Governor-elect Rick Snyder announced on Thursday that Michigan Secretary of State Deputy Director Duane Berger will serve as acting director of the Michigan Department of Human Services (MDHS).

Berger currently serves as senior deputy director of the Michigan Secretary of State and has worked in senior leadership roles within Michigan government since 1992. During the final term of former Governor Engler, he served as the director of the Michigan Management and Budget Department. Berger holds a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration from Morningside College.

In addition to Berger, former state Rep. Dudley Spade and Brian Rooney will serve as deputy directors within the department. Spade, a Democrat from Tipton, was chair of the state House MDHS Appropriations Subcommittee. Rooney is currently an attorney and director of communications and development at the Thomas More Law Center. He was a former Republican candidate in the 7th Congressional District, which was ultimately won by U.S. Representative-elect Tim Walberg (R-Tipton).

It is anticipated that Michigan Supreme Court Justice Maura Corrigan will be named the permanent director in early 2011. Corrigan will need to resign from the Michigan Supreme Court to become MDHS director; however, the official announcement cannot occur until Snyder takes office on Saturday. This timing will avoid outgoing Democrat Gov. Granholm from appointing Corrigan's replacement.