Michelle Obama gets new chief of staff

WASHINGTON, June 5 (UPI) -- First lady Michelle Obama has opted for a new chief of staff, the White House said Thursday.

Just four months into the new administration's term, Jackie Norris is being replaced on Obama's staff by Susan Sher.

Both Sher and Norris were described in the White House news release as colleagues and friends of Obama's.

Norris, who now will be come a senior adviser to the Corporation for National and Community Service, got to know Obama during the early days of the 2008 presidential campaign in Iowa.

"She has built a strong organization in the East Wing and made tremendous progress on issues that are important to me and the president, particularly in the area of national service," the first lady said. "In assuming the role as senior adviser to the Corporation for National and Community Service, Jackie will work closely with my office and the administration as we move forward to implement the new Serve America Act and we will continue to count on Jackie's leadership and passion for this cause."

Obama noted her relationship with Sher dated to her time at the city of Chicago and the University of Chicago.

"Since the beginning of this administration, Susan has served as a senior member of the East Wing and West Wing teams providing legal counsel, working as a member of the health care reform task force and leading Jewish outreach, and her transition to chief of staff will be seamless," Obama said.