AUGUSTA (AP) – Gov. John Baldacci announced several major nominations to fill several key administrative and watchdog positions on Friday.

Baldacci nominated Rebecca Wyke to be executive director of the Finance Authority of Maine; Ryan Low to succeed Wyke at administrative and financial services; and acting commissioner Ann Head to be permanent commissioner of the Department of Professional and Financial Regulation. Also, gubernatorial aide Jack Cashman was tapped to fill a vacancy on Maine’s three-member Public Utilities Commission.

“These key people, put in key positions in my administration, will enable my strategic initiatives to move forward as we confront a tough, uncertain national economy,” Baldacci said.

Wyke has served for the last five years as the commissioner of the Department of Administrative and Financial Services; Lowe currently serves as Baldacci’s deputy chief of staff; Head has served several stints as acting commissioner of the Department of Professional and Financial Regulation.

Cashman currently serves as Baldacci’s senior economic adviser and was previously the commissioner of the Maine Department of Economic and Community Development.

The nominations are subject to review by committees and confirmation by the state Senate, which has scheduled a confirmation session for Aug. 20.

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