Timothy Merritt’s favorite movie is “The Princess Bride.”

“I carry no shame,” he told Climbers.

Merritt is the new scheduler and “intern keeper” for Rep. Gene Green (D-Texas). Merritt worked his way into this position after interning for the Congressman this past fall.

Merritt, 25, is working on a bachelor’s degree in international studies with a focus in international development at the University of North Texas.

His future goals include owning a villa in Antigua, Guatemala. [IMGCAP(1)]

Climbers asked this Dallas native if there was any additional information he would like to see in his write-up.

“Just an accurate portrayal of my awesomeness,” he said. “Thank you.”

Vince Jesaitis is now Green’s legislative director, taking charge of telecommunications, appropriations, labor, trade and defense issues. He started with the Congressman in March 2003 as a staff assistant and then moved up to legislative assistant and senior legislative assistant before taking on his latest role.

“I enjoy working for Congressman Green and with the staff in our office,” said Jesaitis, 29.

Jesaitis is from Brookfield, Mo., and earned a degree in political science from William Jewell College in 2001. His past experience includes working for Rep. Dennis Moore (D-Kan.).

Abigail Pinkele also recently moved within Green’s office. She now is the Congressman’s legislative assistant for health issues. Her favorite blog is Popsugar.com.

“I love a little celebrity gossip with my coffee in the morning,” Pinkele said.

She previously worked as Green’s scheduler and environmental and transportation legislative assistant. She also served as an intern for Rep. Nick Lampson (D-Texas).

Pinkele, 26, originally is from Delaware, Ohio. She earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from DePauw University in 2003 and is working on a master’s degree in political communications at The Johns Hopkins University. She hopes to earn that degree in the next year.

Her political heroes are “Gene Green, of course, then Bill Clinton.” [IMGCAP(2)]

Lindsay Mosshart, 25, has been promoted to legislative assistant in Green’s office as well, after working as his staff assistant and scheduler. Her responsibilities are in the areas of foreign affairs, judiciary, budget, tax policy and education.

Mosshart is from Houston. She double- majored in political science and public policy at Vanderbilt University, earning her degree in 2005. She is working on her Master of Arts in government at The Johns Hopkins University. She will graduate in 2008.

Mosshart said she hopes to continue working in education policy.

Matsui Acquires a Science Expert. Rep. Doris Matsui (D-Calif.) has a new science fellow in the house: Ben Gutman.

Gutman, 33, is from Burlington, Vt. He earned degrees in biology and art from Duke University in 1996, and a Ph.D. from the University of California at Berkeley. His doctorate is in plant biology, and he earned it this year.

He will work on legislation with science components, including water resources and management, health issues, agriculture and the environment.

Gutman has had a montage of past jobs: science editor, librarian, dishwasher and graduate researcher/instructor. But he told Climbers his true claim to fame is that he is a national yo-yo champion.

Kyle Victor is Matsui’s new legislative assistant, taking care of financial services, trade, labor, telecommunications, budget, taxes and education issues.

Victor, 27, is from Wilmington, Del., and has a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a minor in finance from Whittier College. He served in various roles in the office of Sen. Tom Carper (D-Del.) before joining Matsui’s office.

His future goal is to obtain a Master of Business Administration degree.

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