Pennsylvania Governor Corbett Names Leslie Gromis Baker New Chief of Staff

HARRISBURG, Pa., July 17, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Governor Tom Corbett today announced that Leslie Gromis Baker, of Pittsburgh, will become his new chief of staff.

Gromis Baker, 53, currently serves as Corbett's liaison with the federal government in Harrisburg and Washington D.C. Founder and president of the political consulting firm LG Strategies, Gromis Baker served as co-director of Corbett's gubernatorial transition team and was his senior advisor during the gubernatorial election.

"In her years of public service, both state and federal, as well as her time in the private sector, Leslie Gromis Baker has mastered the details of effective political management and leadership, skills she will bring to the demanding position of chief of staff,'' Corbett said.

"Her work for former Gov. Tom Ridge, as well as President George H.W. Bush, mark Leslie Gromis Baker as a woman of talent and integrity and we are excited to welcome her to this new role."

She will replace Stephen Aichele, who served as Corbett's chief counsel for nearly 17 months, followed by 14 months as chief of staff. He will assist Gromis Baker in the transition before returning to private practice.

"Steve has provided a spark and energy to the administration, and staff members will long remember his enthusiasm and optimism,'' Corbett said. "I'm grateful that Steve, who initially came on board as general counsel and, upon Bill Ward's departure for a judicial post, took on the new responsibilities of chief of staff and dove in with enthusiasm and ambition into his duties."

Gromis Baker also worked for Gov. Tom Ridge, serving as his director of public liaison, political director of his 1994 campaign and manager of his 1998 reelection campaign. She later ran his political action committee, the Ridge Leadership Fund.

In 2000, Gromis Baker directed the state presidential campaign of George W. Bush, and was mid-Atlantic chair of the president's 2004 reelection committee. She had been a White House political aide to his father, President George H.W. Bush.

Originally from Reading, Berks County, Gromis Baker is a graduate of the University of Maryland.

Prior to joining the administration, Aichele was chairman of the Philadelphia law firm of Saul Ewing LLP. His wife, Carol, is currently serving as secretary of the commonwealth.

For more information visit www.pa.gov

Media contact:  Kevin Harley, 717-783-1116

SOURCE Pennsylvania Office of the Governor