Rep. Barbara Lee (D-Calif.) has made a couple of changes to her Washington, D.C., office, hiring one new staffer and promoting one more.

Julie Nickson has been promoted to chief of staff. She has been with the Congresswoman for three years. Prior to joining Lee’s staff, Nickson worked in the office of Rep. Marcy Kaptur (D-Ohio).

Before coming to Capitol Hill, Nickson was the assistant counsel to the George Washington University Health Plan. Nickson received her bachelor’s from the University of Maryland and her law degree from Nova Southeastern University; she is a member of the bar in D.C., Maryland and Florida. She calls Gaithersburg, Md., home.

Nathan Britton joins the office as communications director, taking over for C. Stuart Chapman. Prior to joining Lee’s staff, Britton served as the political director for California Peace Action, a nonprofit dedicated to encouraging world peace. The Hamilton, Mass., native holds a bachelor’s in English and comparative literature, which he received from Occidental College in 1995.

Ross’ Staff Shaken Up. Rep. Mike Ross (D-Ark.) has hired two new staffers and promoted three old ones.

Kate Callanan, 28, comes on board as a legislative assistant, replacing Sylvia Brown. Callanan previously worked in the office of Sen. Tim Johnson (D-S.D.). While there, she worked on health care, Social Security and disabilities issues. Callanan hails from Kensington, Md., and graduated from Hobart William College with a bachelor’s in history in 1999. [IMGCAP(1)]

Rachel Kleinman, 26, has been promoted to communications director, taking over for Adrienne Elrod. She has worked her way up the ranks in Ross’ office, previously having served as a staff assistant and scheduler for the

Congressman. The Hot Springs, Ark., native graduated from the University of Michigan in 2001 with a bachelor’s in political science.

Erin Hogue takes over for Kleinman in the role of the scheduler/executive assistant. Hogue, 23, most recently served as a staff assistant for Ross. Hogue holds a bachelor’s in history and political science from Baptist University, which she received last year, and is working on a master’s in legislative affairs at George Washington University. She calls Arkadelphia, Ark., home.

Former Staff Assistant Beau Bishop takes over the role of special projects coordinator. He will also handle the responsibilities of a legislative correspondent, systems administrator and grants coordinator. Bishop, 27, also hails from Arkadelphia and graduated from Baptist University; he finished up in 2001 with a bachelor’s in professional accounting.

Katie Odom, 22, replaces Hogue in the role of staff assistant. Her prior Hill experience comes from the office of Sen. Blanche Lincoln (D-Ark.), where she served as an intern. Odom holds a bachelor’s in psychology, which she received from the University of Arkansas in 2004.