Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) has wielded his Majority Leader wand and promoted Alejandro Perez from deputy floor director to floor director.

[IMGCAP(1)]Perez will replace Rob Cogorno, who recently announced his retirement after 25 years as a House aide.

“I am extremely pleased that Alejandro has accepted this offer to become the new floor director — a critical position,” Hoyer said in a statement. “I know he will do a wonderful job and ensure a seamless transition as Rob departs.”

Perez joined Hoyer’s staff in January 2003 and before that served as the executive director of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus. He earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas in

1995 and a master’s degree from Syracuse University in 2003. He also studied in Spain, where he focused on U.S.-Spanish relations.

Perez, 35, is from McAllen, Texas.

Perez’s promotion left an opening for Alexis Covey-Brandt to climb from deputy director of member services and floor assistant to Perez’s former position as deputy floor director. Hoyer said he is thrilled to move her up.

“Throughout her five years in my office, Alexis has continually demonstrated her competence and capabilities across a range of responsibilities,” Hoyer said. “Alexis is a tireless worker.”

Like Perez, Covey-Brandt joined Hoyer’s staff in January 2003, the year Hoyer began his first term as Democratic Whip. Prior to that, Covey-Brandt taught second grade. She is a native of Bethesda, Md., and is 28.

[IMGCAP(2)]Covey-Brandt earned a bachelor’s degree from Haverford College in 2001. Her coursework centered on anthropology and African studies. She also studied at the University of Ghana near Accra, and she wrote her senior thesis on “Images of Africa in the American Classroom.”

Returning to the Hill. Leslie Woolley is the new chief of staff for Rep. Emanuel Cleaver (D-Mo.). She comes to the office from the Conference of State Bank Supervisors, where she was the vice president for international and Congressional relations.

“I had an opportunity to come to the Hill and do something that I hadn’t done before, so I was interested in the challenge,” Woolley said.

Though her most recent job was not on the Hill, Woolley has eight years of experience in the House and 12 years of experience in the Senate. She also worked in the Clinton administration for four years. She earned her bachelor’s and Master of Business Administration degrees from Oklahoma State University.

Woolley is from Ada, Okla. She and her husband, Doyle Bartlett, have two children. Woolley is active with Women in Housing & Finance, a D.C. organization.

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