September 18, 2017      5:43 PM
Updated: Abbott announces staffing shakeup
Luis Saenz is new COS, Tommy Williams joins as fiscal adviser, John Colyandro is senior adviser, Walter Fisher is legislative director, and Peggy Venable will be appointments director
Gov. Greg Abbott has named Luis Saenz his chief of staff upon the
announcement of the departure of his long-time COS Daniel Hodge, who’s leaving Abbott’s office for the private sector.
Hodge
has been the one constant since Abbott took the job of governor in 2015 after
coming with him from the Office of the Attorney General. Abbott
praised his departing team, expressing appreciation for their work, particularly
during Hurricane Harvey.
“Their
dedicated work provided swift and substantial support to the citizens of Texas
who were hit by Hurricane Harvey,” Abbott said. “They also helped me fulfill
many of the proposals that I offered in my bicentennial blueprint that I ran on
when I ran for governor. And they also helped me to pass all of my emergency
item proposals in my first two sessions.”
Gov. Abbott
promised “big ideas” he intends to tackle in the upcoming session in 2019, but
declined to say what any of those ideas are. He said his team is dedicated first
to Harvey relief efforts.
By Kimberly Reeves
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