Former senator Norma Burgos named La Fortaleza chief of staff

Norma Burgos Andújar, a veteran politician and administrator who has held high-level posts in both the legislative and executive branches of the Puerto Rico government, sits at Gov. Jenniffer González Colón’s left at Monday’s Drought Committee meeting at La Fortaleza. The governor has tapped Burgos to serve as La Fortaleza chief of staff, entrusting a longtime public-sector leader with a central role in coordinating agencies and advancing the administration’s agenda. (Facebook via Jenniffer González Colón)

By THE STAR STAFF

Gov. Jenniffer González Colón has selected economist and former senator Norma Burgos Andújar to serve as La Fortaleza chief of staff, entrusting a longtime public-sector leader with a central role in coordinating agencies and advancing the administration’s agenda.

“I come here to administrate, that’s my background,” Burgos said at a press conference on Monday afternoon. “I’m surrounded by intelligent people.”

In a statement earlier Monday, the governor framed the appointment as part of an effort to speed up the government’s work and strengthen oversight across agencies. González Colón said her administration is entering a new phase focused on moving more quickly, improving coordination, and ensuring that its priorities are carried out, adding that Burgos has the experience, government knowledge and ability needed to help lead that work.

“I asked how I could help and [the governor] told me the chief of staff [office],” Burgos said. “I’m very motivated. I have a lot of desire to help.”

Burgos replaces Francisco Domenech Fernández, the former La Fortaleza chief of staff and lobbyist who stepped down after allegations surfaced that he attempted to influence contract awards.

Burgos earned a bachelor’s degree in economics and a master’s degree in public administration from the University of Puerto Rico, graduating with honors in both programs. Her professional background includes extensive work in economic policy, planning, infrastructure and government management. She has served as an economist and planner, pursued advanced studies at Georgia Tech and Harvard’s Kennedy School, and held senior posts in both the executive and legislative branches of Puerto Rico’s government.

Between 1993 and 1999, Burgos was chairwoman and associate member of the Puerto Rico Planning Board, where she helped guide economic policy and long-range planning. She later served as secretary of state, participating in boards and committees connected to economic development, infrastructure, energy, transportation, investment and broader public policy. During that period, she also served as acting governor on several occasions.

From 2001 to 2012, Burgos served in the island Senate, where she chaired committees dealing with economic development, planning, public-private partnerships, urban affairs, infrastructure, commerce and cooperatives. Her public service also includes seats on the governing boards of the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority and the Convention District Authority, as well as electoral positions at the State Elections Commission from 2016 to 2019.

González Colón said Burgos’ decision to return to public service after retirement reflects the administration’s need for experienced leadership. The governor said Burgos’ background in public administration, economics and planning would help produce better services and a more agile government for Puerto Rico residents.

In her role as La Fortaleza chief of staff, Burgos will coordinate directly with department secretaries and agency heads, track progress on the administration’s priorities, and help resolve issues that require cooperation among multiple government entities. The position is especially important for moving forward infrastructure work, economic development efforts, and regulatory matters that depend on agencies acting in sync.

“I’m very disciplined, very punctual, I’m very organized and don’t tolerate mediocrity,” the new chief of staff said.

The appointment makes Burgos a central figure in the administration’s push to improve government performance, speed up project delivery, and make interagency operations more efficient.