Myrna Dugan, 52, retired last week after a long career on and off Capitol Hill. She most recently worked as legislative director for Rep. Steve Buyer (R-Ind.) since 1993. [IMGCAP(2)]

“Myrna Dugan is a rare person who is virtuous, principled and pragmatic with an institutional knowledge that is unparalleled,” Buyer said in a statement. “As she leaves Congress, this country is better because of her service, and her retirement will be felt greatly.”

Prior to joining Buyer’s office, Dugan worked for former Vice President Dan Quayle (R) as a staff secretary from 1989 to 1993. Before that, she worked as chief legislative assistant for Quayle when he was in the Senate from 1981 to 1989 and as legislative assistant and legislative correspondent to Quayle from 1979 to 1981 when he represented Indiana in the House. From 1977 to 1979, she worked as a legislative correspondent/computerized mail operator for then-Rep. Marc Lincoln Marks (R-Pa.). [IMGCAP(1)]

From Kennerdell, Pa., Dugan graduated from Westminster College in New Wilmington, Pa., in 1977.

Three Join Davis Staff. Rep. Danny Davis (D-Ill.) has added a trio of new staffers to his Washington, D.C., office.

Coming aboard as chief of staff is Yul Edwards.

Edwards previously worked as a defense lobbyist for Fabiani & Co. from 2004 to 2007. He also has worked as legislative director for then-Rep. Frank Ballance (D-N.C.) and previously worked for Davis as a legislative assistant from 2001 to 2003.

From Texarkana, Texas, Ballance graduated from the University of Central Arkansas with a bachelor’s degree in political science and psychology. He played strong safety for the football team while in college.

Helen Mitchell joins Davis as as director of strategic planning and policy development. She previously worked as a senior analyst with the University of Illinois at Chicago’s College of Urban Planning and Public Affairs Institute for Research on Race and Public Policy.

Mitchell also worked for or held leadership positions with The Quaker Oats Co., the American Society of Women Accountants, and the University of Illinois at Chicago’s Alumni Association, College of Medicine and School of Public Health.

Mitchell graduated from the University of Illinois at Chicago with bachelor’s degrees in accounting and management in 1993. She earned a master’s degree in public administration from the same institution in 2004.

Finally, Joe Peters will work as legislative correspondent in the office. He previously worked as special police officer at the National Museum of American History.

Peters earned a degree in criminal justice from Gibbs College.

Submit Hill Climbers updates here
.