Hickenlooper names his new chief of staff & communications director

Colorado Gov.-elect John Hickenlooper made his first hires Thursday, announcing that two of his key aides as mayor of Denver will handle the same duties in the governor's office next year.

Roxane White will be Hickenlooper's chief of staff and Eric Brown will be his communications director.

"I said from the beginning that our success will be a reflection on our ability to attract talent,” Hickenlooper said in a statement. "Roxane and Eric are two of the most talented people I know, and I am delighted they are coming to work at the state."

White, a former city department head and longtime leader of nonprofits, became Hickenlooper's mayoral chief of staff in September 2009.

Brown, a veteran newspaperman, has been Mayor Hickenlooper's director of communications since April 2009 after working for nine years at the now-folded Rocky Mountain News, most recently as city editor.

He previously worked at the Greeley Tribune, the Corpus Christi (Texas) Caller-Times and Abilene (Texas) Reporter-News.    – More -