Lombardo announces Nevada gaming commissioner, former state senator as chief of staff

Ben Kieckhefer, a former state senator and Nevada Gaming Commissioner, will function chief of workers for Gov.-elect Joe Lombardo.

A Republican state senator first elected in 2010, Kieckhefer resigned shortly earlier than he termed out to sit on the Nevada Gaming Fee in October 2021. He’ll resign from the fee when Lombardo takes workplace in January.

Throughout his time in workplace, the place he additionally chaired the highly effective Senate Finance Committee in 2015, Kieckhefer backed faculty selection and advocated for regulatory reform, together with extra transparency round enterprise rules.

“I’m humbled by Governor-elect Lombardo’s belief in me, and I’m excited to have one other alternative to serve Nevada, a state I like so deeply,” Kieckhefer mentioned in a press launch. “Underneath Governor-elect Lombardo, I’m assured that this administration will ship revolutionary options and historic victories for our nice state.”

Kieckhefer additionally works as director of shopper relations for McDonald Carano, a Reno-based regulation agency distinguished within the Nevada political sphere.

Lombardo beforehand appointed Kieckhefer as a member of his transition staff, which additionally options a number of Republican state lawmakers and members of the state’s enterprise neighborhood.

“Ben has devoted his life and profession to the service of Nevadans, and there’s no yet one more certified or higher ready for this function,” Lombardo mentioned in an announcement. “I do know that Ben’s distinctive management, unmatched integrity, and intensive legislative expertise might be an necessary a part of our success in Carson Metropolis.”

Reporter Jacob Solis contributed to this story.

— This story was used with permission of The Nevada Unbiased. Go right here for updates to this and different tales.