Former Iowa State President Leath lures away Chief of Staff Lackey

When former Iowa State University President Steven Leath started work in Ames in 2012, he brought with him longtime aid Miles Lackey to serve as chief of staff. Five years later, history repeats.

Leath, who left ISU in May to become president of Auburn University, has lured Lackey from ISU to join him at Auburn. Lackey starts there Jan. 2 as chief of staff.

Before ISU, the two worked together in the University of North Carolina system. At ISU, Lackey added chief financial officer to his job duties in 2016.

In a statement, Interim ISU President Ben Allen said Lackey has been 'instrumental over the past five years in advancing Iowa State's strategic priorities to provide a high-quality, affordable education for our students; expand the university's research and economic development enterprises; and secure federal, state, and private support while operating as efficiently as possible.”

ISU will begin a search for a chief of staff after it hires a new president. The search to replace Leath is in its final stages, with four finalists visiting Ames this week.