MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) - Gov. Robert Bentley’s chief of staff is leaving for an insurance job and is being replaced on an interim basis by former House Speaker Seth Hammett.
Bentley said David Perry announced during a staff meeting Wednesday that he is leaving. His new job is vice president of operational risk at Protective Life insurance company in Birmingham.
Perry began as Bentley’s state finance director in January 2011 and then moved up to chief of staff later that year. He worked with a Birmingham law firm before joining Bentley’s staff.
Perry has been commuting from his home in Homewood. He told the governor’s staff that he was changing jobs, in part, to be closer to his family.
Hammett spent 12 years as the Democratic speaker of the House before retiring in 2010. He served as interim director of the state’s industry recruiting agency for six months at the start of Bentley’s term in 2011 and then returned to his hometown of Andalusia.
The change comes as Bentley seeks a second term. He faces two opponents in the Republican primary June 3, but he has raised more than $1,000 in campaign donations for each dollar they have raised.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.