Gov. John Baldacci announced the first wave of staffing changes in his administration last week, tapping his long-time friend and current economic development commissioner, Jack Cashman, to be his senior economic adviser.
Cashman said he and Baldacci go back 30 years. Both men, and their fathers, served on their respective city councils – Baldacci in Bangor and Cashman in Old Town – and both families ran restaurants. Both men also came to the Legislature in 1982, Cashman as a state representative and Baldacci as a senator.
Cashman said he is committed to helping the governor improve the business climate in Maine and fulfill one of Baldacci’s goals, which is to be remembered as the governor who turned the economy around and attracted new jobs to the state.
The move opens up Cashman’s old job of commissioner of the Department of Economic and Community Development. The rumor mill has been running overtime on who will fill that commissioner’s post, but Cashman confirmed that outgoing House Speaker John Richardson had shown an interest. The governor’s press office said no announcement would be made on the new commissioner until mid- to late-December.
Attorney Michael Mahoney of Preti Flaherty, who represented the Maine Democratic Party in the last election, has been named the governor’s chief legal counsel. He replaces Tom Federle, who is returning to private practice.
Ryan Low, the state budget officer, has been named deputy chief of staff, and will be the administration’s lead in moving key initiatives through the legislative process.
Karin Tilberg, deputy commissioner of the Department of Conservation, has been named a senior policy advisor, replacing Dick Davies. Another senior policy adviser, Alan Stearns, is also leaving that post. Stearns and Davies will be tapped for other
positions within the administration, according to the governor’s office.
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