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V O L . X X V N O. I I JA N UA R Y 2 1 , 2 0 1 9 16 She's also promised to create a Brave New World-sounding Office of Innovation and the Future to dive into major policy challenges and provide independent analysis on a variety of economic development, community development and natural resources issues. It remains to be seen how much funding she'll get for that and other promised new programs. 3. Workforce development and economic revitalization Mills aims to build a "world-class work- force" on several fronts, from investing in education to rolling out the welcome matt for remote workers to bring their jobs — and business ideas — to Maine. "To employers, enterpreneurs and innovators, with new ideas for forest products aquaculture recreation, renew- ables and everything in between, I say, 'You are welcome here,'" she said in her inaugural address. Her action plan for Maine's eco- nomic future also calls for creating a Small Business Accelerator to help start- ups acces financing, train workers and cope with state regulation, and providing a Rural Workplace Grant to help com- munities turn downtown buildings into broadband-equipped coworking hubs, The merger combines a leading Maine CPA firm into one of the largest independent public accounting and advisory services firms in the nation, with over 250 partners and 1,800 professionals in major business markets throughout the United States, Grand Cayman, China and Ireland. marcumllp.com COMBINED STRENGTH has merged into Dawson, Smith, Purvis & Bassett, P.A. Kirsten Figueroa, Administrative and Financial Services Figueroa has more than 22 years of pub- lic sector and non- profit financial executive experience, having overseen the financial, adminis- trative, human resources and technol- ogy aspects of several large organiza- tions and government departments. She previously headed the administrative services division in the Office of the Maine Attorney General. As Maine's administrative and financial services chief, her duties will include devel- oping the biennial budget, coordinat- ing state agencies' financial planning and programming and overseeing tax administration. I N H E R W O R D S : Looks forward to "repairing the morale, reputation and dignity of the state's workforce." W W W . M A I N E . G O V / D A F S Jeanne Lambrew, Health and Human Services A Cape Elizabeth native with exten- sive experience on the national stage, Lambrew held senior positions at the White House for a decade and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for four years. As President Barack Obama's deputy assistant for health policy from 2013-17, her duties included implementation and defense of the Affordable Care Act. Mills under- scored the high profile she will give health care by naming Lambrew as her first cabinet pick, citing Lambrew's "deep well of policy knowledge and the skills to effectively implement complex policies." Lambrew grew up in Portland. IN HER WORDS: Priorities will include taking steps "to lower the cost of health care, to lower prescription drug prices, expand treatment for mental and health and substance use disorders, and to strengthen public health preparedness." W W W . M A I N E . G O V / D H H S Bruce Van Note, Transportation Van Note, who cur- rently oversees pol- icy and planning at the Maine Turnpike Authority, has 25 years of professional transportation work experience in Maine, including 12 years as deputy commissioner at the Maine Department of Transportation, where he managed every aspect of the department. The 58-year-old, who has practiced law and owned and operated a small surveying and land-use consulting firm, serves on the planning board in Topsham, where he lives with his wife. If confirmed, he will oversee a depart- ment with close to 2,000 employees and annual average expenditures of $650 million. IN HIS WORDS: Looks forward to work- ing with others "to improve our trans- portation system and take it to the next level." W W W . M A I N E . G O V / M D O T » C O N T I N U E D F RO M P R E V I O U S PA G E » C O N T I N U E D F RO M P R E V I O U S PA G E C O N T I N U E D O N PA G E 1 8 » W H O ' S W H O

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