Governor Joe Lombardo has made some leadership changes in three key state agencies without disclosing to the public the reasons. When questioned, a spokesperson confirmed the departures on Friday, January 19, but provided no further details.
The affected agencies include the Nevada Department of Veterans Services, the state Public Works Division, and the Division of Human Resource Management. The alterations come on the heels of the recent departure of Warren Lowman, the state audit administrator, and the departure of Ben Kieckhefer as Chief of Staff at the end of the month.
Ryan Cherry assumed the new Chief of Staff on Wednesday, January 17, while Kieckhefer will remain in a transitional capacity until the end of the month.
One change involved Fred Wagar, Director of the Nevada Department of Veterans Services. An email to state employees announced Lisa Maciel, the deputy director of benefits at the veteran services department, as the interim director, with a permanent replacement expected in the coming weeks.
Another change involved placing Mandee Bowsmith, the former administrator of the human resource division, on administrative leave. An email to state employees on Thursday, January 18, revealed that Bachera Washington, the interim administrator, had been permanently promoted to that position.
Additionally, Wilfred “Wil” Lewis Jr. has taken over from the former administrator of the State Public Works Division, Kent LeFevre, who, although still associated with the State Public Works Division, has been assigned special duties with the Nevada Department of Corrections.
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