(Des Moines, IA) Jeff Boeyink, Chief of Staff for Gov. Terry Branstad, today announced he is stepping down from his position. Boeyink, who served as the governor’s campaign manager in 2009/10, as co-chair of the transition team following the successful November 2010 election, and as Gov. Branstad’s chief of staff since the January 2011 inaugural, will leave the position on Friday, September 6.
“Working for Terry Branstad has been the honor of my life and the decision to leave this office is the most difficult I have ever made,” said Boeyink. “I am exceptionally proud of the team we have assembled to serve the governor and lt. governor and believe the unprecedented results we secured in the last three years, and in particular in the most recent legislative session, are a testament to our collective vision and hard work.”
“I am looking forward to taking my first vacation since 2008 before I begin a new career in the private sector,” Boeyink continued. “In addition, I will now have the opportunity to provide more time and effort in helping build the governor’s campaign effort as we look forward to a potential reelection run in 2014. My commitment to Governor Branstad and Lt. Governor Reynolds is as strong as ever and I want to help ensure they are leading our state for many years to come.”
“Jeff Boeyink has been a valued part of our team since joining me on the campaign in 2009 and his leadership in this office and the entire executive branch will be greatly missed,” said Branstad. “His ability to identify talent, and to train and mentor those with whom he works, has been instrumental in helping us achieve the biggest property tax cut in state history, landmark education reform, and a new modern outcomes-based health care system that will be a model for the nation.”
“Jeff was a strong and steady force who gave tireless energy to support the efforts of Governor Branstad and me as we work to make good on our goals to create jobs, increase family incomes, reduce the size and cost of government, and restore Iowa’s place as an educational leader,” said Reynolds. “He embedded those goals through every layer of the executive branch in his daily work and that commitment has made a difference.”