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News Release

SECRETARY THOMPSON ANNOUNCES CHIEF OF STAFF WOOD'S DEPARTURE

HHS Secretary Tommy G. Thompson announced today that Bob Wood, his long-time chief of staff, is leaving the Department of Health and Human Services for an opportunity in the private sector.

Secretary Thompson said Wood, 36, is a close confidante, dedicated public servant and strong manager of policy and personnel, whose skills and personal touch will be missed by the department.

"Bob is one of the most trusted and talented advisors I've ever had, and he's one of the most skilled and dedicated public servants I've had the privilege to work with," Secretary Thompson said. "Bob helped lead a challenging transition for HHS, with its upgrades in the wake of terrorism, its push for advancements in science, and its leadership role in developing cutting-edge health policy for the betterment of all Americans. He will be missed by myself and his HHS colleagues."

Wood, who will join the public affairs firm Barbour Griffith & Rogers as Vice President and Director of State Affairs, has served Secretary Thompson since 1994, when he joined the then-Governor of Wisconsin as an education policy advisor. Wood quickly rose to become one of Governor Thompson's closest advisors, serving as policy director before leaving to be campaign manager for the Governor's history-making 1998 campaign. After the campaign, Wood returned to the Governor's office as chief of staff.

When President Bush nominated Secretary Thompson to lead the Department of Health and Human Services in 2000, the Secretary asked Wood to be his chief of staff. Wood also had coordinated statewide campaign activities for President Bush in Wisconsin.

As the Secretary's chief of staff, Wood served as the chief manager of the day-to-day operations of the department and the Secretary's activities. He played the leadership role in policy development, personnel decisions and public affairs outreach efforts. Wood was the department's chief liaison with the White House, with other federal departments, and with governors' offices throughout the country.

"Bob is a strong manager who gets things done," Secretary Thompson said. "He's a people person with the unique ability to build coalitions and work with divergent groups toward common goals. He has a savvy ability to marry policy and politics in way that brings people together and gets issues addressed."

Wood got his start in government working as an intern for Congressman Scott Klug, a Madison Republican. Wood rose there to manage two of Klug's re-election campaigns.

A native of Rockford, Ill., and graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Wood lives in Alexandria, Va., with his wife, Carrie, and three children, Katie, Jack and Olivia.

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Last Revised: April 30, 2003