The Virginia Governor’s Office is the executive office of the Commonwealth of Virginia, and includes the Governor of Virginia, his advisors and counsel, the Governor’s Cabinet, and a number of other staff. The current Governor of Virginia is Governor Glenn Youngkin.
Governor Glenn Youngkin
The Governor of Virginia is the Chief Executive of the Commonwealth of Virginia, serving for a four-year term. In Virginia, though individuals may serve more than one term as Governor, these terms cannot be consecutive. The current and 74th Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia is Glenn Youngkin. Prior to his inauguration, Governor Youngkin spent 25 years at The Carlyle Group, a private-equity firm, where he went on to become co-CEO in 2018.
First Lady Suzanne Youngkin
The current First Lady of the Commonwealth of Virginia is Suzanne Youngkin. Mrs. Youngkin’s primary goal as First Lady is to “Strengthen the Spirit of Virginia Together.” IN 2020, together with the Governor, they established the Virginia Ready Initiative to connect community colleges with businesses in Virginia. Then in 2022, the Governor and First Lady established the Spirit of Virginia Award to celebrate individuals and their achievements in Virginia. Mrs.Youngkin currently serves as the President of the Phos Foundation and is Director of Meadowlark at Delta Farm Retreat Center.
The Governor’s Cabinet
Chief of Staff – Jeff Goettman
The Chief of Staff is responsible for managing the day-to-day responsibilities of the administration, ensuring that operations, staff, and activities are functioning efficiently and effectively. In addition, the Chief of Staff serves as the senior aide to the Governor.
Secretary of the Commonwealth – Kay James
The Secretary of the Commonwealth assists the Governor in appointments to boards and commissions; serves as the liaison to Virginia’s 11 state recognized Indian tribes; manages the restoration of civil rights process; and manages extraditions, clemency requests, and various other certifications and filings of the Commonwealth.
Secretary of Administration – Margaret “Lyn” McDermid
The Secretary of Administration oversees the five state agencies responsible for managing the Commonwealth’s buildings and grounds, administering employee policies and benefits, overseeing elections, safeguarding human rights, improving manager-employee relations in state government, directing state funds to constitutional officers, and overseeing the Commonwealth’s information technology.
Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry – Matthew Lohr
The Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry serves as the “voice” for the agriculture and forestry industries in the Commonwealth, which combing provide more than 400,000 jobs. The Secretariat has worked to promote rural and economic development in these industries; supported forest and farmland retention programs; and has made it a top priority to promote sustainable agriculture and food security.
Secretary of Commerce and Trade – Caren Merrick
The Secretary of Commerce and Trade works to develop and grow a strong and equitable economy through economic development, workforce development, broadband expansion, and promotion of renewable energy. The Secretariat oversees 12 state agencies that assist Virginians in a number of ways to help them actively contribute to the Commonwealth’s economy.
Secretary of Education – Aimee Rogstad Guidera
The Secretary of Education provides guidance and support to the Virginia Department of Education, the Virginia Community College System, the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia, Virginia’s public and private higher education and research centers, and state-funded arts/cultural institutions.
Secretary of Finance – Stephen E. Cummings
The Secretary of Finance provides guidance and support to the four key state agencies within the Secretariat that handle the financial transactions of the Commonwealth. Responsibilities include forecasting and collecting revenues; managing the Commonwealth’s cash and investments; selling bonds; overseeing internal audits; making strategic financial plans; and preparing and executing the Commonwealth’s budget.
Secretary of Health and Human Resources – John Littel
The Secretary of Health and Human Resources oversees twelve state agencies which provide often-vital services to Virginians. This Secretariat works to support individuals with disabilities, the aging community, and low-income working families, children, and caregivers. Additionally, agencies under this Secretariat license health practitioners and ensure safe drinking water in Virginia.
Secretary of Labor – George “Bryan” Slater
The Secretary of Labor oversees a range of regional, state, and federal programs that connect Virginians to the skills, training, and opportunities they need to thrive in the 21st century economy. The advisor works closely with Virginia’s labor and business communities to identify and fill vacant jobs in high demand sectors including IT, healthcare, and energy
Secretary of Natural and Historic Resources – Travis A. Voyles
The Secretary of Natural Resources oversees six state agencies that protect and restore the Commonwealth’s natural and historic resources, and works together with these agencies to uphold the provisions of Article XI of the Virginia Constitution (“To the end that the people have clean air, pure water, and the use and enjoyment for recreation of adequate public lands, waters, and other natural resources …”). The Secretariat also advises the Governor on natural resources issues and works to advance the Governor’s environmental priorities.
