I just received the following from Governor Kaine:
RICHMOND ? Governor Timothy M. Kaine today appointed Katherine K. Hanley, a former Fairfax County board chairman, to serve as Secretary of the Commonwealth. The Secretary advises the Governor in his appointments of over 4,000 individuals to serve on various Virginia boards and commissions, and the Secretary?s office processes annual disclosure reports required by lobbyists, applications for restoration of voting rights, and other ministerial functions.Hanley, 63, served on the Fairfax County School Board from 1984 to 1986, and the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors from 1986 to 2004. She also served a combined 14 years on the Board of Directors of the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, which operates one of the largest rail and bus transit systems in the United States. Most recently, Hanley has served as President and CEO of the Greater Reston Arts Center.
?I have known and respected Kate Hanley since I first met her when we served together in local government,? Governor Kaine said. ?She is remarkably talented, and brings a wide variety of interests and experiences to her new role. I imagine I also will have opportunities to draw upon Kate?s experience serving on the Metro board as our administration continues to work toward a transportation solution with leaders in the General Assembly.?
?I am honored that Governor Kaine has asked me to serve in his administration,? Hanley said. ?I share the Governor?s commitment to selecting a diverse and talented pool of appointees for our boards and commissions, to make sure that Virginia?s government fully reflects the rich diversity of our Commonwealth.?
I wonder if the House Republicans will try to block this nomination too, after they torpedoed Danny LeBlanc for the same position on March 7. I wouldn't put it past those guys.