Brad Shannon:
The Politics Blog

Brad Shannon maintains this blog. He is political editor at The Olympian and can be reached at 360-753-1688 or bshannon@theolympian.com.

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Gregoire chief of staff Cindy Zehnder is resigning

• Published August 03, 2009

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Cindy Zehnder says she is resigning as the governor's chief of staff in the fall after two years in the "24/7" pressure cooker.

"After two years on the job, I am ready for a change," Zehnder said today. She announced the decision today to the governor's cabinet, and Gregoire issued a short statement calling it "bittersweet."

Zehnder, 60, started in the position on Oct. 1, 2007, and said two years is a typical length of service. She succeeded Tom Fitzsimmons, who served about five years including time with former Gov. Gary Locke.

Zehnder is staying on until the fall to give the second-term Democrat time to find a replacement. "She and I are talking about another role in her administration. We don't have details yet. I'm also open to other opportunities that come my way," Zehnder said.

The job gave her satisfactions and disappointments. "I think for me the most memorable experience was working with our entire cabinet to respond to the floods last year and see the extraordinary efforts by our staff and the community to respond and take care of citizens and help with the recovery � that's the kind of experience a lot of people don�t get and I'll certainly cherish," Zehnder said.

As for the down side, she said: "It is the 24/7 commitment that it takes to do the job. You just need to be willing to do that for as long as you can do the job."

Her advice to the next chief of staff: "Get ready to work at the speed of Gregoire."

Zehnder previously served as president of TVW, as House Chief Clerk for about five years, with the Teamsters, and on numerous boards including as a University of Washington regent.

Gregoire's statement:

"It is bittersweet to hear of Cindy's announcement to pursue other opportunities. Her gracious strength is something I admire and will greatly miss. In her tenure as chief of staff, she has supported me and led this team through two very difficult legislative sessions, multiple natural emergencies, and a deluge of every day matters that required constant diligence. "Given these accomplishments and around the clock commitment, I understand now is the time for change. I wish Cindy extraordinary happiness in her next endeavor."