Scott taps spokeswoman as sixth chief of staff
Jackie Schutz Zeckman has worked for Scott since 2011.
Florida Gov. Rick Scott has tapped longtime spokeswoman Jackie Schutz Zeckman — who has held official and campaign jobs for Scott since 2011 — to be his chief of staff beginning July 1.
Zeckman’s dual experience could be significant as Scott, who faces term limits next year, is widely expected to launch a 2018 campaign for the seat of Democratic Sen. Bill Nelson.
Zeckman began working in the governor’s office in 2011 as deputy press secretary and then press secretary. She then worked on Scott’s 2014 re-election campaign before returning to the governor’s office in December 2014 as communications director. She will be Scott’s sixth chief of staff in seven years.
“Jackie has been on my team since my first year in office and has done a great job leading my communi- cations efforts and conveying my vision of Florida as the best destination for families and businesses,” Scott said in a statement Tuesday.
“Along with her work on my communications team, Jackie was an integral part o f my r e e l e c t i o n e f f o r t s and has continued to be a trusted advisor in all aspects of implementing our agenda for Florida. I have full confidence that she will do an outstanding job as my Chief of Staff,” Scott said.
Z e c k ma n , 3 1 , wo r k e d for the Tallahassee public relations firm CoreMessage before joining the governor’s office.
S h e w i l l r e p l a c e K i m McDougal, who according to the governor’s office, will be “pursuing opportunities in the private sector.”
M c D o u g a l w a s p a i d $170,000 a ye ar as chief of staff, while Zeckman’s annual pay as communications director was $135,000, according to the News Service of Florida.