graduated from Virginia Tech with a major in Forestry and Wildlife Management, went to work for the Forest Resources Association and eventually joined the U.S. Department of Interior where he rose to the number two staff position in the Secretary’s office. Doug brings a wealth of experience at both the state and national levels and joins with me in my commitment to preserving Virginia’s incredible natural beauty and resources, from the Shenandoah Valley to the Chesapeake Bay.”

McDonnell will keep the position of Assistant to the Governor for Commonwealth Preparedness as a Cabinet-level post, and noted about his appointment of Terrie Suit, “Terrie and I both represented Virginia Beach in the House of Delegates. During that time I witnessed Terrie’s leadership on matters directly affecting the safety and security of all Virginians, from military issues to providing better housing assistance for those in need to protecting victims of domestic violence. She served for nine years on the Virginia Military Advisory Council, carried legislation to provide in-state tuition for military members and dependents, and helped author legislation in response to the 2005 BRAC report. Terrie understands our security challenges not only as a former delegate, but also personally as a military wife of a Navy SEAL. She has great working relationships with military leaders across the state and understands the multiple threats from terrorism and natural disasters that face Virginia. I am delighted Terrie is willing to return to public service to work on behalf of the people of Virginia in our administration.”