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Attorney General-elect Charlie Crist today praised the service of Attorney General Richard Doran and announced the first appointments to the team that will manage the operations of the Attorney General's Office and the Department of Legal Affairs.

"General Doran deserves the gratitude of all Floridians for his service to our state," said Attorney General-elect Crist. "His dedication and leadership have been admirable and his graciousness and cooperation during the transition period are deeply appreciated."

In addition to the appointment of new managers, some current staff members were re-appointed.

"I am excited by the quality of individuals who are willing to serve the public," said Attorney General-elect Crist. "We are assembling an experienced, diverse team of talented leaders who aggressively will represent the interests of our clients – the people of Florida. I anticipate naming other team members in the coming days and weeks that will include professionals both from outside as well as certain members from among the current staff."

George S. LeMieux has been named Deputy Attorney General and Chief of Staff. A shareholder in the Ft. Lauderdale office of the law firm of Gunster, Yoakley, he has served as co-chair of the Ft. Lauderdale litigation department. He has also maintained an active litigation practice in the areas of commercial, business, patent and trademark law since 1994. He graduated magna cum laude from Emory University and cum laude from the Georgetown University Law Center.

Melinda M. Miguel was appointed Inspector General. Miguel joins the Attorney General's Office after serving as Inspector General for the Department of Education since June 2001 and for the Department of Elder Affairs from 1999-2001. She has served the State of Florida since 1989 as an accounting manager and senior auditor in addition to her service as an Inspector General.

Allison K. Bethel was re-appointed Director of Civil Rights, a position she has held since 2000. She was appointed Assistant Director of Civil Rights by former Attorney General Butterworth in 1998 before being named Director. Bethel joined the Attorney General’s Ft. Lauderdale office as a Senior Trial Attorney in 1996 following 12 years of private practice with two South Florida firms.

JoAnn Carrin will serve as the Director of Communications. She has worked for the Department of Education since 1987, most recently as Director of Communications. Carrin was appointed Deputy Director of Communications in 1999 after 10 years of service in the areas of Human Resource Development and Investigations.

Patricia R. Gleason was re-appointed General Counsel specializing in Florida's Government-in-the-Sunshine Law. She has worked in the Attorney General’s Office since 1976, previously serving as Director of the Cabinet Division and as Chief of the Administrative Law Section. Gleason is the editor of the Government-in-the-Sunshine Law Manual and the Public Records Guide for Law Enforcement.

Jerry L. McDaniel will be responsible for areas including administrative services and information systems. McDaniel has served as the Director of Administration for the Department of Legal Affairs since 1986. He has extensive experience in public administration and budget with the Office of the Governor and two state agencies. From October to December 2002, McDaniel was Deputy Staff Director for the Florida House Appropriations Committee.

Kent J. Perez was re-appointed Chief Cabinet Aide, a position he has held since 1994. He began his tenure with the Attorney General's Office in 1986 working mostly within the Economic Crimes Unit, serving as Bureau Chief of the Orlando/Tampa Office from 1993-94 and the Tallahassee Economic Crimes Consumer Section from 1990-93.

Betsy Seidel was appointed Senior Executive Assistant to the Attorney General. She has held a similar position in the Department of Education since 1998. Seidel has been in public service since 1988, including seven years as Administrative Assistant and Senior Executive Assistant to the Treasurer of the State of Florida.

Robert J. Sparks was named Director of External Affairs. Since 1999, Sparks has served in a similar capacity for the Department of Environmental Protection. He spent 17 years in professional baseball administration as a communications and planning executive and more than three years as a television producer and director at an Indianapolis, Indiana station.

Carolyn Snurkowski was re-appointed Director of Criminal Appeals and Capital Collateral. She supervises the daily operations of all appellate and collateral litigation, as well as 130 criminal appeals and capital collateral attorneys, resulting from sentences imposed in criminal cases throughout the state. Snurkowski has argued before the United States Supreme Court and has had more than 100 cases before the Florida Supreme Court.