Nevada Gov. Joe Lombardo replaces Chief of Staff Ben Kieckhefer with Ryan Cherry

Ben Kieckhefer is out as Nevada Gov. Joe Lombardo’s chief of staff, and Ryan Cherry is in.

Lombardo announced the news Wednesday in an email to the media.

Kieckhefer had resigned his position on the Nevada Gaming Commission to take the role in the governor’s administration about a year ago when Lombardo beat incumbent Gov. Steve Sisolak in the 2022 election. Kieckhefer was also a state legislator.

The RGJ reached out via text to Kieckhefer for comment. He replied, “Don’t really have anything to add.”

Ryan Cherry was chief of staff to Lt. Gov. Mark Hutchison and rural director for U.S. Sen. Dean Heller. He spent the past six years as a consultant, working in Nevada and other Western states on natural resources, mining and energy issues, the news release said.

“I’m incredibly thankful for all the work Ben put in to making this first year a success,” Lombardo said in a statement.

“Ben accomplished everything I asked of him as I transitioned into the office of Governor, and his leadership during the 2023 Legislative Session was critical in our many successes. My office and state government are in great shape heading into the next phase of the administration, and I’m grateful for all of Ben’s efforts to make that happen.”

Kieckhefer helped navigate the gubernatorial transition from Sisolak’s administration, as well as office buildout, the 2023 Legislative Session and administration agenda development, the news release said.

Cherry’s first day in the office will be Jan. 17, and he is expected to work alongside Kieckhefer for a brief time to ensure a smooth transition.

Mark Robison is the state politics reporter for the Reno Gazette Journal, with occasional forays into other topics. Email comments to mrobison@rgj.com or comment on Mark’s Greater Reno Facebook page.