Memo introducing yourself to staff

Document A704-23-ZL5K-9

FROM THE DESK OF THE GOVERNOR

Document A704-23-ZL5K-9

DATE: 01/01/2017 TO: Director, DHHS RE: Appointment FROM: Chief of Staff, Governor’s Office To the DHHS Director: Now that the State Legislature has approved your appointment, the Governor’s Office is pleased to officially offer you the position of Director of the Department of Health and Human Services. You are now the highest official for the Department and will be directly below the Governor in the chain of command. The Governor is very excited about the potential you and your experience bring to the table. We expect that you will start your work immediately. As you know, the Department of Health and Human Services in our State has over 3000 employees, including another 1000 plus per diem and part-time workers. Although your appointment was in the newspapers and on television, most of the Department is unfamiliar with you and your work. May I suggest that for your first action as Director, you draft an Introduction Memorandum introducing yourself to your Department and the other Directors in the Administration? You should discuss your experience, background, and health policy goals for the remainder of your appointment. Since Directors as well as employees in the Department are extremely busy, I would limit your Memo to one page. Finally, please keep in mind that this Memorandum, as well as with any other Memorandum you issue, could be released to the public or press through a FOIA request or internal leak, so keep it professional and do not share information you do not think should be public. I would add, since the Governor was just elected, and the Administration is still working out official stances on many policy issues. We request that you refrain from taking any public political positions at this time. The Governor would like you to remain politically neutral until further notice. As we have discussed, you will be working out of our Capital Office and will report directly to the Governor. Since this is the highest position in the Department, there will be no orientation, no instruction, and you will begin your job duties straightaway. Since the Governor is extremely busy, you are unlikely to have much face-to-face time either. I will forward correspondence for the Governor. Please expect to find our correspondence via your “Modules”. There will be a variety of additional projects that will need your attention very soon. I look forward to your Introduction Memo for the Department.

Respectfully,

Chief of Staff Office of the Governor