N.C. Public Safety hires legislative and policy staffers

RALEIGH — The N.C. Department of Public Safety announced the addition of three new staff members who will serve on Secretary Erik A. Hooks’ leadership team. Susanna Davis will serve as legislative affairs director for the department, Alicia Davis will serve as legislative counsel and Mike Daniska was named director of policy and planning.

“All three of these professionals have proven track records as knowledgeable and dedicated public servants,” said Hooks. “Their combined experience and knowledge of state government and legislative operations and policy matters are tremendous assets for the department given the plethora and volume of issues that public safety encompasses. We look forward to working with each of them.”

Susanna Davis previously worked in the Cooper administration as the legislative liaison for the Office of State Human Resources and prior to that worked for Williams Mullen law firm and the Office of Gov. Beverly Perdue. She holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington.

Alicia Davis previously worked as a document review specialist for the company Hire Counsel. Prior to pursuing a legal career, she worked in the office of former State Treasurer Janet Cowell as a communications specialist. She holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from NC State and a doctorate from N.C. Central University School of Law where she graduated in 2016.

Mike Daniska has spent the past 11 years working in various positions within the department’s Emergency Management division as a grants manager, homeland security planner, and coordinator for policy and legislative efforts. Since 2014, he has served as the assistant director for Homeland Security and Planning. He holds a bachelor’s degree in political science and a master’s degree in public administration from East Carolina University.