Governor Larry Hogan Announces New Staff Appointments

ANNAPOLIS, MD – Governor Larry Hogan today announced two new appointments within his Executive Staff: Jeannie Haddaway-Riccio as Deputy Chief of Staff and Mathew Palmer as Deputy Legislative Officer. Haddaway-Riccio will replace current Deputy Chief of Staff Michael Richard, who is being nominated for an appointment to the Maryland Public Service Commission. Palmer succeeds Patrick Hogan ahead of the upcoming 2016 Legislative Session.

Haddaway-Riccio currently serves as Director of Intergovernmental Affairs to Governor Hogan where she acts as the governor’s liaison to local governments, including working with the Maryland Association of Counties and the Maryland Municipal League. She will continue to assist Governor Hogan in that capacity until a new director is appointed. Previously, she served as District 37B Delegate from 2003 to 2015, where she was a member of numerous committees including the Economic Matters Committee, the Joint Committee on Federal Relations, and the Legislative Policy Committee. She also served as Minority Whip from 2011-2013 and as House Chair for the Talbot County Delegation from 2003-2015. In addition, Haddaway-Riccio has worked for the Maryland Department of Environment’s Air and Radiation Management Administration as well as the National Audubon Society.

“Jeannie is a competent and capable professional with a wealth of experience in government administration, as well as a knowledgeable and trusted member of my staff,” said Governor Hogan. “I have every confidence that she will continue to be an asset to our administration in her new role as a Deputy Chief of Staff."

Michael Richard has served as Deputy Chief of Staff to Governor Hogan since January 2015. Previously he has served as Director of the Maryland Energy Administration. Richards has served as an alternate member on the Southern States Energy Board and as a member on the Renewable Fuels Incentive Board. In addition, he served as Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Office of Congressional Affairs and Intergovernmental Affairs for the U.S. Department of Energy.

“I thank Michael Richard for his service as a Deputy Chief of Staff, and I know he will be an asset to the Public Service Commission,” said Governor Larry Hogan.

Palmer joins the Hogan administration having previously served as Senior Vice President of Government Affairs at the Maryland Chamber of Commerce since 2012. In addition, Palmer has served as Associate Director of State Affairs for the Johns Hopkins University/Johns Hopkins-Health System, and as Chief of Staff to former Maryland State Senator E.J. Pipkin. He has also served as a member of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Employee Benefits Committee, the Tech Council of Maryland Legislative Committee, the Central Maryland Transportation Alliance Board, and the Maryland Chamber of Commerce Legislative Committee.

“Mathew Palmer is an accomplished and well-rounded professional who possesses a deep understanding of the legislative process and issues,” Governor Hogan continued. “I am proud to welcome him to our administration and look forward to working with him during this upcoming session."