House Majority Leader Tom DeLay (R-Texas) announced Tuesday a round of staff hires and promotions. [IMGCAP(1)]

Heading the list in the leadership office is Brett Loper, deputy chief of staff for legislative operations. A Mississippi native, Loper had previously served DeLay as an appropriations aide.

Another former appropriations hand, Juliane Carter Sullivan, is now DeLay’s policy director. Overseeing economic policy is John Barry, who comes to the leader’s shop from the Tax Foundation.

Danielle Simonetta is senior floor assistant after having toiled at the Office of Management and Budget. Taking a floor assistant post is Jon Robilotto, who previously worked in DeLay’s front office.

On the communications front, Michael Connolly moves over from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to be as a speechwriter. Now handling press from DeLay’s home state is Laura Blackann, who already held the title of deputy press secretary.

Moving out of the press shop is former Press Assistant Josh Shultz, now deputy director of information technology. Front office duties are currently being handled by Katie Brackin and Lilia Bruni.

In DeLay’s personal office, David James is now legislative director, while Hope Henry is special projects coordinator and legislative correspondent. Also serving as LC is Ryan Flood.

Police Memorial. The Capitol Police will host a memorial service at 9 a.m. Friday to rededicate its headquarters on D Street Northeast. It will be renamed in honor of Sgt. Christopher Eney, Officer Jacob Chestnut and Detective John Gibson, all of whom died in the line of duty.

— Ben Pershing and Jennifer Yachnin