Governor-Elect McDonnell outlines transition plan

  In what’s become tradition following a commonwealth gubernatorial election, the winning candidate announced his transition team this morning in Richmond.

  Governor-elect Bob McDonnell will turn to his campaign manager Phil Cox to help oversee the team.

  Campaign communications director Tucker Martin will transition into the role of communications director for the team.

  Current Attorney General Bill Mims will also be a member of the transition staff.

  McDonnell named Tom Farrell to the team.

  Farrell is the current CEO of Dominion Resources.  McDonnell described Farrell as a trusted friend since high school.

  Bobbie Kilberg, the president of the Northern Virginia Technology Council is also a member of the transition committee.  McDonnell said he added her for her experience creating technology jobs.

  Job creation was one of the main themes of the campaign.

  Rounding out the committee will be Kay James, a cabinet member under former Republican Governor George Allen.

  McDonnell said one of his most daunting challenges in the coming weeks will be getting a grip on the state budget situation.

  He said he would ask Governor Kaine’s staff to brief him on every aspect of the budget as soon as possible.

  McDonnell also said he would get to work immediately naming a panel as part of his jobs creation plan.

  He also promised to begin the process of writing legislation for more off shore drilling and the privatization of state controlled liquor stores, two of the core elements of his plan to pay for transportation issues which have plagued the commonwealth for years.

  The McDonnell family plans to attend this weekend’s Notre Dame-Navy football game in South Bend, Indiana.

  The governor-elect has made no secret of his support for the Fighting Irish.