Big staff shake-up in gov's office
Christie stayed in his comfort zone in naming replacements, drawing heavily from the attorneys who worked for him when he was U.S. Attorney.
Chief of Staff Rich Bagger, a former state senator, will return to the private sector to take a top position at Celgene Corporation.
Deputy Chief Counsel Kevin O'Dowd, who worked with Christie as a prosecutor at the U.S. Attorney's Office, becomes the chief of staff. He is married to Health Comissioner Mary O'Dowd.
Director of Homeland Security and Preparedness Charles McKenna, another former Christie colleague at the U.S. Attorney's Office, will be Christie's chief counsel. McKenna replaces Jeff Chiesa, who will become Attorney General. McKenna's replacement has yet to be named.
Deborah Gramiccioni, a former prosecutor whom I profiled here in her capacity as head of the Authorities Unit, will become Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy, replacing Wayne Hasenbalg, who goes on to lead the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority. Regina Egea, chief of staff to the treasurer, takes over as head of the Authorities Unit.
Paul Matey, the governor's senior counsel and another former lawyer at the U.S. Attorney's Office, becomes deputy chief counsel.