One of Chris Gregoire’s first big breaks back in the ’80s was when then-Gov. Booth Gardner named her state Ecology Director. Despite her slim environmental credentials, she became a Cabinet star and the name-ID helped her win five statewide elections – three as attorney general and now two as governor.  Her first chief of staff as governor was Tom Fitzsimmons – another former Ecology director like herself.  When he retired, Gregoire picked Cindy Zehnder, the former TVW president and chief clerk of the House.

Today that old Ecology connection was on display again. Gregoire tapped Fitzsimmons’ successor at Ecology, the well-regarded Jay Mannning, as Zehnder’s successor as chief of staff. She’s retiring from the high-pressure post, but is expected to get another plum assignment.

Chief of staff is the most powerful post in the bureaucracy, acting as traffic cop, policy advisor, staff director, Cabinet leader, and so on.

Like the governor, Manning also has an attorney general’s office connection. Both were assistant attorneys general. No word on new Ecology pick – perhaps Zehnder?  Just kiddin’.