Mayor Coleman Names Dana Bailey Chief of Staff

Mayor Coleman Names Dana Bailey Chief of Staff

SAINT PAUL – Mayor Chris Coleman today announced that he has appointed Dana Bailey as his new chief of staff. Bailey, currently senior advisor to Governor Mark Dayton and Lieutenant Governor Tina Smith, brings more than 15 years of public affairs and management experience to the job and will assume her duties as chief of staff on February 23, 2015.

“Dana’s extensive experience working in a leadership capacity with the Governor’s Office on some of the state’s most complex issues, paired with her dedication and passion to her hometown of Saint Paul make her a fantastic fit for chief of staff,” said Mayor Coleman. “Her ability to build and maintain strong relationships – not to mention growing up on the East Side – will serve us well in City Hall.”

With more than 15 years working for Mark Dayton both as a U.S. Senator and Governor of Minnesota, Bailey brings a wide-ranging career in public service to the Mayor's Office, including significant management experience as a senior executive for Governor Mark Dayton and as the Governor’s campaign manager in 2010. She has expertise in creating and implementing budgets, negotiating agreements and strong strategy and crisis management skills.

“Over the last decade, Mayor Coleman has led Saint Paul through a global recession and brought it into a competitive position – working closely with our local, state and regional partners,” said Bailey. “As a life-long resident of Saint Paul, I am extremely excited to serve my fellow residents and be part of the team that keeps this city moving forward.”

As campaign manager for Mark Dayton, Bailey executed the first winning DFL campaign for Governor in 25 years, electing Governor Mark Dayton into office in 2010. Bailey has led crucial projects for the state, planned and executed multiple multi-billion dollar budgets and overseen a number of departments during her tenure in the Governor’s Office. Bailey grew up on Saint Paul’s East Side and received her Bachelor’s Degree in English Literature and Mass Communications at Minnesota State University, Mankato. She currently lives in Saint Paul with her husband and son.

Bailey succeeds Erin Dady, who left January 5, 2015 to serve as special assistant to University of Minnesota President Eric Kaler, as head of the Office of Government and Community Relations.

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