Transition director is appointed

Published: Thursday, June 18, 2009 1:28 a.m. MDT
 |  E-MAIL | PRINT | FONT + - 

Lt. Gov. Gary Herbert still doesn't know exactly when he'll take over as governor, but on Wednesday, he appointed the state's top economic-development official to head his transition team.

Jason Perry, executive director of the Governor's Office of Economic Development since 2006, will help Herbert put together the staff he'll need as governor, as well as make the other preparations necessary for the transition.

Herbert can't move up until Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. resigns. Huntsman, named by President Barack Obama in mid-May as ambassador to China, still needs to be confirmed by the U.S. Senate. Huntsman is being formally vetted by the Obama administration, so his confirmation hearing has not yet been scheduled.

Perry was praised by Herbert in a statement. "Jason brings with him leadership and policy expertise, and his years of state-government experience abundantly qualify him for this position."

Herbert said he's confident Perry will help him "lay the foundation for a very successful and progressive administration. Our goal will be to continue the forward momentum we began five years ago upon taking office."

Story continues below

The announcement fueled speculation among Capitol insiders that Perry would be tapped as Herbert's chief of staff. Huntsman had made economic development a centerpiece of his administration, leading several trade missions overseas in recent years, including to China.

Herbert has yet to settle on a lieutenant governor. However, he has said publicly he intends to keep Huntsman's current Cabinet in place.

E-MAIL: lisa@desnews.com

Recent comments

to "it speaks volumes" :

Huntsman and Herbert are two very...

Easy, Tiger | June 20, 2009 at 6:31 p.m.

...about government. Why do we need a transition team? Herbert's...

It speaks volumes... | June 18, 2009 at 1:10 p.m.

Mark Walker will be chief of staff.

the REAL rumor | June 17, 2009 at 5:49 p.m.

Image
Provided by the Governor's office

Jason Perry

previousnext

Latest comments

Crews free man in Utah County cave

Remember a few years ago the teens who died in a cave because of gases...

If they just went forward now, by the time they finished it, the recession...

Boys basketball rankings

Its Bingham Head Coach Dubauch. They retired his shirt after they won the...

I would act like this in public and especially here in Salt Lake City.

Letters: Trump card for believers

Get concerned all you want. This is not a Christian nation. Never was. Never...

Loved it!!! Good for all of us in Utah to see. Way to go.

Howard made the rivalry a rivalry

1937 Utah 14 BYU 0 (Utah has beaten BYU 9 straight games by a...

My point is that many people feel that Palin did win that debate, and not...

Again we see what it means to be a democrat. No policy, No solutions. They...

I saw the game and am still laughing about it.

Advertisements