RICHMOND, VA – Governor Glenn Youngkin today announced that Jeff Goettman will step down from his position as Chief of Staff for the Administration. Current Secretary of Health and Human Resources, John Littel, will become the next Chief of Staff to the Governor and Janet Vestal Kelly has been tapped as Secretary of Health and Human Resources.
“It’s not an exaggeration to say that there was no one more important in our election and Administration than Jeff Goettman. And no one has committed more time and energy to our collective success than Jeff,” said Governor Glenn Youngkin.“He has been with me from the very first moments of the campaign, led my transition and was key to developing our team and our accomplishments. As a friend, colleague and advisor, he has been a pillar of strength and integrity and an example to the rest of us. While Suzanne and I will miss Jeff’s immense contributions to the Administration our deep friendship continues with Jeff and Ann.”
“Governor Youngkin has provided the inspiration, vision and plain common sense to spur economic development and accelerate job growth, restore excellence in education, advocate for our first responders and veterans, and transform the state approach to behavioral health. The Governor has always believed that the Commonwealth serves the people and not vice versa, and his clear approach to efficient and customer-focused delivery of services has already made this Administration the most transformative in modern history. I am honored to have served this Governor for almost four years and traveled on this journey with so many talented and dedicated colleagues,”said Jeff Goettman. “I decided to step down from my position after the birth of my first grandchild coincided with a health issue, now resolved, in March to focus on family, friends and health. I am grateful for this amazing adventure and awesome accomplishments with my close friends, the Youngkins, and I look forward to continuing to support Governor Youngkin in the months and years ahead.”
“Jeff has worked harder than anyone to ensure that Glenn would be successful in his campaign and Administration,”said First Lady Suzanne Youngkin. “His vision, leadership and support for our efforts have been remarkable and we are forever indebted. We will continue to look to him as a trusted advisor and friend.”
“I am both honored and humbled by the Governor’s confidence in me and look forward to expanding our focus to make Virginia the best place to live, work and raise a family,” said Secretary of Health and Human Resources John Littel. “Working with our partners in the legislature and at the local level, we have the opportunity to continue to make transformative changes in the way we deliver services to Virginians, just as we have in our behavioral health transformation.”
“When I considered a replacement for Jeff, I didn’t have to look far. We have witnessed John’s strong and capable leadership not only of major initiatives like Right Help, Right Now, but also in the expert day-to-day management of a very complex department that affects every Virginian,” Governor Glenn Youngkin continued. “John’s experience, integrity and wisdom will be instrumental to our team as we endeavor to serve Virginians.”
As Secretary of Health and Human Resources, Littel has managed 12 state agencies representing more than a third of the total Commonwealth’s budget. Among other initiatives, he has led the Governor’s Right Help, Right Now behavioral health transformation, the successful redetermination of 2.2 million Medicaid members once the pandemic ended, the ongoing Maternal Health Initiative, a partnership with the First Lady’s office to combat fentanyl and substance use disorders, and the $15 billion Medicaid managed care procurement. Previously, John has developed and led private sector solutions for Medicaid, mental health and long-term services and supports. He has been a national advocate for services for people with disabilities and for reducing the stigma related to mental health. Among other public roles, he served on the Board of Visitors for the College of William & Mary for a record 12 years, including 4 years as rector, and as Deputy Secretary of Health and Human Resources under Governor George Allen.
In addition to the Chief of Staff change, the Governor also announced that former Secretary of the Commonwealth Janet Vestal Kelly will become Secretary of Health and Human Resources on July 8.
“Janet’s understanding and commitment to the priorities of this Administration will ensure a seamless transition in HHR,” said Governor Glenn Youngkin. “In her previous work, she has fought to solve some of our toughest issues. I am confident that she will tackle this new role with the same compassion and determination she has always shown.”
Janet Kelly previously served the Youngkin Administration as Senior Advisor to the Governor for Children and Families, where she led the Safe and Sound Task Force to address children in foster care sleeping in local social services offices and the Prompt Placement Task Force to lower the waiting list for public psychiatric hospitals. She was also a leading force behind the recently signed kinship legislation and a leader for Right Help, Right Now. She served as Secretary of the Commonwealth in the McDonnell Administration, where she launched “Virginia Adopts: Campaign for 1,000.” She and her husband, Ryan, founded Virginia’s Kids Belong to continue that initiative and have been staunch advocates for foster families.
