Staff Moves – HillFaith

*STAFF NEWS: Look Who Is ‘Movin’ On Up’ On The Hill

Courtesy of Legistorm:

Ian Fury has departed the staff of Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) to join up with Gov. Kristi Noem (R-SD) as Communications Director. Ian’s BA in political economy was awarded by Hillsdale College in 2014. Ian’s hometown is Houston, Texas, and he has an affinity for a certain Major League Baseball team there.

Thomas Mills is the new Legislative Assistant to Sen. David Perdue (R-GA), coming over to the Hill from the Environmental Protection Agency where he was Deputy Public Engagement Director. Thomas received a BS in economics in 2016 from Millsaps College.

Allison Childress (Screenshot from Facebook).

Rep. Greg Stanton (D-AZ) has a new Digital Press Secretary, Allison Childress. Previously, Allison was Scheduler for Rep. Ruben Gallego (D-AZ). Before that, Allison was a field organizer for the Arizona Democratic Party during the 2016 campaign. She is a 2017 graduate of the University of Arizona in law and public policy.

Chu Wang has taken up duties as Senior Counsel to the House Agriculture Committee, working for the Chairman, Rep. Colin Peterson (D-MN). He is a 2008 graduate of the University of Virginia Law School. Continue reading “*STAFF NEWS: Look Who Is ‘Movin’ On Up’ On The Hill”

STAFF MOVES: Look Who’s Movin’ On Up On Capitol Hill This Week

Recent Staff Moves, As Reported By Legistorm:

Congressional staffers are scarce on Capitol Hill this week, thanks to most offices moving to telework status, but that doesn’t mean people aren’t still getting promotions.

House Majority Whip Rep. Jim Clyburn (D-SC) adds legal muscle to his staff with the addition of Ashleigh Wilson as Legislative Director/Counsel. Ashlee comes to the Hill from Bowman and Brooke LLP. She earned her law degree in 2011 from the Wake Forest University School of Law. Her BA from Wofford College came in 2008 in Philosophy. So if you want to talk about the ontological argument for the existence of God … Continue reading “STAFF MOVES: Look Who’s Movin’ On Up On Capitol Hill This Week”

STAFF MOVES: Look Who Is Being Promoted On Capitol Hill This Week

Recent Staff Moves, As Reported By Legistorm:

Donald Stevens is the new guy in the Senate Judiciary Committee’s office, serving as Counsel via Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas). Stevens is a 2014 graduate of the University of Chicago Law School. He also earned an MA in history in 2010 from the University of Oregon and a BA in chemistry in 2007 from Stanford.

Over on the House side, Ashlee Rossler has saddled up as Legislative Assistant/Counsel for Rep. Joyce Beatty (D-Ohio). Ashlee’s law degree was awarded by the University of Wisconsin School of Law in 2019 and she received her BA in international relations and political science from Syracuse University in 2015.

It must be Counsel Week on the Hill because number three here is Ronce Almond heading over to fill that duty for the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee via Ranking Minority Member Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-WA). Ronce’s law and political science MA are both from Duke University, while his BA in history comes from George Washington University.

LOOKING FOR A HILL JOB?

Check out this five-part HillFaith series by Bret Bernhardt, former chief of staff for Senators Don Nickle (R-Okla.) and Jim DeMint (R-S.C.). Bernhardt has a wealth of experience, insider insight, how-tos and obscure terms (know what a “golden reference” is on the Hill?), plus lots of helpful links.

The Best Resources for Finding a Job On the Hill

Where Your Best Job Lead is on Capitol Hill May Surprise You

Getting in the Door on Capitol Hill

Here’s Nine Valuable Tips for Interviewing Well on Capitol Hill

Working on Capitol Hill is the World’s Best Job (Or at Least My Best Ever)

STAFF MOVES: Look Who’s Getting Promoted On Capitol Hill This Week

Recent Staff Moves, As Reported By Legistorm:

Leslie Shedd with Clemson University Quarterback Trevor Lawrence at the White House (Screenshot from Facebook).

