Mayor-Elect William Cogswell announced the key members of his executive team. You can learn more about each below (staff backgrounds provided by his team):
Elizabeth Applegate Dieck - Chief of Staff
Bringing vast experience and organizational acumen to the role, Elizabeth Dieck assumes the position of Chief of Staff. An attorney by trade, Dieck has over 16 years of private practice, most recently at Parker Poe, Attorneys and Counselors at Law, where she focuses on environmental, regulatory, and administrative law. She is the former Director of Environmental Affairs for the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC), where she served as chief environmental regulator for all environmental programs in the State of South Carolina. During her tenure at DHEC, she worked closely with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE), the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (DNR), other federal, state, and local regulators, as well as industry and environmental groups. Dieck is a lifelong resident of Charleston, and she is an active and enthusiastic member of the community.
Logan McVey - Chief Policy Officer
As Chief Policy Officer, Logan McVey will take the lead in formulating and executing crucial policies vital to the city's growth and prosperity. McVey's professional journey has seen him navigate complex legislative and regulatory landscapes across all levels of government — from Capitol Hill to local municipalities. He has provided adept communications and policy guidance in both the public and private sectors. A graduate of the University of South Carolina with a background in economics and a specific focus on the impact of public policy, McVey brings a comprehensive skill set to his role, positioning him to influence policies that will significantly shape the city's trajectory.
Deja Knight McMillan - Director of Communications
Assuming the crucial responsibility of effectively conveying the Mayor's message to the public and media, Deja McMillan steps into the role of Director of Communications. McMillan's journey includes serving on Cogswell’s successful mayoral campaign, where her adept communication skills played a pivotal role. In 2020, she took on the role of South Carolina Communications Advisor to Presidential Candidate Amy Klobuchar. Drawing from a diverse career, McMillan has served as a broadcast news journalist at Live 5 News in Charleston and WTVF in Nashville, TN. Her expertise further expanded as a Public Relations Executive for a Boston-based firm, culminating in the establishment of her own communications agency headquartered in Charleston.
Wendell Gilliard - Special Advisor - Quality of Life and Community Outreach
Serving as a Special Advisor, Wendell Gilliard brings years of knowledge and experience in community engagement and public service, once awarded the President's Volunteer Service Award for outstanding community service and was recently recognized as Legislature of the Year by the "Coalition for Access to Health Care" organization. He has been President of USW Local for 15 years, served his community as a member of the Charleston City Council for 11 years, and represented the people of District 111 in the SC House of Representatives for the past 15 years.
Mika Gadsden - Special Advisor - Community and Environmental Initiatives
Known for her unwavering advocacy and active community engagement, Mika Gadsden is set to undertake the role of Special Advisor on Community and Environmental Initiatives. Her profound insights into community relations align seamlessly with the Mayor's commitment to nurturing a thriving and diverse city. Notably, Gadsden's impactful contributions include co-founding Friends of Gadsden Creek, an environmental and social advocacy group dedicated to preserving the peninsula’s last natural tidal creek and the surrounding neighborhood, Gadsden Green.
"I am honored to have such a dedicated and accomplished team joining me to serve the people of Charleston," Mayor-Elect Cogswell said. "Their combined experience and perspectives will be invaluable in our mission to make our city one we can all be proud of. We are ready to get to work."
He also noted he is not currently implementing changes to the existing departments; however, a "comprehensive analysis will be conducted in the coming months in collaboration with staff and consultants to identify opportunities for enhancing operational and communications efficiencies."
