State budget director Benjamin Barnes has named Karen Buffkin as his new second in command, starting Jan. 5.
Buffkin, who has served as undersecretary for legal affairs since January, replaces Mark Ojakian who Thursday was named chief of staff to Gov. Dannel P. Malloy.
Before coming to OPM Buffkin was general counsel for the state Board of Labor Relations. She also served for eight years as general counsel to then-State Comptroller Nancy Wyman, and eight years as assistant corporation counsel and special counsel in the City of Hartford.
