Mack tabs new Chief of Staff

U.S. Rep. Connie Mack, R-Fort Myers, is managing a changing of the guard atop his office's staff.

Francis Gibbs, Mack's chief of staff since June 2009, will step down, and Mack has named Hans Klingler as his replacement.

Klingler's last job was with the office of U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchinson, R-Texas, as senior staffer during her bid for Texas' governorship. He also served previously as director of communications and political operations for the Republican Party of Texas.

Of Gibbs' departure, Mack said: “Not only am I losing a terrific staffer and tireless advocate for Southwest Florida, but the entire Congress will be losing a great public servant whose strong principled ideas on freedom and free markets are unmatched.”

Gibbs leaves Mack's office to pursue opportunities in the private sector, a release said.