Governor-elect Carney reveals cabinet selections

With a little less than a month before he takes office, Governor-elect John Carney announced Dec. 13 cabinet nominations for his administration.

Mike Jackson, currently Delaware’s deputy controller general, will be nominated as director of the Office of Management and Budget, a position that oversees development of the state budget. The position also manages human resources across state government, the state’s pension investments, benefit plans for state employees, state facilities and government support services.

Perry Phelps will be nominated for commissioner of Department of Correction. He has served as deputy commissioner since January 2015, helping oversee a department with more than 2,500 employees that supervises more than 6,500 inmates in the state’s correctional facilities.

Jennifer Cohan will be nominated to continue serving as secretary of the Delaware Department of Transportation. Gov. Jack Markell appointed Cohan in January 2015 after eight years as director of the Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles.

Jeffrey Bullock would remain as secretary of state, where he oversees 18 different agencies, including the divisions of corporations, historic and cultural affairs, arts, libraries, veterans, and professional regulation. Bullock was first nominated by Markell in January 2009.

Nominations to the governor’s cabinet must be confirmed by the Senate.

On Dec. 12, Carney has also announced key staffing appointments for his incoming administration.

Danielle Gibbs will join the governor's office as chief legal counsel. Gibbs, currently the chief deputy attorney general at the Delaware Department of Justice, will advise the governor on legal matters, including legislative proposals, pending litigation, and state government appointments.

Jonathan Starkey will join the governor's office as communications director, overseeing statewide communications with members of the news media.

The governor-elect announced in November that long-time aide Doug Gramiak will serve as chief of staff in his gubernatorial administration, and that Sheila Grant will serve as deputy chief of staff.

Gramiak was Carney’s chief of staff in the lieutenant governor’s office from 2001 to 2009.  He then served as Carney’s state director in his congressional office from 2011 to 2014.

Grant currently serves as Carney’s chief of staff in his Washington, D.C. congressional office. Grant joined Carney’s staff in 2011.