Dennis Ellis, 30, is leaving the office of Rep. Barbara Cubin (R-Wyo.). He served as legislative director during the past four years for the lone Representative from the Equality State.

Originally from Casper, the Wyomingite attended the University of Wyoming in Laramie for both undergraduate and graduate work, attaining a bachelor’s degree in English in 1996 as well as a law degree in 2000.

In addition to his law degree, Ellis has a master’s of science in conflict resolution from the George Mason Institute of Conflict Analysis and Resolution. The degree will be especially important for Ellis, as he has been hired as a mediator with the Meridian Institute in Dillon, Colo.

Israel Hires Two, Promotes Two. Rep. Steve Israel (D-N.Y.) made a number of moves around his Washington, D.C., office prior to the Fourth of July recess.

Jack Pratt, 28, replaces Mark Siegel as the chief of staff for Israel. Originally from South Bend, Ind., Pratt attended Kenyon College, where he received a bachelor’s in political science in 1998. After his undergraduate years at the small Ohio school, Pratt obtained a master’s from the London School of Economics.

Pratt was one of the first people to be hired by Israel after his election to the House in November 2000. Prior to his new role as chief of staff, Pratt served as the deputy chief of staff and press secretary for the Congressman.

Israel’s new press secretary is Ryan Rudominer. The 26-year-old from Milwaukee is no stranger to Capitol Hill, having previously served as a page for Sen. Herb Kohl (D-Wis.) while in high school. He graduated from Emory College in 2000 with a bachelor’s in political science.

Since graduating, Rudominer has held a variety of jobs in Washington. In addition to a number of election campaigns, he has worked for the press office of NARAL Pro-Choice America, the National Jewish Democratic Council and the Democratic National Committee.

Andrea Perler, 27, takes over as Israel’s legislative correspondent. A native of Syosset, N.Y., in suburban Long Island and part of the Representative’s district, Perler previously served as a staff assistant in the Washington office.

Perler attended Indiana University for her undergraduate work, and upon completion of her bachelor’s degree in 1998 she moved on to Brooklyn Law School, where she completed her law degree in 2002.

Another native of Israel’s district now in the employ of the Congressman is new staffer Stephen Hedger, who will be handling the scheduling and constituent services for Israel.

Hedger, 27, is from Northport, N.Y., and graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point in 1999 with a bachelor’s in international relations.

Hedger, who recently returned to the United States after a tour of service in Iraq, received a number of awards for his service in the Gulf, including the Bronze Star Medal, the Army Commendation Medal and the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal. Hedger will be especially helpful for Israel who sits on the House Armed Services Committee.

Correction
Paul Teller is not replacing Lisa Bos as deputy director of the Republican Study Committee, as stated in the June 28 Hill Climbers column; deputy director is a newly created title. Bos was the director of education reform.