Dayton announces changes to inner circle
Gov. Mark Dayton announced several key staff changes Monday ahead of his final year in office.
Dayton named Joanna Dornfeld as his new chief of staff. She will replace Jamie Tincher, who is leaving the administration to become deputy mayor of St. Paul under Mayor-elect Melvin Carter.
Dornfeld has been Dayton’s deputy chief of staff for legislative affairs since 2014. She previously held posts with the Minnesota Department of Revenue, Minnesota High Tech Association and Minnesota House.
In a news release announcing the move, Dayton said Dornfeld is well suited for the job of chief of staff.
“She is brilliant, dedicated, and incredibly hard-working. Joanna has earned the trust and respect of our Cabinet and staff, legislators, and community leaders across Minnesota,” Dayton said. “I have complete confidence in her.”
Dayton is also losing his deputy chief of staff for communications. Linden Zakula is taking a job with a New York public relations firm. The governor named his assistant chief of staff for communications, Matt Swenson, as Zakula’s replacement.
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