Governor-Elect Perdue Selects Eric Tanenblatt as Chief of Staff

Bush, Coverdell Advisor tapped for key post

Atlanta - Governor-Elect Sonny Perdue has selected Eric J. Tanenblatt to serve as chief of staff in the Governor's office upon his swearing-in as the first Republican Governor since Reconstruction.

"Eric's background as a leader in both the public and private sector, as well as his role as a key advisor to President Bush and the late Senator Paul Coverdell, makes him an exceptionally qualified choice to serve as chief of staff," said Perdue. "His well-rounded experience will be vital as we work to create a New Georgia, where people come before politics."

Tanenblatt, currently the Managing Director at the law firm of McKenna Long & Aldridge, has spent over 15 years in the government and public policy arena. He served as State Chairman for President George W Bush's successful Georgia effort in 2000 and was a longtime advisor to the late Senator Paul Coverdell, serving as his State Director. From 1989 to 1991, Eric served in the Administration of President George Bush at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Peace Corps, focusing on Congressional and Intergovernmental Affairs.

An active member of the community, Tanenblatt serves as Vice-Chairman of the Georgia Chamber of Commerce, Chairman of the Georgia Republican Foundation and serves on the boards of Trees Atlanta, Hands on Atlanta, and the Emory University Board of Governors. He is a graduate of Leadership Georgia and received a B.A. in Economics from Emory University.

"It is a tremendous honor to be a part of our newly elected Governor's team," said Tanenblatt. "The Governor-Elect is committed to changing the culture and tone of state government and it is an incredible opportunity to be a part of this process."