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Bush appoints interim DCF chief to replace Regier

Associated Press
Published September 9, 2004

TALLAHASSEE - Lucy Hadi, a veteran of state government working in Gov. Jeb Bush's Office of Policy and Budget, was named Wednesday as interim head of the Department of Children and Families.

She will take over for Jerry Regier on Sept. 15, Bush announced.

Regier said earlier this month he planned to resign. He and the child welfare agency have been hounded by questions about how Regier dealt with contracting child welfare work out to private companies.

Hadi, 58, will lead the department until a permanent replacement is named.

She has worked at DCF in the past, as deputy secretary.

Also, Celeste F. Lewis, 39, was appointed as chief of staff to Lt. Gov. Toni Jennings.

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