Governor's Chief of Staff to Leave Post by Year's End

Gov. Dannel Malloy's chief of staff has announced he will leave the administration by the end of the year.

Appointed in 2011, Mark Ojakian is the Democratic governor's second top adviser. He previously served as deputy secretary of the Office of Policy and Management, where he negotiated a labor concessions deal with unionized state employees.

Ojakian also served as deputy state comptroller for 16 years, overseeing 250 employees and acting as senior policy adviser to then-Comptroller Nancy Wyman, who's now lieutenant governor.

Malloy said Monday he'll miss working with Ojakian on a daily basis, but understands "it is time for him to turn the page to a different chapter of his life." No replacement was named.

Ojakian said it's been "an honor and privilege" to serve Connecticut residents.