LANSING, MI (AP)-- Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder's longtime chief of staff is leaving the office at the end of the year.
Snyder on Tuesday announced the retirement of Dennis Muchmore. It is effective in January, when Muchmore will become a counselor to Snyder and oversee special projects. He has been Snyder's chief of staff since the governor took office in January 2011.
Muchmore will be replaced by Snyder's communications director, Jarrod Agen.
Agen has been Snyder's communications director since January 2014 and was acting director of strategy before the arrival of John Walsh. He has held several positions in the federal government, working for the Department of Homeland Security, Department of State and Environmental Protection Agency.