Leslie Shedd is the new Communications Director for the House Foreign Affairs Committee’s Republicans, working for Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Texas), the ranking minority member. Leslie earned her BA in political science and french from Clemson University in 2001 and her law degree in 2007 from the University of the District of Columbia’s David A. Clarke School of Law. Leslie is a devoted Clemson fan.

Moving over from the O’Rourke presidential campaign staff to Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-OR) as a special adviser is Allison Hunn. You may also know Allison from the White House Office of Cabinet Affairs where she served as a special assistant from 2013 to 2015. Allison’s BA in french was awarded by the University of Virginia in 2011. Her law degree came in 2018 from the University of California at Berkley. Continue reading “STAFF MOVES: Look Who’s Getting Promoted On Capitol Hill This Week”

STAFF MOVES: Look Who’s Getting Promoted To New Jobs On Capitol Hill This Week

Recent Staff Moves, As Reported By Legistorm:

Kamara Jones has moved over to the Joint Economic Committee as Communications Director, working for Rep. Don Beyer (D-VA), the bicameral panel’s vice-chairman. Kamara previously served as Communications Director for the Congressional Black Caucus and before that as Press Secretary for Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.). She is a 2008 graduate of the University of Missouri School of Journalism and earned her MA in African-American Studies from Ohio State University in 2010.

Annie Kowalewski (Screen shot from Twitter)

Annie Kowalewski nabbed her first job on Capitol Hill and it’s a good one, Policy Analyst working for Sen. Robert Menendez (D-NJ) on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Annie’s law degree is from the University of Edinburgh (I absolutely love Edinburrrow!) and her MA in security studies is from Georgetown University.

Joe Fawkner has arrived in the office of Rep. Carol Miller (R-WVA) as a Senior Policy Adviser. Joe formerly lobbied on behalf of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and was Executive Director of the Hong Kong/U.S. Business Council. Joe was awarded his BA in international studies from Boston College in 2000 and is MPhil in modern Chinese studies from the University of Oxford in 2003.

LOOKING FOR A HILL JOB?

The Best Resources for Finding a Job On the Hill

Where Your Best Job Lead is on Capitol Hill May Surprise You

Getting in the Door on Capitol Hill

Here’s Nine Valuable Tips for Interviewing Well on Capitol Hill

Working on Capitol Hill is the World’s Best Job (Or at Least My Best Ever)

STAFF MOVES: Look Who’s Being Promoted On Capitol Hill This Week

Recent Staff Moves, As Reported By Legistorm:

Got a question about member services on the House Republican side? Natalie Joyce is who you need to see because she’s the new Deputy Chief of Staff for House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.). Natalie has been with McCarthy since January 2011. She’s a 2008 BA graduate in communications and public relations from Mississippi State University.

First jobs on the Hill can be both exciting and challenging as Rachel Marshall is now discovering, being the new Legislative Assistant to Rep. Jackie Speier (D-Calif.). Before coming aboard with Speier, Marshall was with with the Campaign for Youth Justice and the American Civil Liberties Union. Rachel was awarded her BS in political science in 2009 from Ball State University and her law degree in 2016 from the American University Washington College of Law.

Daniel Bucheli (Screenshot from Facebook).

You may know Daniel Bucheli as president of the Republican Communicators Association but he’s also just returned to a familiar position, Communications Director for Rep. Ross Spano (R-FL). Previously, he served a stint with the Trump re-election campaign as Deputy Press Secretary and before that was Spano’s CD. Johns Hopkins University awarded Daniel an MA in public policy and political communication in 2015 and in 2010 he earned a BA in government and world affairs from the University of Tampa. Continue reading “STAFF MOVES: Look Who’s Being Promoted On Capitol Hill This Week”

STAFF MOVES: Look Who’s Being Promoted On The Hill This Week

Recent Staff Moves, As Reported By Legistorm:

Aryn Fields is now Communications Director for Rep. JaHana Hayes (D-CT). Previously, Aryn was Press Secretary for Rep. Vicente Gonzalez (D-TX) and before that interned in the personal staff office of Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY). She is a 2018 MA graduate in political communication from American University and she earned a 2016 BA in government from California State University at Sacramento.

