Gov. Gibbons' chief of staff resigns

Josh Hicks has resigned as chief of staff to Gov. Jim Gibbons.

Hicks said his last day in the office will be Friday, June 26.

"It's time to spend more time with my family," he said Tuesday. "I have a 14-month-old daughter."

He said he has no regrets about his two and a half years with the governor's office despite the tension and workload of dealing with the budget crisis.

"It was a great opportunity and a great honor to be asked to serve the governor," he said. "I would do it all again."

Hicks, 36, joined the governor's office as general counsel in January 2007. Before that, he was a senior deputy attorney general with the Nevada attorney general's office. He represented agencies including the secretary of state, Nevada tax commission and Department of Taxation.

He was promoted to chief of staff in July 2008 and guided the governor's office and cabinet through the state's budget crisis and the 2009 Legislature.

There were reports more than a month ago that Hicks wanted out of the position, but that he agreed to stay on until the end of the legislative session.

Deputy Chief of staff Mendy Elliott will take over the duties as acting chief of staff until Gibbons makes a permanent appointment.

Hicks said he plans to take some time off this summer, "then find a new job."