(Las Vegas, NV) — Heidi Gansert has resigned as chief of staff to Gov. Brian Sandoval.

“After weeks of discussion with my family and subsequently with Governor Sandoval, I have decided this is the right time for me to step down as Governor Sandoval’s chief of staff,” Gansert said in a statement.

Sandoval said in a statement: “I am sorry to see Heidi leave my staff, but the work she has done laid the foundation for our team’s continued success. Heidi’s expertise with the state budget and policy matters was tremendously helpful during the legislative session and she has been a steady hand with my Cabinet and the operations of state government  I am grateful she agreed to serve during these important first two years.”

Sandoval and Gansert have known each other since they went to high school together at Bishop Manogue in Reno, graduating in 1981.