MALLOY NAMES ADDITIONAL STAFF; OPERATIONS, POLICY, LEGISLATIVE, LEGAL AND COMMUNICATIONS TEAMS BEGIN TO FILL OUT

January 4, 2011

(HARTFORD, CT) - Governor-Elect Dan Malloy added new staffers to his office today, including a Director of Operations, Director of Policy, Legislative Liaisons and additional communications and legal staff.

"We have a lot of work ahead of us, but I have confidence that we are building a strong team that is committed to the priorities I set forth in my campaign," said Governor-Elect Malloy. "Growing jobs and bolstering Connecticut's flagging economy are priority-one. The people joining my staff tomorrow are dedicated to serving the people of Connecticut, and they have the strengths and expertise to get the job done."

Alvin Wilson has been named the Director of Operations in the Governor-Elect's Office. An attorney with extensive legislative experience, Wilson was counsel to the Connecticut Freedom of Information Commission and currently serves on the Board of Directors of Our Piece of the Pie, a Hartford Youth Services Organization.

Elizabeth Donohue will be the Governor-Elect's Director of Policy. Donohue was formerly the Deputy Policy Director for the Speaker of the House and most recently worked on Richard Blumenthal's successful bid for U.S. Senate, serving as his Deputy Director of Political Affairs and Operations.

Mike Christ and James Desantos will be Legislative Liaisons, drawing on their long-standing experience working in and with the legislature. Formerly a state representative from East Hartford, Christ served in the legislature for 14 years, the last four of which he was a Deputy Majority Leader. Most recently, Christ was the legal counsel to Speaker of the House Chris Donovan. Prior to joining Hartford-based Sullivan and LeShane where he worked for the past several years in government relations, James Desantos was a legislative aide for both the House and Senate Democratic caucuses.

Natalie Wagner was appointed a Legal Counsel to the Governor-Elect. For the past three years, Wagner has served as the Deputy Legal Counsel for the Senate Democrats. Prior to her legislative work, Wagner was a public defender in Massachusetts.

Juliet Manalan and David Bednarz will join the Governor-Elect's communications staff. Manalan will be the Governor-Elect's Press Secretary; Bednarz will be the Deputy Press Secretary. Previously the Communications Director for Connecticut Fund for the Environment, Manalan left to join the communications staff on the Malloy campaign this fall. Immediately before joining the Malloy team, Bednarz served in the House Democratic caucus as a press secretary, working for more than 20 state representatives over the past five years.

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