Robert Gordon said abrupt resignation was a 'surprise to him' during testimony to MI House committee Former Michigan Health and Human Services Director Robert Gordon said his abrupt resignation from the Whitmer administration on Jan. 22 was a surprise to him. Posted at 11:59 AM, Apr 29, 2021 and last updated 2021-04-29 18:20:46-04 (WXYZ) â Former Michigan Health and Human Services Director Robert Gordon said his abrupt resignation from the Whitmer administration on Jan. 22 was a surprise to him. Gordon appeared before the House Oversight Committee on Thursday after the committee voted to subpoena him. Gordon and the governor were both criticized for entering into a confidentiality agreement to pay Gordon $155,000 and six months of health care coverage in exchange for not suing the state.