Nesbitt to be governor’s chief of staff

Tim Nesbitt, a former president of the Oregon AFL-CIO and current deputy chief of staff to Gov. Ted Kulongoski, will be promoted to chief of staff effective June 18. Nesbitt will succeed Chip Terhune, who has accepted the position of director of environmental and public affairs at Schnitzer Steel Industries, Inc.

“Tim has successfully developed and managed many policy and legislative issues on which I place a high priority,” said Kulongoski, who is term limited in 2010. “His knowledge and passion for public policy are invaluable and I am pleased he has accepted this new role.”

Nesbitt has served as the governor’s deputy chief of staff for health care, education and workforce development, land use, revenue, and public safety since December 2006.

Nesbitt was president of the Oregon AFL-CIO from 1999 to 2005. He left mid-term. Kulongoski hired him as an adviser to his re-election campaign in July 2006 and to his staff after winning re-election in November.