LANSING — House Democratic Leader Tim Greimel (D-Auburn Hills) has named four key staffing positions. Patti Tremblay – Pluta has been named legal counsel, while continuing in their positions are Ben Miller as constituent relations director, Mark Salogar as policy director and Maureen Watson Bolger as deputy policy director for the House Democratic Caucus. Greimel became the leader of the Democratic Caucus on Jan. 1, and the positions of the newly named staffers began then as well.
“I look forward to working with Patti, Ben, Mark and Maureen to improve the economic success and well-being of middle-class families,” Greimel said. “While the Republicans have passed a number of laws recently that will have dire consequences for everyday Michiganders, the House Democratic Caucus remains as committed as ever to fighting for the working men and women of this state.”
Most recently, Tremblay – Pluta worked on the House Democratic Policy staff as an analyst covering the Insurance and Regulatory Reform committees. Before that, she was employed with the House Clerk’s Office as a session and committee clerk. She holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from Michigan State University and a law degree from Michigan State University College of Law.
Miller will continue in the position of constituent relations director. Miller has also served as executive director for the Coalition for Progress, in the government affairs office at Butzel Long, and on the Calhoun County Commission from 2001 to 2006. Miller holds a bachelor’s degree in political science and journalism from Northern Michigan University.
Mark Salogar has been the director of the House Democratic Policy staff since 2007, having moved into the position after serving as its deputy director. Before that, he was on the policy staff as an analyst from 2003 to 2006. Salogar was the district office manager for Congressman Jim Barcia from 1993 to 2002, and served as Barcia’s legislative assistant from 1984-1992 when Barcia was in the state Senate. Salogar holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from Saginaw Valley State University.
Maureen Watson Bolger has been with the House Democratic Caucus since 2007. She previously worked for state Sen. Buzz Thomas, the Center for Urban Studies at Wayne State University, and was a research fellow with Citizens Research Council of Michigan while attending graduate school. Watson-Bolger earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from Central Michigan University and a master’s in public administration from Wayne State University.