A big leadership change in the state’s executive branch will take effect later this month in Lt. Governor Will Ainsworth’s appointment of Catherine Gayle Fuller as Chief of Staff today.
Ainsworth announced on Thursday morning that Fuller, a multi-year vet of the office, will step into the role formerly held by Jess Skaggs, who is transitioning into the Chief of Staff role for Alabama Senate President Pro Tempore Garlan Gudger (R-Cullman).
“Catherine Gayle has amassed significant experience during her time in the Governor’s Office and my office, and she is uniquely qualified to step into the role of chief of staff,” Ainsworth said.
“A true conservative who is led by her faith, Catherine Gayle is one of the smartest policy minds I know, and her ability to shape policy conversations will help us carry out our agenda as we continue working to make an already great state even better.”
Prior to being selected for the role, Fuller served as Deputy Chief of Staff, which included oversight of policy initiatives and working as the principal spokesperson for Lt. Governor Ainsworth.
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Fuller previously worked as director of appointments for Gov. Kay Ivey and was responsible for vetting Alabamians who were placed on important boards, commissions, and oversight panels throughout state government.
She also served as senior policy advisor at the Alabama Department of Revenue under Commissioner Vernon Barnett.
Fuller earned undergraduate and masters degrees in political science from Samford University and the University of Alabama, and she is currently working toward her doctorate degree.
A native of Montgomery, she and her husband, Will, have one daughter, Louise.
Grayson Everett is the editor and chief of Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on X @Grayson270
