Las Vegas Sun

March 29, 2024

Nevada governor names new chief of staff

CARSON CITY — Gerald Gardner, chief of staff for Gov. Brian Sandoval, has resigned to join the company planning to build the $4 billion Resorts World Las Vegas hotel-casino on the Las Vegas Strip.

Sandoval said Gardner will be replaced by Mike Willden, director of the state Department of Health and Human Services.

Willden has been in state government for 40 years. In his present position, he has oversight of such areas as the Rawson-Neal Psychiatric Hospital in Las Vegas and the state’s growing Medicaid program.

Gardner has been chief of staff since September 2012 and previously worked in the Clark County’s District Attorney’s Office, the state Attorney General’s Office and the Carson City’s District Attorney’s Office.

Romaine Gilliland, former chief of the state Division of Welfare and Supportive Services, will succeed Willden at the Department of Health and Human Services.

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