Gregoire losing chief of staff

OLYMPIA – Cindy Zehnder’s reign as chief of staff for Gov. Chris Gregoire is coming to an end.

Zehnder announced today she will step down as the governor’s right-hand woman this fall. She started the job in October 2007 succeeding Tom Fitzsimmons who held the post under Gregoire and former Gov. Gary Locke.

When she phoned to let me know, she said she’s given all she’s got for nearly two years and is ready to try something new.

“It’s a 24-7 job and you give it everything you’ve got as long as you can,” she said. “The governor and I were friends when I began this job and we’re even better friends now."

Zehnder committed to help find her successor and said her next job may not be too far from her current one.

In an e-mail to colleagues, she wrote:

I am making this announcement now to give the Governor time to find my replacement and to allow for a smooth transition. My timeline for leaving is the fall. As for my future, the Governor and I are discussing other roles for me in her administration. I am also interested in seeing what opportunities might come my way. In the meantime, please know how much I have appreciated the opportunity to work with all of you. You have given me memories that I will cherish forever.

Zehnder’s decision drew this statement from Gregoire:

“It is bittersweet to hear of Cindy’s announcement to pursue other opportunities. Her gracious strength is something I admire and will greatly miss. In her tenure as chief of staff, she has supported me and led this team through two very difficult legislative sessions, multiple natural emergencies, and a deluge of every day matters that required constant diligence.

“Given these accomplishments and around the clock commitment, I understand now is the time for change. I wish Cindy extraordinary happiness in her next endeavor.”