November 19, 2003
Atlanta Business Chronicle

Perdue names new chief of staff

Gov. Sonny Perdue has tapped veteran political operative and legislative
and public affairs expert John Watson as his new chief of staff.

He will replace Eric Tanenblatt on Jan. 1, 2004.

Watson has been active in politics, government, and business at the
local, state and federal levels for more than 14 years. He served as
general consultant to Perdue's campaign for governor and as vice
chairman of Perdue's transition. He then helped form public affairs firm
Watson, Massey & Bowers LLC, where he serves as president and
managing principal. The company's partners include former Georgia
Attorney General Michael J. Bowers, Bruce E. Bowers and former Georgia
Secretary of State Lewis A. Massey.

"I am deeply grateful to Eric Tanenblatt for laying the foundation for my
administration, building a top notch team, and giving so selflessly over
the past year," Perdue said. "Eric was gracious enough to extend his tour
of duty an extra six months and I appreciate his sacrifice of precious time
away from his wife, Mary, and their two young boys. He will continue to be
a trusted advisor to me and my team."

A native Virginian and a 1991 graduate of Wake Forest, Watson began
his political career as staff assistant to the Fairfax County, Virginia, Board
of Supervisors. In 1993, Watson moved to Atlanta to serve as former
Congressman Bob Barr's finance director in his first election to Georgia's
Seventh Congressional District. Following Barr's 1994 election, Watson
was appointed district representative, where he managed four district
offices in the greater metropolitan Atlanta area.

In 1995, Watson became finance director for the Georgia Republican
Party. In 1997, Watson joined Mike Bowers, Georgia's attorney general for
16 years, as campaign manager for Bowers' campaign for governor.

BACK