David Schwietert has been hired as the Republican staff director for the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee. Schwietert was the legislative director for Sen. John Thune, R-S.D. He has worked as director of environment, federal markets and procurement for the Associated General Contractors of America, a construction industry trade group. He also has worked as the AGC’s legislative director.

Brendon Plack has been hired as legislative director for Thune. Plack was the policy director for the Senate Republican Conference. He has worked as a policy analyst for the Senate Republican Policy Committee. He has also worked as a legislative assistant for Thune.

Scott Hoeflich has been hired as a senior vice president at RLM Finsbury, a communications firm. Hoeflich was a senior associate at IKON Public Affairs, a lobbying firm. He has worked as chief of staff for former Sen. Arlen Specter, R-Pa. He also has worked for Specter as communications director and as an intern.

Manuel Bonilla has been promoted to chief advocacy officer for the American Society of Anesthesiologists. Bonilla was the director for congressional and political affairs. He has worked at the ASA as a federal affairs coordinator. He has also worked as a legislative representative for the American Academy of Ophthalmology.

Stephanie Waties has been promoted to account executive at Widmeyer Communications. Waties was a communications fellow. She has worked as a communications fellow at the Partnership for Public Service. She also has worked as a programs intern at the University of Virginia’s Center for Politics.

John Hughes has joined the joined government affairs practice at communications and lobbying firm Glover Park Group as a senior vice president. Hughes was a senior policy adviser in the leadership office of Rep. Steny H. Hoyer, D-Md. He has worked as counsel for the Democratic staff of the House Financial Services Committee. He has also worked as managing director of tax advocacy at the National Council of State Housing Agencies.

Debbie Matties has been hired as vice president of privacy at trade group CTIA-The Wireless Association. Matties was a senior attorney adviser for consumer protection to former Federal Trade Commission Chairman Jon Leibowitz. She has worked as a staff attorney at the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection. She has also worked as an associate at law and lobbying firm Covington & Burling.

Melissa Ryan has been hired as the Digital Director at EMILY’s List, a Democratic advocacy group. Ryan worked in blog and progressive media outreach for President Obama’s 2012 re-election campaign. She has worked as the new media director at the New Organizing Institute, a political organization group. She has also worked as the new media director for the 2010 re-election campaign of former Sen. Russell Feingold, D-Wis.

Anne Marie Polak has been hired as a vice president on the health and biosciences group at FaegreBD, a law and lobbying firm. Polak was a senior associate in the health care practice at lobbying firm the Podesta Group. She has worked as a government affairs intern at Novo Nordisk Government Affairs. She also has worked as a legislative correspondent for former Rep. Mike Ferguson, R-N.J.