Lexington Mayor-elect Jim Gray announced Thursday that his chief of staff will be Jamie Emmons, who managed Gray's election campaign.

Gray said he selected Emmons for his organizational skills and his ability to build a team of people who work well together.

"Jamie assembled the best campaign staff I've ever seen, and I've seen a lot," Gray said in a prepared statement.

Gray also said noted Emmons' skills as a problem solver who acts in "a calm and deliberate fashion."

A 2003 graduate of the University of Kentucky, Emmons spent five years at Emmons & Co., a political consulting firm run by his father, Dale Emmons.

Emmons is the second appointment Gray has announced this week. On Monday, he appointed former 11th District Urban County Councilman Richard Moloney as his chief administrative officer.

Reach Beverly Fortune at (859) 231-3251 or 1-800-950-6397, Ext. 3251