Ben Fallon, a longtime aide and spokesman for Rep. Jerry Weller (R-Ill.), left Capitol Hill last week to take a job at the other end of Pennsylvania Avenue as special assistant to Assistant Secretary of State Lincoln Bloomfield.

Fallon has been with Weller since 1997 and worked his way up to media spokesman in 1999 and deputy chief of staff in 2001. During the 2002 election cycle, Fallon managed the Congressman’s political operations overseeing Congressional redistricting.

Prior to serving with Weller, Fallon worked for then-Sen. Al D’Amato (R-N.Y.) and participated in the Senate Banking Committee investigation into the disposition of Holocaust victims’ assets in Swiss banks.

Fallon earned a master’s from George Washington University in 1998 and a bachelor’s from Wesley College. He is a New Jersey native who now lives in Manassas, Va.

“While we will be sad to see Ben leave my office, I am excited and happy about the opportunity that is before him,” Weller said in a statement. “Ben’s talents and work effort will be well received at the State Department and he will be an asset to the President and his administration.” [IMGCAP(1)]

Tar Heel Triad. Rep. Howard Coble (R-N.C.) recently welcomed back his former chief of staff and hired two new staffers in his Rayburn House office.

Ed McDonald, 49, rejoins Coble’s office after a stint as deputy chief of staff for Maryland Gov. Robert Ehrlich (R). McDonald, who has taken on his old position of chief of staff/press secretary, worked for Coble from 1985 to 2002 before leaving Capitol Hill. Before his career in politics, McDonald worked as a radio reporter in North Carolina and New York.

McDonald is a 1978 graduate of Towson State University. The Baltimore, Md., native holds a degree in mass communications.

Joining Coble’s staff as a legislative assistant is Robbie Boone, 30. The former assistant vice president of U.S. Trust in Raleigh, N.C., will handle transportation, trade, defense, Coast Guard and foreign affairs among his legislative issues. The Raleigh native holds a law and business degree from the University of Miami and attended Wake Forest University as an undergraduate.

Rounding out Coble’s new hires is Jennifer Brady, 21. As the office’s new constituent liaison, Brady will handle mail, tours and Web site maintenance among her responsibilities. The Appalachian State University graduate holds a bachelor’s in communication/advertising and hails from Ramseur, N.C.