Gov. Mike Pence increases number of his deputy chiefs of staff

Gov. Mike Pence is beefing up his cadre of top senior advisers, with four deputy chiefs of staff rather than one. The deputy chiefs of staff, earning a total of $475,000, include two staff members new to his office — but not his administration — and two staff members with expanded duties. They all start their new jobs on Monday.

The top position, chief of staff, was shuffled in May, when Bill Smith left to start a political consulting firm (with Pence as a client). He was replaced by Jim Atterholt, former chairman of the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission. Deputy chief of staff Marilee Springer left earlier this month to return to the law firm of Ice Miller LLP.

A new face in the governor's office will be Danielle McGrath, who will earn $110,000 annually as deputy chief of staff for legislative affairs. She will help coordinate and pass the governor's legislative agenda, work with agency legislative liaisons and manage the appointments on boards and commissions. McGrath, of McCordsville, now is executive director of external affairs for the IURC, where she is the chief liaison for legislative issues. Former state representative Jeff Espich remains on staff, primarily during legislative sessions, as Pence's legislative director.

John Hill, of Greenwood, will be the deputy chief of staff of public safety, a new post. He'll make $135,000 annually overseeing all of the state's public safety agencies. Now he is executive director of the Department of Homeland Security, which will continue to pay his salary. He has 35 years of public service at the federal and state levels, including 29 years with the Indiana State Police.

Sean Keefer, who has been Pence's legislative director since last year, will now serve as deputy chief of staff of executive branch agencies. His salary will be $120,000. He'll oversee most state agencies and manage operational issues, personnel hiring and contracting across all agencies.

Ryan Streeter, a senior policy director, also will have an expanded role as deputy chief of staff of policy and strategy. He'll continue to develop major policy initiatives for Pence, but also will be responsible for creating strategies to carry out those policies. His salary will continue to be $110,000.