FRANKFORT – Kentucky House Speaker Greg Stumbo announced two key changes to his office Monday, with one current member becoming acting chief of staff and another hired as a senior policy advisor. Both began their new duties today.

Stewart Willis, who joined the Speaker’s office in 2011 to work on such crucial issues as the Transportation Cabinet’s operating budget, the state highway road plan and redistricting, is now the acting chief of staff, replacing Charlotte Ellis Land, who is retiring this month. Matt Erwin, who served as communications director for the Kentucky Democratic Party from 2010 through this year’s elections, is now the senior policy advisor for House chairmen. Prior to coming to Kentucky, he worked in the Illinois House Speaker’s office.

“While I will certainly miss Charlotte, who began working for me when I became House Majority Floor Leader in 1985, I have full faith in Stewart’s ability to run this office smoothly as we ready for the 2013 Regular Session,” Stumbo said. “I’ve gotten to know Matt as well over the last couple of years, and have no doubt that he will also fit in perfectly as the office’s newest addition. He already knows many of the members, and his work in the Illinois House means he has a deep understanding of the legislative process.”