2 former Ohio residents getting new positions in White House

WEST CHESTER, Ohio (AP) — A former Ohioan who served as deputy to chief White House political strategist Karl Rove will take on new responsibilities because of Rove’s resignation from the Bush administration.

Barry Jackson, a former Cincinnati-area resident, will manage several White House offices, including political affairs, public liaison and intergovernmental affairs, the president said Tuesday.

Although Jackson, 46, is assuming many of Rove’s responsibilities, his role will be different, White House spokesman Alex Conant said.

Rove, a longtime friend of the president, had additional clout as deputy chief of staff and senior adviser. The role of chief political strategist likely will go to Ed Gillespie, Bush’s counselor and a former chairman of the Republican Party, Conant said.

Jackson is a native of Washington, D.C., but his family lived in West Chester Township just north of Cincinnati for 20 years. He joined the president’s advisory staff in 2002 after spending 10 years as chief of staff for House Minority Leader John Boehner of Ohio. He was executive director of the House Republican Conference during Boehner’s tenure as Conference Chairman from 1995-1998.

Bush also named another Ohioan, Joie Gregor, to serve as director of personnel. Gregor will oversee recruitment for senior-level positions within the administration, Conant said.

Gregor, a Loudonville native, is vice chairman of global executive search firm Heidrick & Struggles. She received a master’s degree from Case Western Reserve University, where she serves on the board of trustees.

Loudonville is about 80 miles northeast of Columbus.