Rick Scott Hires His Sixth Chief Of Staff In Six Years

Florida Governor Rick Scott is getting his next chief of staff from the inside, appointing a high-ranking aide and his top spokesperson to be his right-hand.

Jackie Schultz-Zeckman will replace Kim McDougal as Scott’s chief of staff starting in July. McDougal has been Scott’s top aide since March 2016 but is leaving for a private sector opportunity.

Schultz-Zeckman has worked in the governor’s press office since 2011, making $135,000 a year. She also worked on Scott’s re-election campaign.

She is expected to get a $35 thousand a year bump in pay when she assumes her new role.

Chief of staff is one of the most powerful positions in any governor’s administration. Governor Scott has had six chiefs of staff during his six-and-a-half years in office.