Springfield, IL (CAPITOL CITY NOW) – The chief of staff of any administration is an important position because they are charged with controlling access to the chief executive as well as coordinating efforts between the various departments under executive control.

Now comes Billy Fleischli to the office of Mayor Misty Buscher.

He’s been on the payroll for all of twelve days but he took some time from a busy schedule to sit down and talk with WTAX News.

Billy is 31. He’s married and the father of one young daughter. While he was born in Springfield he’s been working in Tennessee for the last 6 1/2 years.

Fleischli talked about the number of great chiefs of staff he has worked under or had the opportunity to interact with in his career including Kyle Hamm at the Treasurer’s office, Don Grey who is currently the Sangamon County Clerk, Phil Draves at the Senate and others.

He said a good chief of staff doesn’t have an ‘open door policy’, a good chief of staff is out beating the weeds and making things happen.

He sees being a facilitator the mayor’s goals as his primary role. Working with the various depts, keeping open lines of communication and keeping the ball rolling, whatever form that may take.

Billy has a strong family pedigree in public service, His father, Bill, was a teacher, coach and noted lobbyist and his uncle George was also an educator and was a championship football coach for Griffin High School.