Leadership Appointments: May 22-28, 2025

May 28, 2025

Oklahoma – Sherri White has been appointed as the news COO of the Oklahoma Health Care Authority. Her most recent role was CEO of Oklahoma CommunityPartners Health Plan, where she spearheaded a new Medicaid initiative in line with OHCA’s objectives.

Illinois – Patrick Nolan has been appointed by Gov. Pritzker as the deputy secretary of the Illinois Department of Innovation and Technology (DOIT) effective June 16. He currently serves as Chief of Staff of the Illinois Department of Central Management Services, where he supports executive coordination for the state’s $8 billion operations agency, helping manage a 400-site real estate portfolio and overseeing HR and labor relations for over 50,000 employees.

California – Dara Wheeler has been appointed as the Chief Data and Artificial Intelligence Officer of the California Transportation Department (Caltrans). Wheeler currently serves as the Chief of Research, Innovation and System Information and has worked for Caltrans since 1999.

Maryland – Wayne Rose has been selected as the CIO of Baltimore City Community College (BCCC). He has 13 years of experience in higher education and served as a Senior IT Executive and CIO at Campus Works Inc prior to joining BCCC.

Georgia – Greg Eyerly has been confirmed as the new commissioner of the Department of Watershed Management (DWM). Eyerly, formerly Houston’s Department of Water Division Director, will now oversee Atlanta’s drinking water and wastewater systems.

Virginia – Sabrina Joy-Hogg has been selected as the deputy city manager for finance and administration City of Newport News effective June 16. She currently serves as the interim chief administrative officer for the City of Richmond. 

Colorado – Jay Valentine has been appointed by City Manager Mike Bennett as the CFO for the City of Grand Junction. Valentine brings over 26 years of experience with the city to the role and was previously the General Services Director. In his new position, Valentine will oversee the City Finance, Information Technology, and General Services departments.

Nebraska – Bryan Waugh has been confirmed as the superintendent of Law Enforcement and Public Safety for the state of Nebraska effective June 2. He has 32 years of experience in law enforcement and most recently served as Chief of the Kearney Police Department. 

California – Danielle Schmitz has been appointed as the new executive director of the Napa Valley Transportation Authority (NVTA) effective July 1. Schmitz has served the agency since 2008 and steps into the role following the retirement of Kate Miller.

Virginia – Sharon Ebert has been appointed as the new Deputy CAO for the Economic and Community Development Portfolio for the City of Richmond. She brings more than 25 years of experience working in state and local government to the role and most recently served as Director of Community Development in the City of Johns Creek, Georgia, where she oversaw planning, zoning, land development, building, permitting and code enforcement activities.

North Carolina – Eric C. Bracy has been appointed as the new superintendent for Cumberland County Schools effective on or shortly after July 1. Bracy brings more than 25 years of experience in public education to the role and currently serves as the superintendent for Johnston County Schools.

Ohio – James Holloway has been selected as the new president of the University of Toledo effective July 15. He currently serves as executive vice president for academic affairs at the University of New Mexico and steps into the role following the departure of Gregory Postel.

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