Snyder names Muchmore chief of staff

LANSING, Mich. (AP) - Gov.-elect Rick Snyder has named longtime Lansing lobbyist and former Michigan United Conservation Clubs executive director Dennis Muchmore as his chief of staff.

During a Monday afternoon news conference, Snyder also said Geralyn Lasher will be his communications director. She's now with the state Department of Community Health.

Michael Gadola will serve as legal affairs director once Snyder takes office Jan. 1. Gadola has been the Michigan Supreme Court's legal counsel for most of the past decade.

Snyder already has named Democratic House Speaker Andy Dillon as the incoming treasurer, Public Sector Consultants head William Rustem as director of strategy and former Republican Lt. Gov. Dick Posthumus as senior adviser focused on legislative affairs.