Rep. John McHugh (R-N.Y.) lost his deputy press secretary to the Maryland Republican Party at the end of last year when, in mid-November, Deborah Martinez transferred off Capitol Hill to replace Steve Crim as the state party’s communications director.

Prior to her work on the Hill, Martinez, 26, worked as a reporter at the Times Union in Albany, N.Y. She also served as principal military reporter for the Corpus Christi (Texas) Caller-Times.

Martinez is a graduate of Southwest Texas State University, now known as Texas State University, where she earned a degree in journalism. The Mission, Texas, native is also enrolled in the Naval War College’s distance program for National Security and Strategic Policy.

Officer on Deck. Sen Chuck Hagel (R-Neb.) closed out 2003 with the hiring of Navy Capt. Randel Zeller as senior defense policy adviser. Zeller, 50, most recently served as special assistant and legislative director to the past two chairmen of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. He also commanded the nuclear powered submarine USS GATO and served as commander of the Navy’s shipyard in King’s Bay, Ga.

“I am proud to have Randy join my staff,” Hagel said in a statement. “Randy has served this country with distinction for over 28 years. His depth of experience and knowledge in military affairs will be an important addition to my office.”

A graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, Zeller also holds a master’s degree in national security and strategic studies from the U.S. Naval War College. [IMGCAP(1)]

New Blood in Beaver State Office. Jill Wyman spent the end of last year getting settled into her new role as scheduler and office manager in Rep. Greg Walden’s (R-Ore.) office.

Wyman will now be responsible for coordinating Walden’s daily schedule and managing the office budget and payroll. She will also be responsible for the office intern program.

Wyman, a Madera, Calif., native, comes to Walden’s team from the office of Golden State Rep. George Radanovich (R). She began in Radanovich’s office as an intern in the fall of 2000 and left his office as executive assistant.

Wyman graduated in 2001 from California State University at Fresno with a bachelor’s degree in history.