WASHINGTON-Treasury Secretary John Snow recently announced the appointment of Christopher Smith as his new chief of staff, following the resignation of agency veteran Tim Adams. Smith has served as counselor to the Treasury Secretary since 2001. Prior to coming to Treasury, he served in various capacities including chief of staff, from 1988 through 2000 for the House Ways and Means Committee. Before that he was a budget examiner and special assistant at the Office of Management and Budget for two years and a program evaluator at the General Accounting Office for two years. Adams' resignation is effective Nov. 28 and Smith takes over the post Dec. 1. Snow praised Adams' tenure at the Department, stating, "I want to publicly thank Tim Adams for his outstanding service, his dedication to the Department and the President, and for his valued advice. Tim possesses outstanding policy instincts and leadership abilities that will certainly be missed. "At the same time, I couldn't be more pleased Chris Smith has agreed to serve as my Chief of Staff. Chris brings with him a wide range of Capitol Hill experience, legislative expertise and a profound knowledge of the Department." Treasury's chief of staff manages the day-to-day operations of the department generally and the Secretary's office specifically, coordinating policy development and review within the department and with the administration, and assisting in setting Treasury's overall strategic direction. The chief of staff also advises the Secretary on policy and management issues and economic and market conditions.