LANSING – House Democratic Leader-Elect Tim Greimel (Auburn Hills) has named three key staffing positions. Adrian Hemond has been named chief of staff, Katie Carey will continue as the press secretary for the House Democratic Caucus, and Amy Beard will serve as Greimel’s legislative director and deputy chief of staff. Greimel will become the leader of the House Democratic Caucus on Jan. 1, 2013, and the position of the newly named staffers begins then as well.

“I look forward to working with Adrian Hemond, Katie Carey and Amy Beard to advance the House Democratic Caucus’ goals of improving the economic stability and quality of life for middle-class families in Michigan,” Greimel said. “Several policy decisions have been made recently that hurt our families, school kids and seniors, and we will work hard starting Jan. 1 to get Michigan back on track.”

Most recently, Hemond worked as an account executive for the Energy Systems Group, a sustainable energy company. Before that, Hemond was an associate at Governmental Consultant Services Inc. and served as the appropriations coordinator for the Michigan House under Rep. George Cushingberry (D-Detroit). He also previously served as a legislative assistant for Rep. Marsha Cheeks (D-Detroit). Hemond has also been a professor of political science at Saginaw Valley State University and holds a bachelor’s and master’s degree in political science from Michigan State University.

Carey, who is currently press secretary for the House Democratic Caucus, has previously been the press secretary for the Michigan Senate Democrats, a legislative aide for Rep. Jeff Irwin (D-Ann Arbor), spokeswoman for former Gov. Jennifer Granholm and communications director for former Lt. Gov. John Cherry. Carey earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from Grand Valley State University.

Beard, currently serving as Rep. Greimel’s legislative director, will continue in that position and add the duties of deputy chief of staff. Beard has also served as the legislative director for Rep. Phil Cavanagh (D-Redford Township) and a legislative aide to former Rep. Kate Ebli (D-Frenchtown Township). Before that, she worked as a scheduler and event organizer for Governor Jennifer Granholm’s reelection campaign in 2006 and the Granholm inauguration in 2007. She holds a bachelor’s degree in social science from Michigan State University.