Richard Sun

Policy Advisor for Transportation

Start date: 3/29/2021

Richard is taking over the policy portfolio previously managed by Vinn White, who left the Governor’s Office earlier this year for the U.S. Department of Transportation. Richard was previously Special Advisor for New Mobility at NJ TRANSIT. He most recently was a Senior Associate at McKinsey and company. He is a graduate of Columbia University and Harvard Law School.

Hannah Thonet

Policy Advisor for Energy and the Environment

Start date: 4/12/2021

Hannah comes to the Governor’s Office from the Board of Public Utilities, where she serves as Senior Policy Advisor. She earned her BA at Syracuse University and her MA at Columbia. She is filling the role previously held by Jane Cohen, now the Executive Director of the Governor’s Office of Climate Action and the Green Economy.

Samantha Parker

Director of Appointments

Start date: 3/15/2021

Samantha comes to the Governor’s Office from the Society for the Prevention of Teen Suicide, where she was the Development and Public Affairs Director. She is taking over the DoA position from Tim Hillman, who is now Deputy Chief of Staff for Intergovernmental Affairs. She holds both a BA and MA from the University of Southern Maine.