U.S. Secretary of Education Rod Paige announced today that beginning Monday, October 1, 2001, John Danielson will assume responsibilities at the U.S. Department of Education. He will ultimately serve as chief of staff to the secretary.

A former special assistant to then-Education Secretary Lamar Alexander, Danielson will be returning to the department and to Washington, D.C., after an 8-year absence. During that period, he helped to found Community Education Partners (CEP), an education company that partners with public schools to offer disruptive and low-performing students alternative education opportunities. A graduate of the University of Texas at Austin, Danielson is a native of Houston who has worked with Paige through CEP and various community organizations.

"John has great experience within the Department of Education and in the field of education reform," Paige said. "We have worked together for many years in Houston, and I look forward to having the benefit of his sage counsel and assistance here." Danielson will be taking over as chief of staff following the departure of Terry Abbott, who joined Paige initially as press secretary for the Houston Independent School District and traveled with him to Washington, D.C., to assist in making the transition to the Department of Education. Abbott will be returning to his area of special expertise — communications and public and media affairs. He has accepted a position in public affairs at another federal agency to be announced shortly.

"I want to thank Terry for stepping in at a crucial time to help me get our new team in place," Paige said. "I know that he is looking forward to getting back into the public affairs and media business, and I am pleased he is able to do that while continuing to serve President Bush's administration."