Senator Mike Lee announced that current Utah State Representative Derek Brown has accepted the position of Deputy Chief of Staff and State Director for the senator’s office.
Rep. Brown will resign his seat in the Utah Legislature effective January 2, 2014 and will assume his new role on January 3rd. Senator Lee’s Chief of Staff Boyd Matheson had been filling the State Director duties for the past year.
Senator Lee commented, “I am thrilled to have Derek Brown on board. I have known him since I helped recruit him to Sidley & Austin 11 years ago and look forward to what he will contribute to our staff, our constituents and leaders within the State of Utah. Derek is a great talent and understands the legislative process as well as critical functions of a senate office.”
In addition to his stellar legal career, Derek Brown served as legal counsel to U.S. Senator Orrin Hatch and former U.S. Senator Robert Bennett.
“Derek’s appointment is another important step in the strategy we began last year to move Senator Lee’s positive reform agenda forward,” said Senator Lee’s chief of staff Boyd Matheson. “Derek will be an integral part of our senior staff in executing our strategy and connecting it to the people of Utah.”
“While it was a difficult decision to step down from the state legislature, joining Senator Lee and his team at this time with this agenda is an amazing opportunity,” said Brown. “The Senator has established himself as a national thought leader and important player in the Republican Party. I am excited to work with community, government and business leaders around the state to help them engage with the senator on this important agenda for Utah and the country. It is a critical time in our history and Senator Lee has put forward positive solutions I believe are certain to be part of solving many of the challenges we face as a nation. ”
Senator Lee concluded by saying, “I have extraordinary staff in Washington and Utah who are all committed to serving the people of Utah. I have appreciated Boyd pulling double-duty for the past year and value his vision, wisdom and insight. With Derek joining the team we are well positioned for the next phase of our efforts.”
