Three top members of Connecticut Gov. Dannel P. Malloy's staff are leaving the administration.
Brian Durand, the Democratic governor's chief of staff, announced on Wednesday that Deputy Chief of Staff Mark Bergman, Communications Director Devon Puglia and Senior Director of Policy and Government Affairs Paul Mounds "will each be leaving our office to pursue new professional opportunities."
The planned changes to Malloy's senior staff are expected to take place early in the fall.
Malloy praised all three as "outstanding key members of our team," and wished them well in their new endeavors.
“Mark, Paul, and Devon have all been outstanding key members of our team. During a difficult economic period, they’ve helped my administration achieve major goals, including hundreds of millions of dollars in budget savings, improvements to our transportation and energy infrastructures, bringing crime to its lowest levels in decades, and so much more. They’ve worked long hours and served the people of Connecticut well. I wish each of them the best in their next endeavors,” Malloy said in a statement.
Puglia said he was making the move for personal reasons.
“I think everybody has their own reason. My future wife and I want to start a family. These are 24-hour a day jobs where every day you wake up and you’re trying to make a difference for the people of Connecticut,” Puglia said.
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“The best thing for myself and others and for the office is to move forward,” he added. “Everyone wants to start a new chapter in their personal lives. That’s what I’m doing. I’m looking forward to starting a new family.”
He didn’t say what his professional plans are moving forward, but he did reflect fondly on his time with Malloy's team.
“To be on Team Malloy is to be hard working, it’s to be loyal, and to do the right thing, no matter the political consequence. I think I and other staff here couldn’t be more proud to work for a guy of such extraordinary caliber.”
Replacements are being named for Mounds and Puglia.
Chris Smith, who is currently Mounds’ deputy, will succeed him.
Kelly Donnelly, who currently serves as chief of staff to Commissioner Dianna Wentzell at the State Department of Education, will succeed Puglia.
However, Durand said there's no immediate plan to replace him as the deputy chief of staff.
Malloy is currently midway through his second four-year term in office.