Tanner Spencer appears to be in it for the long run (screen shot from Facebook).

Tanner Spencer was just promoted to Senior Legislative Assistant for Rep. Jim Banks (R-IND), from his prior duties as a Legislative Assistant. Tanner has been with Banks since serving as his campaign field director in 2016. He’s a 2016 graduate of Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne in public administration.

Now handling scheduling duties for Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) is Mark Waits, moving up from Deputy Scheduler/Assistant to the Chief of Staff. Mark is a 2019 political science BS graduate from Utah Valley University. Continue reading “STAFF MOVES: Look Who’s Being Promoted On The Hill This Week”

STAFF MOVES: Look Who’s Getting Promoted On The Hill This Week

Recent Staff Moves, As Reported By Legistorm:

Jake Johnsen has set up shop as Chief of Staff for Rep. Hal Rogers (R-KY). Jake is a 2009 graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point in political science.

Natalie Johnson, press secretary for Sen. Martha McSally. Screen shot from Facebook).

Natalie Johnson is now Press Secretary for Sen. Martha McSally (R-AZ), moving up to the Senate side after serving Rep. Liz Cheney (R-WY) and the House Republican Conference. Natalie’s BA in political science was awarded in 2015 from James Madison University.

Caroline Goodsen has made the move from the American Enterprise Institute (AEI) to serve as Military Legislative Assistant to Rep. Jim Langevin (D-RI). Continue reading “STAFF MOVES: Look Who’s Getting Promoted On The Hill This Week”

STAFF MOVES: Look Who Is Being Promoted On The Hill!

Recent Staff Moves, As Reported By Legistorm:

Katie Earle is the new professional staff member in the office of the House Foreign Affairs Committee Republican staff. Katie comes over to the House side following her tenure as a national security fellow for Sen. John Hoeven (R-ND). She is a 2019 MA graduate in security studies and military operations from Georgetown University, while her 2012 BA from Middlebury College was in Russian studies.

Another significant move on the Republican side of things is that of Erik Kenney to legislative director for Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner (R-WI). Erik’s 2013 BA in political studies is from Marquette University.

Newlyweds Natalie Knight and Matthew Ellison (Screenshot from Facebook).

New evidence that Hill staffers sometimes meet, work in some proximity, fall in love, then get married: Natalie Smith, legislative counsel for Rep. Lucy McBath (D-GA.) and Matthew Ellison, deputy policy counsel for the House Democratic Whip Rep. Jim Clyburn (D-SC). HillFaith sends blessings and best wishes to the newlyweds.

Ebise Bayisa is the new House Judiciary Committee counsel on the Democratic side. The judiciary slot is Ebise’s first position on a Hill staff, as she formerly worked for the U.S. Sentencing Commission as a senior attorney. Her law degree was earned in 2005 from the American University Washington College of Law. Continue reading “STAFF MOVES: Look Who Is Being Promoted On The Hill!”

WORKING ON THE HILL: Why Do So Many Staffers Resign From The Staffs Of These Senators And Representatives?

Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.) and Rep. Kay Granger (R-Texas) had the highest rate of staff turnover in 2019, according to rankings calculated by Legistorm. But there may be more to their stories than first thought.

Senators and representatives tend to create their own unique staff universes that to some degree reflect themselves, so a lot of attention is paid to those with the highest and lowest turnover rates.

But a high turnover rate is not necessarily an indicator of a “bad boss” job seekers should avoid, especially in the cases of Harris and Granger. Harris made an unsuccessful bid for the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination. Such campaigns almost always have a big impact on an incumbent’s staff and Harris ranked much lower in prior years. Continue reading “WORKING ON THE HILL: Why Do So Many Staffers Resign From The Staffs Of These Senators And Representatives?”

STAFF MOVES: Look Who’s Getting Promoted On The Hill

Recent Staff Moves, As Reported By Legistorm:

The Problem-Solvers Caucus has added Jessica Gail to its ranks as communications director, working for Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ). Now in her seventh year, this is Jessica’s fourth position on the Hill since first joining the staff of Rep. Jim Matheson (D-Utah) in 2013. She is a 2007 graduate with a BA from the University of Indiana at Bloomington in broadcast journalism and religious studies.

