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SALT LAKE CITY — Lieutenant governor and Gov.-elect Spencer Cox's office announced another round of appointments to his upcoming administration Wednesday morning, filling key positions to oversee education, the economy, rural affairs and more.
Current and former GOP legislators are Cox's picks to head the Governor's Office of Economic Development and the Governor's Office of Management and Budget.
State Sen. Dan Hemmert, an Orem Republican who serves as the Senate Majority Whip, has been nominated as the next director of the GOED. His nomination requires Senate approval, which seems assured given his prominent role in the Republican-dominated chamber, and if approved he will step down from his legislative positions.
Senate President Stuart Adams, R-Layton, said in a statement Wednesday that Hemmert is "one of the most decent human beings and public servants I've had the honor of working with."
"Dan has been an outstanding majority whip, senator, colleague and friend, always collaborating to find the best policy for all Utahns. I'm very proud of our work, especially this past year, as he led the Public Health and Economic Emergency Commission providing essential COVID-19 input and recommendations." The commission recommended the governor move faster to reopen sectors of the Utah economy following a stay-at-home order this spring, and drew criticism from some who believed the state was prioritizing the economy over public health.
Adams called on the Utah County Republican Party to "promptly fill the upcoming vacancy ... to ensure constituents of District 14 are represented during the upcoming general session."
Former Utah Rep. Sophia DiCaro, meanwhile, will serve as a Cox administration senior adviser and as the director of the GOMB. She is currently chief compliance officer for the Cynosure Group and previously worked at the GOED as deputy director, according to a Cox team news release.
Stephen Lisonbee, who is currently serving as assistant vice president of the Office of Regional Services at Southern Utah University, will become the senior adviser of rural affairs in the Cox administration while maintaining his SUU post. The news release says Lisonbee's appointment fulfills "a campaign promise to raise the profile of rural issues within the Cox administration."
Lt. Gov.-elect Deidre Henderson's chief of staff appointment was also announced, as Jen Robinson will move into the role after serving as an adviser for Salt Lake County Councilwoman Aimee Winder Newton.
Brittney Cummins, who has served as a member of the Utah State Board of Education since 2014, will join Cox's staff as senior adviser for education.
"We've recruited some of the best and brightest Utahns to join us as we strengthen our schools, our rural towns and the overall quality of life here in Utah," Cox said in the news release. "We welcome these fine individuals to public service and we're grateful to have them on the team."
In a tweet, Cox said he "couldn't be more excited to see our team coming together."
"We have some incredible public servants in this state," he wrote.
The release also announces four holdovers from the Herbert administration who will stay on for Cox. Adviser Pamela Atkinson will retain her role; Gordon Larsen will move to Cox's senior adviser for federal affairs; Mike Mower, Herbert's deputy chief of staff, will become Cox's senior adviser of community outreach and intergovernmental affairs; and Karen Peterson will become a legislative liaison for Cox and Henderson.
More staff and cabinet appointments are forthcoming, the release says. The new administration previously announced appointments including Jon Pierpont as chief of staff and Jennifer Napier-Pearce, the former Salt Lake Tribune editor, as communications director.
Cox will take office on Jan. 4.
