Matt Lira has been named a senior adviser in the leadership office of Rep. Eric Cantor, R-Va. He was director of new media for the office, and as digital director for vice presidential nominee Rep. Paul D. Ryan, R-Wis. for the Romney-Ryan campaign. He also held that same position for the office of the Republican whip during the 111th Congress, and for the chief deputy whip in the 110th. Lira also has worked as a creative media specialist at the House Republican Conference. He served as a field representative and worked in the eCampaign division at the Republican National Committee.

Mark Zalubas has been appointed vice president of solutions engineering at Merlin International, a government information technology company. Zalubas is the chief technical officer of information technology company Avise Solutions. He also has worked at Merlin International as chief technology officer and as the company’s chief architect.

Barrett Karr has been hired as a principal in the global external affairs group at the Carlyle Group, a lobbying and private equity firm. Karr was the Republican staff director of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce. She has served in the White House as deputy assistant for legislative affairs to President George W. Bush. She also has worked as chief of staff for Rep. Kay Granger, R-Texas.

The following people have been hired at Fish & Richardson:

Daniel Gopenko has been hired as an associate in the litigation group. Gopenko was a judicial intern for appeals court Judge Randall R. Rader. He has also worked as a judicial intern for federal claims court Judge Susan G. Braden.

Christopher Ma has been hired as an associate in the patent group.

Jonathan Schlaifer has also been hired as an associate in the patent group. Schlaifer was a patent examiner at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

Samuel Thompson been hired as an associate in the litigation group. Thompson was a summer associate at the firm. He has also worked as a legal extern for the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

Francesca Buss has been hired as manager of business development and corporate relations at the Association of the U.S. Navy. Buss was an international security research analyst and event planning intern at the Brent Scowcroft Center on International Security at The Atlantic Council. She also has worked as a translator intern at INTERPOL. Buss was an intern to former Rep. Thomas M. Davis III, R-Va.

Ashley Kilgore has been hired as manager of communications and public relations at the Association of the U.S. Navy. Kilgore was a communications manager and communications specialist at the U.S. Naval Academy Alumni Association.

Charles E. Symington Jr. has been promoted to senior vice president of external affairs at the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America. He was senior vice president of government affairs. He also has served as senior counsel to the Republican staff of the House Financial Services Committee.