Arkansas Gov.-elect Sarah Huckabee Sanders has named nine members of her transition team, a group led by longtime Little Rock attorney Kevin Crass.
“Kevin brings significant knowledge and relationships to this role, and I have complete confidence in his abilities to help me be ready to assume the role of governor on day one and begin taking our state to the top," Sanders said in a statement.
Crass is a senior partner in the Litigation Practice Group at Friday Eldredge & Clark LLP. He has experience in handling the defense of national and state class actions in state and federal courts, and has served as personal counsel to several of the state’s constitutional officers.
Crass currently serves on the board of visitors of the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. He is also chair of the War Memorial Stadium Commission and a former chair of the Little Rock Regional Chamber of Commerce.
“I have known Sarah for decades, and I am excited for the opportunity to assist our Governor-elect in building her administration,” Crass said.
Other members of the transition team are:
- Special Advisor Chris Caldwell served as the campaign manager for Sanders' gubernatorial campaign
- Deputy Director Gretchen Conger joined the campaign as a senior advisor after serving as deputy chief of staff to Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey
- Deputy Director Andrew "Vu" Ritchie most recently served as the campaign's general counsel
- Communications Director Judd Deere held the same role on Sanders' campaign
- External Affairs Director Jordan Powell served as deputy campaign manager for the campaign
- Legislative Director Jamie Barker joins the transition team after serving as political director on campaign
- Policy Director Jack Sisson served as a policy advisor on the campaign
- Boards & Commissions Director Alex Flemister joins the transition team after serving as director of operations on the campaign
Sanders also announced the launch of govelect.arkansas.gov, a website with information on the transition and opportunities to serve on a board or commission.
