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Laurel Dawson

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Laurel Dawson
Prior offices:
Chief of Staff to the Governor of Ohio
Years in office: 2019 - 2021
Successor: Michael Hall (R)
Education
Bachelor's
Miami University
Graduate
American University

Laurel Dawson is a Republican political advisor in the state of Ohio. She was the chief of staff for the gubernatorial administration of Mike DeWine (R) from 2019 to 2021. Dawson resigned on May 20, 2021, to become counselor to the governor.[1][2]

Education

Dawson obtained an undergraduate degree from Miami University in 1979 and a master's degree in organizational development from American University in 2000.[3]

Career

Prior to becoming Gov. DeWine's chief of staff, Dawson worked in the public and private sectors. A press release from the governor's office described her prior role as coaching "executives and senior leadership teams in the public and private sectors." Dawson also worked in higher education and with nonprofit organizations.[1]

Dawson was cabinet director for Ohio Gov. George Voinovich (R). She also served as chief of staff to Mike DeWine when he was a member of the U.S. Congress.[1]

Mike DeWine chief of staff

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On December 5, 2018, Gov. Mike DeWine announced Dawson as chief of staff.[1] She resigned on May 20, 2021, to become counselor to the governor.[2]

Chief of staff

See also: Gubernatorial chiefs of staff
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In 2019, Ballotpedia identified Laurel Dawson as a gubernatorial chief of staff. A chief of staff is the lead staff member of an administration and is responsible for implementing the governor's agenda.

The role is both a managerial and advisory position, although specific duties vary by each administration. The chief of staff typically has the following responsibilities, according to the National Governors Association (NGA):[4]

  • Control access to the governor and manage the governor's calendar;
  • Monitor the flow of information to the governor on policy issues;
  • Oversee gubernatorial Cabinet and staff; and
  • Manage and communicate the governor's policy agenda to the state legislature and the public.

In terms of policymaking, the NGA notes that a chief of staff is responsible for bringing policy and communications together: "The chief is responsible for overseeing the development of the governor’s policy agenda. The policy director or advisor is typically responsible for shaping the general concepts and specific details of the agenda with input from the communications director, policy staff, and cabinet members. The chief often must take charge and bring the pieces together coherently."[4]

See also

External links

Footnotes