Eugene R. Lynch was named chief of staff by Gov. Parris N. Glendening yesterday, succeeding Alvin C. Collins who resigned to become chief human services officer for Anne Arundel County.

Lynch, 45, most recently deputy chief of staff, was secretary of the Department of General Services from 1996 to 1998. He is a 1983 summa cum laude graduate of the University of Maryland.

Lynch will manage the daily operations of state government and work with members of Glendening's Cabinet.