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News Release

SECRETARY THOMPSON NAMES SCOTT WHITAKER AS CHIEF OF STAFF

Secretary Tommy G. Thompson appointed today Scott Whitaker as his chief of staff effective June 2. The 35-year-old Florida native currently serves as assistant secretary for legislation at HHS.

Whitaker brings more than a decade of legislative experience to the job as day-to-day manager of the Office of the Secretary and overall HHS operations.

"Scott is a talented leader with proven policy and political skills," Secretary Thompson said. "We have an ambitious domestic agenda we want to accomplish for the President this year and Scott's experience on the Hill will be a strong asset in our endeavors. Scott is well liked by those who work with him. His ability to bring people together on difficult issues will continue to serve the department well in his challenging new position."

Whitaker was appointed by President Bush in February 2001 to serve as assistant secretary for legislation (ASL), and later confirmed to that post by the Senate. As the ASL, Whitaker managed all legislative operations for HHS, served as senior advisor to the Secretary on legislative matters and was the department's liaison to Congress.

Prior to joining the Bush Administration, Whitaker served his entire career with Republican Oklahoma Sen. Don Nickles.

Whitaker joined Sen. Nickles out of college in 1991 as a staff assistant before serving as a campaign aide the next year. He returned to the senator's office after the election, rising from legislative staff assistant to executive assistant to legislative assistant in 1994.

In 1997, Nickles appointed Whitaker as policy advisor for the Office of the Assistant Majority Leader, where he served for the next four years.

After receiving a bachelor's degree in political science from Palm Beach Atlantic College, Whitaker went on to earn his master's degree in government from Johns Hopkins University.

Whitaker and his wife, Michelle, reside in Northern Virginia with their two children.

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Last Revised: May 27, 2003