San Diego Councilman Kevin Faulconer recently hired Stephen Puetz, the point man on former Councilman Carl DeMaio’s mayoral campaign, as his new chief of staff.
Puetz worked on Faulconer’s 2006 campaign and in his City Council office in 2009.
Faulconer’s current chief of staff, Katie Hansen, decided to return to work in the private sector, according to a statement released by his office on Thursday.
“She’s had a distinguished career in the public sector and she’s returning to her very successful role in the private sector in governmental affairs,” said Communications Director Matt Awbrey, who is being promoted to Deputy Chief of Staff.
Hansen could not be reached for comment.
Last week, outgoing City Council President Tony Young, a Democrat, threw his support behind Councilman Todd Gloria, also a Democrat, ahead of Republican Faulconer to replace him in the top spot on the panel.
Young is leaving to become the CEO of the American Red Cross San Diego and Imperial Counties Chapter. A special election to fill his seat will be held at the beginning of next year.
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Faulconer will remain the president pro-tem, the number two position on the council.
“I look forward to continuing to lead the effort to make San Diego a model for fiscal responsibility, transparency and government accountability,” he said in an emailed statement. “We’ll continue to have a strong team moving forward to carry on with my mission of guarding taxpayer dollars, protecting beaches and bays, and collaboratively solving problems and delivering results for all San Diegans.”
Puetz is currently the vice-president of Revolvis Consulting, a political firm, according to his LinkedIn account and Twitter profile.
"It's an honor to serve as Council President Pro-Tem Kevin Faulconer's chief-of-staff," Puetz said. "He has been a leader in the reform movement in San Diego and I look forward to helping him continue to move the ball forward on fiscal reform in San Diego."
