Shani Rosenstock and friend (screenshot from Facebook).
Shani Rosenstock joins the Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee as a Professional Staff Member, working for the chairman, Sen. Ron Johnson (R-WI). Shani earned her BA in political science and business administration (Magna Cum Laude) from American University in 2017.
Mia Mayberry (Screenshot from Facebook).
Mia Mayberry is now Outreach Director for Sen. Amy Kloubachar (D-MN), after serving on the Kloubachar presidential campaign and before that working for California Democratic Sen. Kamala Harris’ bid for the White House. Mia’s law degree is from Valparaiso University School of Law in 2014 and she was awarded a BS in criminal justice from Northeastern University in 2011. Continue reading “STAFF NEWS: Look Who’s Movin’ Up On The Hill This Week”
There is likely nobody outside of President Donald Trump himself in a more pressure-packed job in the public spotlight these days than White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany.
White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany (Screen shot from youtube).
In the short time she has been in the position, she has displayed an articulate, intelligent, and graciously forceful approach to dealing with what surely is the most hostile crowd of White House correspondents ever.
There are more than a few communications directors and press secretaries on Capitol Hill (I’ve been both) who can relate to the challenges McEnany must deal with on a daily basis.
Her comments in this interview with CBN’s David Brody about what Ravi Zacharias meant to her as a Christian at Oxford University suggest her press briefing inquisitors would do well to consider carefully who and what they are now up against:
Matthew’s account of Jesus walking on the water is among the most well-known of His miracles, but there is another important aspect of this event that ought especially to capture the attention of anybody working on a congressional staff.
Screenshot from Facebook.
What’s your ambition? Move up to a better-paid, higher-challenge position with your current boss? Climb the ladder to work for the most influential and powerful senator or representative? Maybe it’s to make contacts and then join a lobbying firm or advocacy group. The Hill is a wonderful springboard in countless ways, but it can also be a tough, risky place to work.
Bret Bernhardt, former chief of staff for senators Don Nickles and Jim DeMint.
Moving from adversity to aspiration may seem like a matter of national policy, especially now, but it is just as relevant to us personally as we work on Capitol Hill.
These two “A’s” can serve to unite a nation, yet they can also help us individually to overcome personal trials. I can think of no better time to explore what this means than now.
Sarah Selip is the new Communications Director for Rep. Jody Hice (R-GA). Sarah was previously founder of 917 Strategies and before that a public relations strategist for Shirley & Bannister. She earned her BA in public relations, advertising and applied communications from St. Vincent College in 2017.
Oriana Pina, Hispanic Media Director for Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY)(Screenshot from Facebook).
Taking the reins as Hispanic Media Director for Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) is Oriana Pina. She comes to the Schumer staff from the SKDKnickerbocker LLC communications strategies firm where she was a Senior Associate. Oriana was awarded an MA in global communications and public diplomacy from George Washington University in 2015 and a BS in international relations in 2012 from the home of the Seminoles, Florida State University.
Now serving as Deputy Counsel for Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO) is John Ehrett,following nearly two years as an Associate in the firm Gibson Dunn & Crutcher LLP. John earned his JD from Yale University School of Law in 2017 and completed his BA in government as summa cum laude at Patrick Henry College in 2014.
Leaving The Hill:
After more than three years as Chief of Staff for Rep. Antonio Cardenas (D-Calif.),Miguel Francois moving to NBC Universal as Vice President for Government Affairs. Miguel received his BA in political science from the University of Southern California in 2007.
Sunil Varghese put in almost two years as Counsel to Sen. Diane Feinstein (D-Calif.) on the Senate Judiciary Committee. He is now Project Director for the International Refugee Assistance Project, Inc. He received his JD in 2007 from Georgetown University Law Center and both a BA in government and a BBA in management information systems in 2002 from the University of Texas.
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.
With the average tenure of a congressional aide in a position traditionally being less than two years, it’s not often that we see somebody doing the same key job for the same Member of Congress for nearly a decade.
Rep. Mo Brooks (R-Ala.), left, departing chief of staff Mark Pettitt, right. (Photo courtesy of Brooks).
Such a person is Mark Pettitt, the departing chief of staff for Rep. Mo Brooks (R-Ala.) ever since the Alabamian was first elected to Congress in the Tea Party Revolution of 2010.
Being a journalist covering Congress and national politics, I often hear from readers reacting via email to something I’ve reported, usually in positive terms but not always. Once in a while, a message comes soaked with insults and venom.
Photo by Alessandro Bellone on Unsplash.
I got such an email earlier today reacting to my March 20 story in The Epoch Times reporting on criticism sparked by that news photo you probably saw of Vice President Mike Pence leading prayer in the Oval Office for the Coronavirus Task Force he heads and for the nation in its response to the coronavirus Pandemic.
