First Lady Maria Shriver today announced she has selected Daniel Zingale as her chief of staff.

“Daniel brings tremendous knowledge and experience to my Administration. He is dedicated to public service and to working across party lines to do what is in the best interest of the people of California and will be a terrific chief of staff to Maria,” said Governor Schwarzenegger. “The coordination of my office and the Office of the First Lady is extremely important. I look forward to working with him as I take action to reform and rebuild for the future of our state.”

Zingale has nearly two decades of state government and policy experience. He recently serves as a member of the Agricultural Labor Relations Board. Prior to that, he was cabinet secretary in the Office of the Governor in 2003 where he was the liaison between the Governor and cabinet secretaries, state agencies, departments, boards and commissions. Zingale served as the founding director of the Department of Managed Health Care, a department designed to promote patient rights and a more stable and solvent managed health care industry, from 2000 to 2002. From 1999 to 1997, he was chief executive director of the AIDS Action Council and AIDS Action Foundation, a national patient advocacy organization. Prior to this, Zingale served for four years as political director and director of public policy for the Human Rights Campaign and as a member of the Executive Committee on Leadership Conference on Civil Rights. He was also managing director of government relations for the American Psychological Association from 1991 to 1993 and from 1987 to 1991, Zingale served as deputy controller and chief of staff in the Office of the State Controller.

“Daniel is a remarkable addition to my team as I continue to serve the people of California. He is a highly respected, capable and smart person committed to forging a bipartisan spirit of cooperation and accomplishment,” said First Lady Maria Shriver. “His understanding of state government and dedication to working together to get things done are an incredible asset to me and my staff as we work alongside Arnold to benefit every Californian.”

Zingale, 45, of Sacramento, earned a Master of Arts degree in Public Administration from the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University and a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of California, Berkeley. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $123,255. Zingale is a Democrat.

“I greatly appreciate Governor Schwarzenegger’s interest in hearing all points of view. I am excited to go to work where independents, Republicans and Democrats will put our heads together for the common good,” said Zingale. “Maria Shriver is an enormously positive force for our state. I am thrilled to be able to contribute in a meaningful way to her many worthwhile endeavors as First Lady and to work with both her and the Governor.”

Zingale will resign from the Agricultural Labor Relations Board and assume this position on November 1, 2005. Current Chief of Staff to First Lady Maria Shriver and Deputy Chief of Staff to the Governor Donna Lucas will continue to serve as senior advisor to the First Lady and deputy chief of staff to the Governor.