March 28, 2024
Annapolis, US 48 F

Annapolis Mayor Buckley Names New Chief of Staff

Cate Pettit, Chief of Staff for Annapolis Mayor, Gavin Buckley

The Office of Mayor Gavin Buckley will have a new Chief of Staff on April 18. Mayor Buckley recently named Cate Pettit to replace outgoing Chief of Staff Susy Smith. Smith is retiring after serving four years with the City of Annapolis government.

Pettit is a senior communication and business strategist with extensive experience in government, community and politics. She first met Buckley in 2017 in Annapolis where she volunteered on his first campaign for Mayor. She has continued as a volunteer advisor to Buckley.

Pettit hails from Canberra, Australia. She and her husband Michael Smith lived in downtown Annapolis from 2016 to 2019 and built strong local relationships and became deeply involved in the community.

“In the six years that I have known Cate, she has become a trusted advisor,” Buckley said. “Cate’s professional experience and strategic judgment have come to be something I know I can rely on. She will be a tremendous asset to the City of Annapolis and I am lucky that she has accepted the role to work in Annapolis City government as my chief of staff”

Pettit and her husband returned to Australia in 2019 with the goal of coming back to Annapolis after wrapping up their affairs “down under.” The pandemic had a hand in delaying their return. Pettit has obtained an E3 visa.

“Susy and I know each other well. We will be working closely together to ensure a smooth transition and I am deeply grateful for her support,” Pettit said. “I love Annapolis and its residents and I look forward to work that will be both challenging and rewarding.”

“It has been a pleasure and an honor to work for Mayor Buckley and the residents of the City of Annapolis,” Smith said. “I wish Cate the very best and know she will be a tremendous leader for our team.”

Pettit’s official start date is April 18. She will earn a salary of $106,000.

Previous Article

Crime and Inflation More Concerning to County Residents than COVID (Survey)

Next Article

April 12, 2022 | Daily News Brief | Road Rage. New Chief of Staff. Community Survey. Tickets to The Four Tops!

You might be interested in …