Virginia Governor's Cabinet
The Virginia Governor's Cabinet is a body of the most senior appointed officers of the executive branch of the government of Virginia. The Cabinet is responsible for advising the Governor of Virginia. Cabinet officers are nominated by the Governor and then presented to the Virginia General Assembly for confirmation. Once confirmed, all members of the Cabinet receive the title "Secretary" and serve at the pleasure of the Governor.
The current Cabinet is serving under Governor of Virginia Ralph Northam.
In General
Appointment
Each Cabinet Secretary is appointed by the Governor of Virginia, subject to confirmation by the Virginia General Assembly if in session when the appointment is made. If the General Assembly is not in session, then the appointment is acted on by the General Assembly at its next succeeding session. Each Secretary is appointed for a four-year term but may be removed at any time by the Governor. Before discharging their duties, each Secretary must take an oath to faithfully execute the duties of their office.
Powers and Duties
Each Cabinet Secretary is subject to direction and supervision by the Governor. All agencies assigned to each Secretary exercise their powers and duties in accordance with the general policy established by the Secretary acting on behalf of the Governor. Each Secretary has the power to resolve administrative, jurisdictional, operational, program, or policy conflicts between agencies or officials assigned to them, oversees and directs the formulation of program budgets for their assigned agencies, is responsible for holding their assigned agency heads accountable for their actions, and directs the development of goals, objectives, policies and plans for their assigned agencies.
Composition
The Governor's Cabinet is composed of the following officers, listed with the agencies they supervise:
- Secretary of the Commonwealth
- Secretary of Administration
- Virginia Department of Human Resource Management
- Virginia Department of General Services
- Virginia Department of Employment Dispute Resolution
- Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry
- Secretary of Commerce and Trade
- Board of Accountancy
- Virginia Department of Business Assistance
- Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development
- Virginia Department of Labor and Industry
- Virginia Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy
- Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation
- Secretary of Education
- Secretary of Finance
- Virginia Department of Accounts
- Virginia Department of Planning and Budget
- Virginia Department of Taxation
- Virginia Department of the Treasury
- Secretary of Health and Human Resources
- Virginia Department for the Aging
- Virginia Department for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
- Virginia Department of Health
- Virginia Department of Health Professions
- Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Services
- Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services
- Virginia Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services
- Virginia Department of Social Services
- Virginia Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired
- Secretary of Natural Resources
- Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation
- Virginia Department of Environmental Quality
- Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries
- Virginia Department of Historic Resources
- Virginia Marine Resources Commission
- Secretary of Public Safety
- Virginia Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control
- Virginia Department of Correctional Education
- Virginia Department of Corrections
- Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services
- Virginia Department of Emergency Management
- Virginia Department of Fire Programs
- Virginia Department of Forensic Science
- Virginia Department of Juvenile Justice
- Virginia Department of Military Affairs
- Virginia Parole Board
- Virginia State Police
- Secretary of Technology
- Virginia Center for Innovative Technology
- Virginia Information Technologies Agency
- Secretary of Transportation
- Secretary of Veterans Affairs and Homeland Security
- Virginia Department of Veterans Services
- Virginia War Memorial
- Secure Commonwealth Panel
Current Cabinet Members
Currently, no Cabinet Secretary positions are vacant. The current Cabinet, serving under Governor of Virginia Ralph Northam, is as follows:
Cabinet-level positions
| Office | Incumbent |
|---|---|
| Chief of Staff | Clark Mercer |
| Counsel to the Governor | Rita Davis |
| Chief Workforce Advisor to the Governor | Megan Healy |
| Chief Diversity Officer | Janice Underwood |