Breaking news

3:01pm...just heard Iowa Governor Chet Culver's Chief of Staff Patrick Dillon is stepping down. His wife is moving to D.C. No confirmation from his office yet...

UPDATE:
3:11pm...I didn't get a call back from his office confirming this, but the office did email a statement. Dillon's departure had been rumored months ago when his wife worked for the Obama campaign out of state.

GOVERNOR CULVER APPOINTS CHARLES KROGMEIER AS NEW CHIEF OF STAFF, PATRICK DILLON TO STEP DOWN

Current Director of Department of Management to Assume Role

DES MOINES – Chief of Staff Patrick Dillon announced today that he is stepping down from his position, and Governor Culver announced that he has appointed Charles Krogmeier, currently Director of the Department of Management and a longtime state government manager, to succeed him.

Dillon is moving to Washington, DC, with his wife, Jennifer O’Malley Dillon, who was recently appointed Executive Director of the Democratic National Committee.

"Patrick Dillon has been an invaluable member of our team for more than three years, and I cannot thank him enough for his service to the people of Iowa. Most importantly, I appreciate his personal friendship and trusted advice,” said Governor Culver. “I’m sorry to see him leave Iowa for now, but Patrick and I have always said that we married up, and I fully understand he needs to be in the same city as his better half. I wish him all the best as he begins a new chapter in his career during this exciting transition to a new Administration."

Dillon has served as Chief of Staff since his appointment in December 2006. Prior to that time, he managed the Governor's campaign.

"This time of great change at the state and national levels is also a time of change in my life, and so now is the right time for me to be with my wife," said Dillon. "It has been the privilege of my life to work every day helping Governor Culver and Lt. Governor Judge serve the people of Iowa. I am forever grateful for the opportunity to work side-by-side with so many committed public servants throughout state government, among them Charlie Krogmeier. There is no person better suited for these challenging times in state government.”

"I am very pleased that my good friend and longtime advisor Charlie Krogmeier has agreed to serve as Chief of Staff,” added Governor Culver. “His rich experience in state and local government, thorough knowledge of the state budget, and extensive management skills all make him the best person for the job."

"I am honored to have this new opportunity to serve the people of Iowa," said Krogmeier. "I am ready to go to work helping Governor Culver and Lt. Governor Judge to meet the challenges of rebuilding Iowa, balancing the budget and creating jobs across the state.”

Krogmeier was appointed by the Governor to the position of Director of the Department of Management in December 2006, and confirmed by the Senate in March 2007. The Department of Management is the executive branch's planning and budget agency and serves as the Governor's principal financial advisor.

Previously, Krogmeier directed the gubernatorial transition in 2006, and served as First Deputy Secretary of State from June of 2004 to November 2006. Prior to that he was a partner in the Des Moines law firm of Brown, Winick, Graves, Gross, Baskerville and Schoenebaum for 7 years. Krogmeier began his career in public service as a Lee County Supervisor (1979-86) followed by service as General Counsel to the Iowa Department of Transportation (1986-89) and as a Deputy Attorney General (1989-1997).

Krogmeier assumes the position of Chief of Staff effective immediately, and Dillon will serve in an advisory role through a transition period.