Updates About Executive Office Announcements

Maysam Alie-Bazzi, a Dearborn-based public education official with nearly 30 years of experience, has begun her new role as chief deputy superintendent at the Michigan Department of Education (MDE). Alie-Bazzi most recently served as the Dearborn Public Schools executive director of staff and student services. However, she has a wealth of experience, including previously roles as principal, assistant principal, literacy coordinator, media specialist, and a language arts teacher.

Alie-Bazzi holds a master’s degree in reading education, a master’s degree in library and information science, an administrator certificate, a teaching certificate with a major in language arts and a minor in history, and a bachelor’s degree in communications with a focus on public relations.

Alie-Bazzi succeeds Dr. Sue Carnell, who retired effective July 31. Carnell assisted with the transition to the new chief deputy superintendent.

Recently, Governor Whitmer announced several leadership changes within the Executive Office, including the promotion of Zack Pohl to chief of staff, will take place on August 1st. Pohl will succeed JoAnne Huls, who is stepping down from the role on July 31st after more than seven years of service. Huls will remain with the administration as a senior adviser.

Pohl recently served as the principal deputy chief of staff and oversaw the communications, federal affairs, legislative affairs, policy, and scheduling division of the executive office. Pohl has worked with Whitmer since 2018 when he served as communication director for her gubernatorial campaign and continued that role in her administration.

Below are other various promotions made by the Governor:

• Maria Martinez - Chief Deputy to the Governor (formerly Deputy Chief of Staff).
• Kara Cook - Deputy Chief of Staff (formerly Director of Legislative Affairs).
• Emily Mellits - Director of External Affairs (formerly Director of the Office of Community Engagement).
• Carly Swanson - Deputy Director of External Affairs (formerly Community Engagement Specialist).
• Victoria Houston - Senior External Affairs Specialist (formerly Community Engagement Specialist).
• Anna Cool - Senior External Affairs Specialist (formerly Community Engagement Specialist).
• Julia Evasic - Deputy Director of Advance (formerly Advance Associate).
• Preston Weyland - Senior Deputy Director of Federal Affairs (formerly Manager of Federal Grants and Appropriations).
• Nathan Reynolds - Deputy Director of Federal Affairs (formerly Manager of Federal Grants and Appropriations).

Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced last week that the state’s Director of Health and Human Services (MDHHS), Elizabeth Hertel, will be stepping down at the end of June.

Elizabeth Hertel has served as the top MDHHS official since 2021. She oversaw the department’s transition out of the COVID-19 pandemic as well as the development of two state psychiatric hospitals, expansion of substance use disorder programs, and the state’s response to recent federal Medicaid and SNAP changes. One of her major priorities has been restructuring Michigan’s behavioral health system, including efforts to rebid the state’s prepaid inpatient health plans, though implementation of those changes has been delayed following court rulings.

Her successor, Amy Epkey, will begin the role on July 1. Epkey is currently the senior deputy director of the financial operation administration within MDHHS. Hertel said that she plans on relaxing post-budget and spending time with family during the summer months before figuring out what comes next in her career.