Richmond, Va.– Speaker-designee Eileen Filler-Corn today announced key advisors to her work as she transitions into the office of the Speaker of the House of Delegates. The goal of the Transition Team is to provide input to Speaker-designee Filler-Corn as she develops and implements a plan to build a more open and responsive House of Delegates.
“Last week, people across the Commonwealth told us they wanted to move our Commonwealth forward, address our most critical challenges and ensure transparency for all Virginians,” said Speaker-designee Filler-Corn. “I am truly honored to have guidance from these leaders from across Virginia to develop leadership to make our schools better, our communities stronger and our economy more fair.”
To Chair the Transition Team, Speaker-designee Filler-Corn has chosen Wayne Turnage. Turnage served as chief analyst for the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission for 15 years, where he authored 15 studies, several of which won national awards. He also served in the Cabinet for Governor Mark Warner, and as his Special Advisor for Health Care. He then served as Chief of Staff for Governor Tim Kaine. Turnage was also appointed by Senator Kaine to head up the federally required transition planning for the vice president’s office during the 2016 election and was his special assistant.
“As Speaker-designee Filler-Corn transitions into the Speaker’s office, it is important that experienced advisors can help strengthen Virginia traditions of fiscal responsibility and sound management,” said Turnage. “We are ready to get to work and use our skills and experience for the betterment of our Commonwealth.”
Filler-Corn also asked Suzette Denslow to serve as Transition Staff Director. Denslow brings extensive experience in state government, having served in the Administrations of Governors Doug Wilder, Mark Warner, Tim Kaine and Terry McAuliffe. She currently serves as Deputy Chief of Staff to Governor Ralph Northam. Denslow also served on the General Assembly’s Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission.
Additional members of the Transition Team below (in alphabetical order).
Ward Armstrong
Ward Armstrong, age 63, served as a member of the Virginia House of Delegates from 1992 to 2012. He was the House Minority (Democratic) Leader from 2007 to 2012. Ward and his wife, Pam, are life-long residents of Martinsville and Henry County. He is currently the senior partner in the Armstrong Law Firm, established in 1981.
Viola Osborne Baskerville
Viola Osborne Baskerville is a four-term, former Member of the Virginia House of Delegates who focused on small business, education, maternal and child health matters and equity issues while a Member. She was Co-Chair of Tim Kaine’s gubernatorial transition team and former Secretary of Administration. Baskerville also served as a member of Richmond’s City Council and as a member of the Board of Visitors of Longwood University. She currently serves as a Trustee of the Virginia Outdoors Foundation.
Ric Brown
A financial expert, Richard D. Brown, served the Commonwealth as Deputy Budget Director (1990-2001), Budget Director (2001-2008) and Secretary of Finance (2008-2018), during both Democratic and Republican administrations. Brown is a former president of the National Association of State Budget Officers.
Richard Cranwell
Richard Cranwell served 30 years (1972-2001) in the House of Delegates, including eight years (1992-1999) as Majority Leader. He then served as Chair of the Virginia Democratic Party (2007-2010).
Jean Cunningham
Jean Cunningham has served in the administrations of Governor Terry McAuliffe, Governor Mark Warner and Governor Ralph Northam. From 1986 to 1998 she served as delegate for the 71st House District in the Virginia House of Delegates.
Karen Darner
L. Karen Darner was elected to the 49th District of the Virginia House of Delegates after the sudden death of Delegate Warren G Stambaugh. She served there until 2004. She was a speech & language pathologist in the Arlington Public Schools for over 35 years. Darner became a civic activist through the Arlington Education Association and served as Chair of the Virginia Political Action Committee of the Virginia Education Association.
Patrick Finnerty
Patrick Finnerty worked for the Commonwealth of Virginia for 32 years. He was appointed by Governors Mark Warner and Tim Kaine to serve as Virginia’s Medicaid Director from 2002 to 2010. Prior to his appointment as Medicaid Director, Finnerty worked for the Virginia General Assembly’s Joint Commission on Health Care for eight years, including four years as the Commission’s Executive Director.
Paula Miller
Paula Miller has extensive background in radio, television, newspaper and public affairs, including 20 years managing communications for the Virginia Department of Transportation Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel Expansion Project, the Commonwealth’s largest-ever construction project. Miller also represented the City of Norfolk in the Virginia House of Delegates (2005-2012).
Ilryong Moon
Born in Seoul, Korea, Ilryong Moon immigrated to the United States with his family in 1974 when he was in high school. He has spent two decades as a public servant, serving on the Fairfax County School Board from July 1995 to 1999, and from January 2004 through 2019, including serving terms as Chairman of the Board and Vice Chairman. When first elected, Moon became the first Asian-American to be elected to a public office in Virginia. He is currently a partner with Moon, Park, and Associates, a law firm located in Fairfax County.
Jennie O’Holleran
Jennie O’Holleran has served three Virginia governors, most recently serving as Policy Director for Governor Ralph Northam. Jennie also served as Policy Director and Deputy Secretary of Education for Governor Terry McAuliffe and as a Special Assistant for then-Governor Tim Kaine. O’Holleran is currently the owner of JPMO Strategies, LLC.
LF Payne
Born and raised in Amherst County, LF Payne is a successful businessman who served in the US Congress as Virginia’s 5th District Congressman for five terms. He serves on the Executive Committee of the US Former Members of Congress Association. He is also a member of the Governing Council of the Miller Center at the University of Virginia.
Walter Tejada
A long-time community activist, The Honorable J. Walter Tejada served on Governor-elect Ralph Northam’s transition team. He has created and led organizations at the local, state, and national levels that promote Latino empowerment and is the founding president of the Virginia Latino Leaders Council (VLLC), a nonpartisan organization promoting Latino civic engagement. Tejada is currently a member of the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority Board of Directors.
David Toscano
David Toscano was elected to the Charlottesville City Council in 1990, became Mayor in the mid-90s, and continued his Council service until 2002. He won a seat in the Virginia House of Delegates in 2005 and served seven terms, including seven years as Democratic Leader. He has been a practicing attorney for more than 30 years in Charlottesville.
Margaret Vanderhye
Margaret Vanderhye brings deep experience in state and national government. She served in the Virginia House of Delegates from 2008-2010 representing the 34th District. Prior to that, she served for five years on the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority as an appointee of Governors Mark Warner and Tim Kaine. Vanderhye is the immediate past Executive Director of the Virginia Commission for the Arts, appointed by Governor Terry McAuliffe.
Jody Wagner
Jody Wagner served as Secretary of Finance in Governor Kaine’s Administration from January 2006 through August 2008, and as Treasurer of Virginia from January 2002 until January 2006. Wagner is currently President of Jody’s Popcorn, a manufacturer of gourmet popcorn based in Norfolk, Virginia.
Molly Ward
Molly Ward served as Secretary of Natural Resources as a member of Governor Terry McAuliffe’s cabinet, in the Obama Administration as a Special Assistant to the President and Deputy Director of Intergovernmental Affairs at the White House, and as the Mayor of the City of Hampton. Ward currently serves as Treasurer for the City of Hampton.
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