Paul Heintz is on the road to Montpelier, but sent this update on key staffing changes being announced by Gov. Peter Shumlin today. Read Paul's earlier post about chief of staff Bill Lofy departing for a gig with the Democratic Governors Association, which Shumlin is expected to chair come January.

....

Shumlin announced several more staff transitions Tuesday afternoon at a press conference on the 5th floor of the Pavilion State Office Building:

• Department of Public Service Commissioner Elizabeth Miller (pictured) will take over for Lofy as Shumlin's chief of staff in January. Before joining Shumlin's cabinet two years ago, Miller worked in private practice at Burlington's Spink and Miller law firm.
• Longtime Shumlin aide Alex MacLean will leave the 5th Floor at a date to be determined. MacLean served as Shumlin's assistant when he was Senate president pro tem and managed both of his gubernatorial campaigns. In her official capacity, she serves as Secretary of Civil and Military Affairs, essentially working as the administration's liaison to the legislature.
• Miller will be replaced as DPS commissioner by Chris Recchia, who is currently serving as deputy secretary in the Agency of Natural Resources. Miller's deputy, Sarah Hofmann, recently announced that she too is leaving DPS.
• Department of Financial Regulation Commissioner Steve Kimbell will return to retirement. The former longtime lobbyist will be replaced by Susan Donegan, who has served as the department's deputy commissioner of insurance.
• Mental Health Commissioner Patrick Flood will also leave the administration. Previously, he served as deputy secretary in the Agency of Human Services. He will be replaced on an interim basis by Mary Moulton, who currently serves as deputy commissioner.

Read more about the shake-up tomorrow in this week's Fair Game.