Hayes Promotes One
Rep. Robin Hayes (R-N.C.) has named Jana Weir, 30, as his legislative assistant for transportation issues. Weir replaces Jon Causey, who leaves Hayes’ office to serve as legislative director for new Rep. Patrick McHenry (R-N.C.).
Weir spent five years as a school teacher in Virginia before coming to Hayes’ office in July 2001 as a legislative correspondent. Since December of that year she has handled education and health care issues for the Representative as a legislative assistant.
A native of Carmel, Ind., Weir attended Taylor University and received a bachelor’s in education from that school in 1996. Weir recently became engaged to fellow Capitol Hill staffer Francis Gibbs, who has just joined the office of Rep. Connie Mack IV (R-Fla.) as legislative director.
Atkins Elevated. Rep. Bart Gordon (D-Tenn.) has appointed his chief of staff, Chuck Atkins, to be the Democratic staff director on the House Science Committee. Atkins replaces longtime staff director Robert Palmer, who retired at the end of the 108th Congress. In addition to taking over as staff director, Atkins will continue to serve as Gordon’s chief of staff.
Atkins, 58, has worked in Gordon’s office since 1998. Before joining his staff, Atkins served as chief of staff for then-Rep. Scotty Baesler (D-Ky.) from 1993 to 1998. In addition to his Congressional work, Atkins served in the Marine Corps, including a tour of duty in Vietnam from 1967 to 1968.
A native of Atlanta, Atkins received a bachelor’s in psychology and urban studies from Georgia State University. He
also has a master’s in public administration from Ohio State University.
New Chief for Renzi. Rep. Rick Renzi (R-Ariz.) appointed Karen Lynch to serve as his chief of staff earlier this month.
Lynch, 32, served as counsel to the House Financial Services Committee from 2001 to 2003. This fall, Lynch served as a regional field director on the Mel Martinez for Senate Campaign in Florida. Before coming to Washington, Lynch worked for the Illinois secretary of state.
A native of St. Petersburg, Fla., Lynch received a bachelor’s in political science in 1994 from Loyola University in Chicago and a law degree from Chicago-Kent College of Law in 1997.
In her spare time, Lynch trains to compete in triathlons. She participates with Team in Training, which is a group that raises money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society by competing in triathlons.[IMGCAP(1)]
Allen Names New Deputy Chief. Virginia Sen. George Allen (R) announced this week that Tricia Pearson, 33, would be joining his staff as deputy chief of staff.
Pearson has previously served as a campaign manager and director of special projects for Sen. Conrad Burns (R-Mont.) and executive director of the Montana Republican Party. Most recently, Pearson worked at the National Republican Senatorial Committee from the summer of 2003 until last month as the western region political director.
A native of Billings, Pearson received a bachelor’s in political science from the University of Montana in 1994.