Holly Reagan Hinjosa is now policy adviser for Sen. Steve Daines (R-MT), covering environmental protection and public lands issues. Holly is a native Texan but earned her BA in international and global studies from the University of Wyoming in 2015 and her MA in natural resources management from the University of Idaho in 2019. Holly’s Hill career began in 2016 as an intern for Sen. John Barrasso (R-WY). Continue reading “STAFF MOVES: Look Who’s Getting Promoted On The Hill”

STAFF MOVES: Look Who’s Getting Promoted On The Hill

Recent Staff Moves, As Reported By Legistorm:

Stephen Smith is the House Republican Conference’s new press secretary, working with Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wy.). He was previously communications director for Rep. French Hill (R-Ark.). Stephen is a 2010 graduate from the University of Indiana, Bloomington, with a BS in business.

Got a scheduling question involving Rep. Steven Horsford (D-NV)? Ronald Mak is who you want to see, as he is the new scheduler in that office. Ronald was previously a policy fellow working on the House Financial Services Committee for the panel’s chairman, Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Calif.). Ronald earned an MPA/MA in economics in 2017 from Syracuse University, and a BA in economics and political science from the University of Redlands in 2015. Continue reading “STAFF MOVES: Look Who’s Getting Promoted On The Hill”

STAFF MOVES: Look Who Is Getting Promoted On The Hill

Recent Staff Moves, As Reported By Legistorm:

Kate Gould is the new senior policy adviser to Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.), following a stint as a foreign policy fellow at the Congressional Progressive Caucus Center. She is a 2007 graduate

of Western Washington University with a BA in international development, political science and international relations. Gould was formerly a registered lobbyist for the Friends Committee on National Legislation.

Speaking of new faces, Jonathan Arias is now the senior defense policy adviser on the Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee. The committee is chaired by Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.). Arias has worked for the Florida senator since 2011. He lists as his hobby running triathlons. Continue reading “STAFF MOVES: Look Who Is Getting Promoted On The Hill”

STAFF MOVES: Look Who Is Getting Promoted On The Hill

Recent Staff Moves, As Reported By Legistorm:

There’s a new deputy chief of staff for Rep. Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.) and the name is Jefferson Deming. Deming is moving up from the legislative director slot in the same office. He’s a 2012 Vanderbilt University graduate in political science and government.

Jefferson Deming (Screen shot from his Facebook page).

As the accompanying photo from his Facebook page shows, Deming is seriously into moving up. Be nice to him, too, because he lists among his former jobs being a summer roustabout on an off-shore drilling rig. That’s no job for the faint-hearted!

Heather Sager (Screen shot from her Facebook page).

Heather Sager is the new communications director for Rep. Cheri Bustos (D-Ill.). Heather got her law degree in 2010 from the University of Indiana School of Law and her BA in philosophy and international studies from Saint John’s University in 2007. This is her first Hill position, so welcome, Heather!

Continue reading “STAFF MOVES: Look Who Is Getting Promoted On The Hill”

STAFF MOVES: Look Who’s Getting Promoted On The Hill

Recent Staff Moves, As Reported By Legistorm:

Anne Gordon returns to the Hill as tax counsel to Sen. Todd Young (R-Ind.) after a long absence. Gordon was previously an intern in 2002 to Rep. Jim Saxton (R-NJ). In between, Gordon was most recently with Pricewaterhousecoopers LLP. She received her LLM in taxation from Georgetown University Law Center and her JD from Boston College Law School in 2011.

Dan Lindner and friend (Screen shot from Facebook).

Got a question for Rep. Norman Torres (D-Calif.)? New communications director Dan Lindner is who to call. He was previously in the same slot for Rep. Raúl Manuel Grijalva (D-Az.). Dan’s MA in political science came in 2011 from American University and his BA from San Diego State University in the same major was earned in 2006. And no, that is not a journalist Dan is cuddling in the accompanying photo. Continue reading “STAFF MOVES: Look Who’s Getting Promoted On The Hill”