Doerkson names veteran strategist Dimitri Pantazopoulos as B.C. premier's chief of staff
The premier-elect's pick previously worked in Christy Clark's office and on campaigns for Stephen Harper and Doug Ford. He takes the job when the cabinet is sworn in.
Reported by Daily Hive Vancouver; confirmation from the premier-elect's office pending.
Illustrative photoA strategist who has worked on campaigns for Stephen Harper, Doug Ford and Jason Kenney will run the next B.C. premier's office. Premier-elect Lorne Doerkson has chosen Dimitri Pantazopoulos as his chief of staff, Daily Hive Vancouver reported, with the appointment taking effect when Doerkson and his cabinet are sworn in.
The announcement came at the party's first caucus meeting since the election. It describes Pantazopoulos as having more than 20 years of political strategy and government experience, including a stint as principal secretary in Premier Christy Clark's first BC Liberals administration. He has also worked on campaigns for Andrew Wilkinson, and in the private sector as president of Yorkville Strategies and partner at Maple Leaf Strategies.
Doerkson said in a statement that the government will be ready on day one, starting with the people around him. More Premier's Office appointments are expected over the coming weeks.
MLAs will be sworn in Thursday, Nov. 19, with the cabinet announced the next day. Election BC's preliminary results give the Conservatives a majority with 63 seats, compared with 28 for the BC NDP and two for the Greens. Ballots not counted on election night, including mail-in ballots, will be added in the final count, set for Nov. 6 to 10.
The BC NDP named Jennifer Whitside, MLA for New Westminster-Coquitlam, as interim leader on Oct. 29.
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