Governor Bobby Jindal announced Tuesday that Kristy Nichols will be leaving the role of Commissioner of Administration to pursue work in the private sector and that Stafford Palmieri will replace Commissioner Nichols as the head of the Division of Administration, effective October 15, 2015. Palmieri currently serves as the Deputy Chief of Staff in the Governor’s Office.
Governor Jindal also announced that Natalie LaBorde will replace Palmieri as Deputy Chief of Staff in the Governor’s Office.
Governor Jindal said, “From day one, Kristy has been a key team player who has fully dedicated herself to bettering the state of Louisiana. Together, we’ve been able to reduce the size of government, improve health care across the state, and create a better, stronger Louisiana. I am proud of the work she has accomplished during her time with us and I wish her all the best in this next venture. Stafford has been a crucial member of our administration and has always tackled any challenge head-on. I know she will be an excellent leader at the Division and continue to work hard to serve the people who call Louisiana home.”
Commissioner Nichols said, “It has been both a pleasure and an honor serving the people of this great state. I am proud of the work that we have accomplished to make Louisiana a better place to live and raise a family, and I am confident that we will continue down this path. I want to thank Governor Jindal for giving me the opportunity to help realize these goals.”
Nichols will be taking a position with Ochsner Health System as Vice President for Corporate Affairs. There she will continue her work of providing quality healthcare to the people of Louisiana. “We are excited to bring the level of experience and expertise that Kristy Nichols has to our organization,” said David Gaines, Senior Vice President of Public Affairs and CEO of System Retail Services at Ochsner Health System. “Ms. Nichols’ significant skill and proven ability to inform and manage complex processes will be an asset as we expand from both a geographic and strategic perspective.”