Chief Transformation Officer – Eric Moeller
The Chief Transformation Officer leads change efforts to bring business efficiency to government bureaucracy and make government more responsive, efficient and transparent for all Virginians.
Secretary of Public Safety and Homeland Security – Sheriff Robert “Bob” Moiser
The Secretary of Public Safety and Homeland Security works to enhance the quality of Virginia’s citizens, visitors and businesses of the Commonwealth through public awareness, education, training, emergency response, disaster preparedness, prevention, policy development, enforcement, response, recovery and reentry. The Secretariat also assists the Governor in the development and implementation of public safety and homeland security policies and supports the Governor’s strategic priorities through four established pillars of interagency collaboration: All-Hazards Emergency Response, Reducing Recidivism, Preventing Gun Violence, and Smart Policing.
Secretary of Transportation – Sheppard Miller, III
The Secretary of Transportation works to ensure that the Commonwealth has a safe and efficient transportation system, and is committed to creating and maintaining a multimodal network of transportation in the Commonwealth. The Secretariat oversees state agencies which support the movement of people and goods by rail, water, public transit, and roadways.
Secretary of Veterans and Defense Affairs – Craig Crenshaw
The Secretary of Veterans and Defense Affairs oversees the Virginia Department of Veteran Services, which helps Virginia’s veterans, Guardsmen, Reservists, and their families by providing transition, employment and education assistance, benefits, and health care; serves as the primary liaison between the Commonwealth and the US Department of Defense and its military Communities; oversees the Virginia Department of Military Affairs, which works to integrate military and homeland defense capabilities into applicable state operations; and oversees the Veteran Service Foundation, which provides supplemental funding to programs, services, and initiatives of the Department of Veteran Services.
Counselor to the Governor – Richard Cullen
The Counsel to the Governor provides legal oversight, advice, and guidance to the Governor on legal matters occurring within/relevant to the Office of the Governor.
Chief Diversity, Opportunity, and Inclusion Officer – Martin Brown
In September 2019, Governor Northam established the position of the nation’s first cabinet-level Chief Diversity Officer. The shared goal of the Office of Diversity, Opportunity, and Inclusion is focused on promoting ideas, policies, and practices in coordination with the Secretary of Commerce and Trade to expand entrepreneurship and economic opportunities for disadvantaged Virginians, including Virginians living with disabilities. The COI Officer will be focused on facilitating the bringing of Virginians of different faiths together in service to their communities and the Commonwealth.
Constituent Services
The Governor’s Office of Constituent Services and Community Engagement facilitates communication with the Governor, processes requests for proclamations and other commemorative documents, and manages flag and other protocol related requests.
Contact
Phone: 804-786-2211
Email: glenn.youngkin@governor.virginia.gov
Mon-Fri: 9:00am – 5:00pm
Mailing Address:
Commonwealth of Virginia
Constituent Services
P.O Box 1475
Richmond, VA 23218
Physical Address:
1111 East Broad Street
Richmond, VA 23219
Virginia Office of Intergovernmental Affairs
The Virginia Office of Intergovernmental Affairs (VOIA) serves as the liaison between the Commonwealth and the United States Congress, the White House, federal agencies, and other states and territories—facilitating communication with the Governor. The D.C. office also coordinates with state agencies to develop the Commonwealth’s federal priorities and appropriations requests.
The Intergovernmental Affairs office also monitors federal legislative issues and advocates on behalf of the Commonwealth. It works with state policy advisors to determine how federal legislation will impact state programs and priorities.
Additionally, the Virginia Office of Intergovernmental Affairs helps to identify federal grant opportunities for the Commonwealth.
Contact
Virginia Office of Intergovernmental Affairs
444 North Capitol Street NW
Washington, DC 20001 Phone: (202) 783-1769
Fax: (202) 789-7687
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