Hubbard adds five Riley veterans to his staff

House Speaker Mike Hubbard, R-Auburn, has announced all of his six-member staff, which includes five former staffers of Gov. Bob Riley.
He previously announced five of those hires, but former Riley press secretary Todd Stacy has also joined his staff as communications director.
Previously announced hires include: Chief of Staff Josh Blades, who served as deputy chief of staff to Riley; legislative counsel Jason Isbell, who worked for the Legislative Fiscal Office for eight years; legislative analyst Sommer Vaughn, who was executive assistant to Riley's chief of staff; policy analyst Boone Kinard, who was senior constituent services specialist for Riley; and executive assistant Erica McLain, who was an assistant scheduler in Riley's office.
"I've always believed in order to be successful, you must surround yourself with dedicated, intelligent and talented team members who will serve with integrity," Hubbard said in a statement. "That description fits this team perfectly. We are committed to being a legislative body that is productive, accountable and responsive to the people's needs. I'm certain the individuals we have brought together in the speaker's office will help our 105 members do just that."

-- posted by Sebastian Kitchen

Riley deputy will be top staffer for new speaker

Josh Blades, deputy chief of staff for Gov. Bob Riley, will finish his term with the governor before moving Jan. 18 to work as chief of staff for new House Speaker Mike Hubbard, R-Auburn.
Hubbard said Blades has "already been working and helping and preparing and that sort of thing."
"He's going to be great," Hubbard said. "He's a sharp young man."
Jeff Woodard, who was the chief of staff for former Speaker Seth Hammett, will be moving into another role in the House, Hubbard said.
Hubbard said he is expanding the number of employees in the speaker's office from four to six, but will keep the budget essentially the same because those working for him will be paid less.
Other hires by Hubbard include legislative analyst Sommer Vaughn, legislative counsel Jason Isbell, policy analyst Boone Kinard, and executive assistant Erica McLain.
Hubbard said he has yet to hire a communications director.
Vaughn is assistant to Riley’s chief of staff Dave Stewart. Hubbard said she worked for the Republican Party before going to work for Stewart.
Isbell is an attorney and has worked with the Legislative Fiscal Office for eight years so "he brings a great deal of knowledge about the budgets and policy," Hubbard said.
Kinard has worked in constituent services in the governor's office and McLain works in the governor's scheduling office.
The speaker said he hopes to revamp the office where more services and resources are available to House members and there is less dependence on information from lobbyists.

-- posted by Sebastian Kitchen