After serving as Gov. Bobby Jindal’s commissioner of administration for the past three years, Kristy Nichols is leaving the public sector to become Ochsner Health System’s vice president of government and corporate affairs, the Jindal administration announced today.
Replacing Nichols, effective Oct. 15, is Stafford Palmieri, who has served as deputy chief of staff in the governor’s office since March and has been with the administration since October 2010. Natalie LaBorde, who most recently served as assistant chief of staff for Jindal and previously served as policy director, senior policy adviser and assistant executive counsel in the administration, will take over as deputy chief of staff.
Nichols has been with the Jindal administration since 2008, first serving as health care policy adviser, then deputy chief of staff before being promoted to commissioner of administration, which oversees the state’s budgetary matters.
“From day one, Kristy has been a key team player who has fully dedicated herself to bettering the state of Louisiana,” Jindal says in a prepared statement. “Together, we’ve been able to reduce the size of government, improve health care across the state and create a better, stronger Louisiana. I am proud of the work she has accomplished during her time with us, and I wish her all the best in this next venture.”
As for Nichols’ replacement, Jindal says, “Stafford has been a crucial member of our administration and has always tackled any challenge head-on. I know she will be an excellent leader at the division and continue to work hard to serve the people who call Louisiana home.” David Gaines, senior vice president of public affairs and CEO of system retail services at Ochsner Health System, says Nichols’ “significant skill and proven ability to inform and manage complex processes will be an asset as we expand from both a geographic and strategic perspective.”
As she leaves the Jindal administration, Nichols says, “I am proud of the work that we have accomplished in making Louisiana a better place to live and raise a family, and I am confident that we will continue down this path going forward.”
