Former House Speaker Now Gov. Bentley’s Chief of Staff

Gov. Robert Bentley’s chief of staff, David Perry, is leaving and is being replaced on an interim basis by former House Speaker Seth Hammett.

Bentley said Perry announced during a staff meeting Wednesday that he is leaving. His new job is with Protective Life insurance company in Birmingham. Perry began as Bentley’s state finance director in 2011 and then moved up to chief of staff.

Hammett spent 12 years as speaker of the House before retiring in 2010. He served as interim director of the state’s industry recruiting agency for six months at the start of Bentley’s term in 2011 and then returned to his hometown of Andalusia. Bentley said he and Hammett worked together when both were in the Legislature, and that he’s a proven leader.

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