In his most important staffing decision to date, Gov.-Elect Ned Lamont has hired a senior manager at the world’s largest hedge fund to serve as his chief of staff.
Lamont’s transition team announced the appointment of the chief of staff, Ryan Drajewicz, Tuesday afternoon.
A release noted that Drajewicz served as “part of the Core Management Team” of Bridgewater Associates, which was founded by billionaire Raymond Dalio. In a controversial move, the state Bond Commission approved giving the firm $22 million in 2016 to expand in Fairfield County, part of $52 million in overall state assistance, the impact of which became the subject of debate. Previous state dealings with the company also sparked controversy.
Drajewicz had taken a leave of absence from Westport-based Bridgewater to serve as Lamont’s transition team chief.
Lamont Tuesday also named Melissa McCaw, a former Hartford city chief financial officer and analyst with the state Office of Policy and Management, as his budget director.