Culver annouces two top staff picks

DES MOINES - Gov. Chet Culver made two major staff announcements Thursday - one in the governor's office and one on his re-election campaign.

John Frew will serve as Culver's chief of staff beginning in September. Veteran Democratic campaign strategist Teresa Vilmain will serve as an adviser on Culver's re-election campaign.

Frew worked for Culver's father, U.S. Sen. John Culver, and managed U.S. Sen. Tom Harkin's 1984 campaign.

Frew, who was raised in Des Moines, has practiced law in Denver and worked on several sports venues and events.

Frew will be relocating to Des Moines for the position.

"John not only brings a great combination of experience in both the public and private sector to this position, but a career that has been committed to improving the quality of life everyplace he goes," Culver said in a statement.

Jim Larew is serving as Culver's acting chief of staff after former chief of staff Charles Krogmeier was tapped to lead the Iowa Department of Human Services.

Culver made the announcement that Vilmain would work on his campaign as Republicans are lining up to challenge him in his re-election bid next year.

"As we start to look ahead to 2010, Teresa will play a leading role in helping us prepare our effort to reach out to Iowans about the important issues we are working on in our state," Culver said in a statement.

Vilmain, a Cedar Falls native, began her political work on John Culver's senate campaign.

She also has played a role in Iowa's presidential caucuses - serving as Iowa director on Michael Dukakis' caucus campaign. More recently, she served as Iowa state director on Hillary Clinton's caucus campaign.

Vilmain also has worked on campaigns around the country and as a consultant for the Democratic National Committee and the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee.