FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

October 25, 2021

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Governor Whitmer Announces New Leadership to Cabinet and State Agencies

   The state of Michigan welcomes new directors at UIA and DTMB, and names chief information officer

LANSING, Mich. — Governor Gretchen Whitmer today announced a new appointment to lead the Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA) and named an acting director to the Department of Technology, Management, and Budget (DTMB). The governor also designated a new chief information officer to lead the state’s information technology (IT) efforts. These positions fill key leadership roles within the Whitmer-Gilchrist Administration with individuals who have decades of experience serving in high-level positions in state government.

“I am thrilled to have three qualified, skilled public servants join my administration to continue putting Michiganders first and get things done that make a real difference in people’s lives,” said Governor Gretchen Whitmer. “Julia, Michelle, and Laura bring a wealth of experience to their new roles and will help us continue to stay laser-focused on growing the economy, creating good-paying jobs, and making progress on the kitchen-table issues that matter most to families, communities, and small businesses.”

Julia Dale, Director of UIA

Julia Dale will transition to director of the UIA from her position at DTMB. Julia most recently served as an assistant attorney general and Section Head of Business and Charities Section in the Office of the Attorney General and previously worked in various high-level roles at the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA). Julia received her J.D. at Wayne State University and her undergraduate degree at Michigan State University.

“Julia will hit the ground running and I am proud to have a permanent director leading the way at UIA,” said Governor Gretchen Whitmer. “Under her leadership, I am confident that UIA will clear the backlog, tackle waste, fraud, and abuse, and get people the resources they need while saving taxpayer dollars.”

“I am honored to continue serving my fellow Michiganders at the UIA,” said Julia Dale. “As we emerge from the pandemic, there is so much work to do to ensure that we can deliver benefits to families who need them and I cannot wait to pursue long overdue changes and work with the incredible staff to get things done.”

Liza Estlund Olson, who currently serves as acting director, will remain at UIA temporarily to help with the transition before returning to her previous role as director at the Office of the State Employer.

Michelle Lange, Acting Director of DTMB

Michelle Lange will serve as acting director at DTMB. She has held key leadership positions within DTMB in recent years, including chief deputy director, director of Executive Direction and Operations, chief of staff to the director, and as the department legislative liaison. Lange has worked under both Democratic and Republican governors, serving for Governor Whitmer under the chief operating officer and for Governor Rick Snyder as deputy director of Legislative Affairs. She also served as a judge on the Michigan Tax Tribunal and spent 12 years as a staff member in the Michigan Senate. Lange has both a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and a Juris Doctor from Michigan State University.

“Michelle has served in several high-level roles at DTMB and will continue moving the department forward as we work to find a permanent director,” said Governor Gretchen Whitmer. “Her decades of experience working across the aisle will help her steward the department and support state government as we stay laser-focused on growing our economy and putting more Michiganders on paths to prosperity.”

“DTMB is an outstanding organization of experienced and dedicated professionals who work to help, connect, and solve the issues of the day, and I am excited for the opportunity to lead the team,” said Michelle Lange. “I am committed to continuing to provide top-notch administrative services to state departments, ensuring they can keep getting the job done for all Michiganders. Michigan’s families, communities, and small business are counting on us.”

The State of Michigan will conduct a nationwide search to select a permanent DTMB director.

Laura Clark, Chief Information Officer

Laura Clark will take the helm as the state’s chief information officer (CIO), directing the state’s technology and digital security efforts. Laura currently holds the position of chief security officer and will retain those duties. She has served in various leadership positions within government for more than 20 years, leading IT services, strategies, and systems. Laura holds a Bachelor of Science in geography from Michigan State University.

“Laura’s leadership plays a key role in keeping state employees safe online and helps them focus on getting things done for families,” said Governor Gretchen Whitmer. “I am thrilled to have her perspective and expertise so we can continue delivering for Michiganders.”

“Technology is paramount to delivering government services and I am committed to advancing innovative and safe solutions that reach all residents and businesses,” said Laura Clark. “Michiganders deserve a government focused on delivering for them, and I am excited for the opportunity to make that a reality.”

October 21, 2021

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Governor Whitmer Celebrates Michigan Winning Economic Development Award

$1 million federal grant will build on state’s economic momentum, helping to create more good-paying jobs and uplift small businesses and communities

LANSING, Mich. — Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer celebrated the State of Michigan winning a $1 million federal grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA). The funds will flow into the Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity and the Michigan Strategic Fund (MSF), where they can be deployed to tackle a wide range of economic challenges faced by communities, from infrastructure, job training, small business support, and more.

“Today’s grant will build on the bipartisan budget I signed and the MI New Economy plan I proposed to put Michiganders first and uplift families, communities, and small businesses,” said Governor Whitmer. “I am laser-focused on tackling the big, structural economic challenges we face and will work with anyone to drive down costs for families, put more people on a path to prosperity, and invest in critical infrastructure. Together, we can usher in a new era of prosperity for our state while continuing to deliver on the kitchen-table fundamental issues.”

Budget

Last month, the governor signed the Fiscal Year 2022 budget bill that delivers more resources to state police to help them hire more troopers and expand and improve training. The latest budget also invests in 911 system upgrades and delivers on the kitchen-table fundamental issues that make our communities stronger: putting 167,000 Michiganders on a tuition-free path to higher-education or skills training, expanding low or no-cost childcare to 105,000 kids, repairing or replacing 100 bridges while creating 2,500 jobs, and more.

Earlier this year, Governor Whitmer and legislature worked together to put Michigan students first and passed the largest significant education investment in state history, closing the funding gap between schools in Michigan and including a historic amount of resources for schools to hire more nurses, counselors, and social workers. Early investments in mental and social health help reduce crime in the long run.

MI New Economy

At the Mackinac Policy Conference, the governor laid out her $2.1 billion MI New Economy plan to grow Michigan’s middle class, support small businesses and invest in communities.

The plan recognizes a strong economy isn’t only about creating jobs but requires a focus on our state’s people and communities as well. That’s why MI New Economy has three pillars, each of which has specific and ambitious goals that will help state officials track progress on efforts to build a stronger and more resilient Michigan.

Pillar 1: Grow the Middle Class - No economic vision for the state can be complete if it doesn’t focus on eliminating poverty and lifting families into the middle class. MI New Economy would expand Michigan Reconnect and Futures for Frontliners to put more people on a tuition-free path to a good-paying, grow the Going Pro credential program to address the skills gap, and strengthen the college to industry pipeline. The goal is to lift 100,000 families out of working poverty and meet Michigan’s Sixty by 30 goal to have 60% of adults earn a postsecondary credential by 2030.

Pillar 2: Support Small Business – To supplement the great economic development work our state already does, Michigan needs a focus on creating and growing more Main Street businesses. MI New Economy would enact the Michigan Mainstreet Initiative to give grants to our smallest businesses and entrepreneurs, invest in start-ups and electric vehicles, and help employers in emerging industries attract and retain talent. The goal is to become a top 10 state for small business job growth, household income growth, and venture capital funding over the next five years.

Pillar 3: Build Strong Communities - Michigan’s residents deserve to live in vibrant communities with the kinds of services and amenities associated with a high standard of living. MI New Economy would build affordable housing units, rehabilitate vacant buildings, redevelop brownfield sites, and dedicate resources to create more energy-efficient homes. The goal is to build 75,000 new or rehabilitated housing units and have 100% access to high-speed internet in the next five years.