Gov.-elect McDonnell announces senior advisers to transition team

Senior advisers to Gov.-elect Bob McDonnell's transition team include former members of Congress, veterans of former Gov. George Allen's administration, and representatives of key constituent groups, from business to the National Rifle Association and The Virginia Family Foundation.

The senior advisers, announced yesterday, are:

• Michel Zajur of Richmond, founder and president of the Virginia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.

• W. Heywood Fralin of Roanoke, chief executive officer of Medical Facilities of America and rector of the board of visitors at the University of Virginia.

• Ed Gillespie of Fairfax County, who served as chairman of McDonnell for Governor. He served as counselor to then-President George W. Bush and has been chairman of the Republican National Committee and the Virginia Republican Party.

• Frank Atkinson of Richmond, chairman of McGuireWoods Consulting LLC and a partner in McGuireWoods LLP. Atkinson was counselor and policy director under Gov. George Allen.

• Betsy Beamer of Richmond, secretary of the commonwealth in Allen's administration.

• Thelma Drake of Norfolk, who served the 2nd District in Congress from 2004 to 2009. She lost her seat last year to Democrat Glenn Nye.

• Thomas M. Davis III of Fairfax County, who represented the 11th District in the U.S. House from 1995-2009. He did not seek re-election last year.

• Diana Cantor of Richmond, a managing director of New York Private Bank & Trust Corp. Cantor, the wife of Rep. Eric I. Cantor, R-7th, served as the founder and executive director of the Virginia College Savings Plan from 1996-2007. She serves on the board of directors of Media General Inc., parent company of the Richmond Times-Dispatch.

• Glen Huff of Virginia Beach, founder and a co-managing shareholder of Huff, Poole & Mahoney, P.C.

• Dave Barrett of Richmond, vice chairman of The Virginia Family Foundation.

• Chuck Cunningham of Fairfax County, director of federal affairs for the National Rifle Association.

• James S. Cheng of Fairfax County, president of Totus Lighting Solutions.

• Judy Ford Wason of Williamsburg, who headed Virginians for McDonnell during the 2009 campaign. She was executive director of Virginians for Mark Warner in the Democrat's 2001 gubernatorial race.

McDonnell also made additional appointments to his transition staff. They include Crystal Cameron as chief of staff to the future first lady; Taylor Thornley as deputy director of communications; Andrew Lamar as legislative liaison; and Brandon DeGraaf as community relations assistant.

Contact Andrew Cain at (804) 649-6645 or .