Huntsman appoints four to senior staff

Gov.-elect Jon Huntsman Jr. on Thursday appointed his first senior staffers at the Capitol.

Three of the four staffers already hold jobs at the governor's office.

The Republican Huntsman, who takes office Jan. 3, appointed his campaign manager Jason Chaffetz as chief of staff.

In other appointments:

— Richard Ellis will remain director of the Governor's Office of Planning and Budget;

— Deputy budget director Neil Ashdown will serve as deputy chief of staff for policy;

— Chris Roybal will continue to serve as senior adviser for economic development.

The governor's most important appointment was Chaffetz as chief of staff.

Chaffetz worked for Nu-Skin Enterprises as general manager of Australia and New Zealand operations, then became a partner at the sales and marketing firm Maxtera.

Chaffetz earned a Bachelor of Arts in communications from Brigham Young University on an athletic scholarship as place-kicker for the football team.

"Having worked closely with these four gentlemen I have great confidence in the judgment, dedication, and professionalism they will bring to the state of Utah. I am thrilled they are willing to help us move this state forward," Huntsman said Thursday in a statement.