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Washington • Rep. Jason Chaffetz has named a new chief of staff, Fred Ferguson, who had originally started in the Republican congressman's office before jumping to serve as Rep. Rob Bishop's legislative director.
Ferguson, 28, replaces Justin Harding, who is leaving Chaffetz's office to take over as Gov. Gary Herbert's top aide.
"Fred's exemplary performance in Representative Bishop's office over the last two years has made him a leader in public-lands policy and helped him develop valuable relationships across Utah," Chaffetz said in a statement. "Fred will have big shoes to fill as he replaces Justin Harding, but I have every confidence in his ability to magnify this new responsibility and be an integral part of the Chaffetz team."
Ferguson, who played baseball at the University of Utah, will now work for a pro-Brigham Young University congressman who was a placekicker for the Cougars.
"It's my new balanced approach," Chaffetz joked. "It shows how diversified I am."
Ferguson has bounced between Bishop and Chaffetz's offices since 2008, starting initially as a college intern for Bishop and then working as a staff assistant during Chaffetz's first two terms.
Ferguson has served as Bishop's legislative director since June 2012.