2 senior aides leave Hutchinson’s office

Ritchie takes Medicare post

Andrew “Vu” Ritchie, a senior policy adviser to Gov. Asa Hutchinson, is departing the governor’s office to be senior counselor at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services in Washington, D.C., Hutchinson spokesman J.R. Davis said Thursday.

Kelly Eichler, a senior adviser on criminal justice to the Republican governor, also is leaving the office, Davis said.

Today is the last day in the governor’s office for both aides, Davis said.

“Vu has been presented with a great opportunity in D.C. He has been an integral part of my staff in our efficiency efforts and has done a tremendous job reviewing rules and regulations from our agencies,” Hutchinson said in a written statement.

Ritchie is the governor’s senior policy adviser on agriculture, energy, environment and transportation and is also the regulatory attorney, Davis said. His salary in the governor’s office is $72,094 a year, according to the Arkansas Transparency website.

Asked for details about Ritchie’s hiring, a spokesman for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services said Thursday that the agency doesn’t comment about personnel matters.

Regarding Eichler, Hutchinson said: “Kelly has been instrumental and a key part of our criminal justice reform efforts over the last two years. She has indicated she wants to devote more time to her University of Arkansas [System] trustee responsibility.” Eichler has served on the UA board of trustees since March 1, 2016. She is an attorney who also served in the administration of then-Gov. Mike Huckabee, working as a criminal justice adviser and later as his chief legal counsel.

Eichler’s salary in the governor’s office is $95,338 a year, according to the Arkansas Transparency website.

“I wish them both the best of luck, and they will be missed,” the governor added.