In what could be an indication the governor has decided to file for U.S. Senate opposing Democratic incumbent Bill Nelson, Rick Scott announced Monday the resignation of his chief of staff, Jackie Schutz Zeckman, and the appointment of her replacement, Brad Piepenbrink.
Adding fuel to the fire, only minutes after Scott posted the chief-of-staff change, he blasted on social media that Floridians could expect a "big announcement" from him in two weeks.
“Join me the morning of April 9th on Facebook Live, as I make a big announcement.,” a tweet from @ScottForFlorida said.
Qualifying for federal candidates begins at noon Monday, April 30, and ends at noon Friday, May 4.
Scott didn't let the speculation rain on his chief-of-staff news. He said Zeckman, his sixth COS, resigned Sunday "to pursue other opportunities."
“Jackie has been on my team since my first year in office and has been a trusted and loyal advisor," he said in a written statement.
"During her time in the Governor’s Office, she led communications efforts and helped lead my legislative strategy during last year’s special legislative session and this year’s session where we secured many victories for Florida families. She also spent years as traveling press secretary where she has coordinated our communications efforts in every Florida media market, and in other states and nations during our economic development missions. She has been dedicated to implementing my agenda throughout my time as Governor and I know she will continue to do great things for our state.”
Scott also made a strong case for Piepenbrink, 32. "Brad has done an incredible job in the many important positions he has held throughout my administration," he said.
"He effectively ran our external affairs operation, which has consisted of thousands of events across the state and has led the development of significant policy initiatives throughout my time in office. Brad also oversaw the appointments process of individuals to more than 600 boards and commissions. He was also a key component of my successful reelection efforts and has been critical to carrying out my agenda to make Florida the best state for families and job creators."
Brad Piepenbrink most recently served as deputy chief of staff in the Governor’s Office where he oversaw the governor’s policy development over the environment, health care, transportation, law enforcement and emergency management and was also the director of the Office of External Affairs. He served in this role since the governor’s reelection in 2014. Before this, he served as political director for Scott’s reelection campaign.
During the governor’s first term, Piepenbrink served as Scott's director of external affairs, deputy chief of staff at the Department of Education, and travel-aide to the governor. Earlier in his career, he also served Senate President Andy Gardiner in the Senate Majority Office and was the legislative aide to Senate President Pro Tempore Garrett Richter. He began his career working for John McCain’s Presidential Campaign in 2008.
Piepenbrink holds a bachelor’s degree in communications from Florida Gulf Coast University and an MBA from the University of Florida.
He has been paid a base salary of $133,000; Zeckman, $166,000.
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