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Top Utah House staffer to depart later this year, and a Salt Lake Chamber vice president will take his place

(Francisco Kjolseth | Tribune file photo) House Speaker Greg Hughes, right, speaks with his chief of staff Greg Hartley prior to a caucus meeting on day two of the 2018 legislative session on Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2018.

  | May 20, 2019, 8:42 p.m.

The Utah House speaker on Monday announced that his closest aide will be leaving later this year for other opportunities and will be replaced by an executive staffer from the Salt Lake Chamber.

Greg Hartley has served as chief of staff for the Utah House of Representatives since 2015, largely under the leadership of former House Speaker Greg Hughes. Hartley says after his resignation, he’ll be looking at some business and consulting opportunities and helping Hughes explore a run for governor.

“He [Hughes] has some key supporters ready to raise money to explore the landscape and should he decide to run I will put all of that together for him, but it is still very early,” Hartley wrote in a text message.

Hartley’s successor, Abby Osborne, has worked at the Salt Lake Chamber since 2015, and her current title is vice president of government relations and public policy. In that role, she coordinates the group’s legislative efforts and handles outreach with business leaders, government officials and the community, according to a news release. She will shift to her job at the Utah House on July 1, and Hartley will remain in his position for a transition period.

“I’m excited that Abby has agreed to join our team,” House Speaker Brad Wilson said in a news release. “She has a deep understanding of the long-term needs of our state, and I have full confidence that she will be able to step into this role and provide excellent leadership and management.”

Prior to joining the chamber, Osborne spent more than a decade as a public affairs manager for Granite Construction Company, a heavy civil contractor.

Before Hartley became chief of staff, he served in the administrations of two Utah governors, Jon Huntsman and Gary Herbert, and has managed and advised political campaigns at every level of government. Over the last several years, Hartley has worked on issues such as prison relocation, Medicaid expansion, transportation funding and public lands.

“Working in this role and for the House has been the highlight of my career,” Hartley said in a prepared statement. “The experience I’ve gained has given me a greater appreciation for the sacrifice and dedication of legislators and staff who commit countless hours to public service.”