The Republican National Committee announced Thursday that Ken McKay will serve as its new chief of staff, the first top staffing hire made under Chairman Michael Steele. The RNC’s announcement comes at the end of a tumultuous first six weeks for Steele, who has publicly squabbled with other party leaders. Steele cleaned house when he came to the RNC, asking every employee for their resignation in an effort to re-organize the committee. While McKay is Steele’s first big hire, additional top guns are expected to be announced soon. Sources familiar with the hiring process said the new communications director will likely be Trevor Francis, a former Commerce Department spokesman. An RNC spokesman declined to comment.McKay managed Rhode Island Gov. Don Carcieri’s (R) first campaign for governor in 2002 and his re-election in 2006. He also served as the governor’s chief of staff. According to a press release, McKay will be in charge of running the “day-to-day operations— at the committee including “personnel and managing resources.—David M. Drucker contributed to this report.