LANSING — Gov. Rick Snyder today announced that Jeff Holyfield, whose career in journalism and public relations spans more than three decades, will serve as director of communications for the governor’s office.
“Openly and effectively communicating our policy objectives to the public is a critical driver of Michigan’s reinvention. Jeff’s expertise and leadership will be instrumental in enhancing our commitment to share information and helping our team build on its already strong performance,” Snyder said.
Holyfield will begin his new position on March 4. He comes to the governor’s office after a 15-year career at Consumers Energy where he now serves as executive director of media relations and communications services. Before joining Consumers Energy, he was vice president of a Lansing public relations firm for two years.
He began his career with The Associated Press. During his 17 years with the news service, he worked as a reporter and editor in the Kansas City, Mo., and Denver, Colo., bureaus, and was appointed chief of the AP’s Lansing bureau in 1987 where he served until 1995.
Holyfield earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Kansas State University and a master’s degree in journalism from The Ohio State University. He attended Ohio State as a Kiplinger Fellow.
Holyfield resides in Laingsburg with his wife and their youngest daughter. The couple also has two grown daughters.
He replaces Geralyn Lasher, who joined the Michigan Department of Community Health as senior deputy director for external relations and communications.
