WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) today announced senior staff appointments for her U.S. Senate office, including the hiring of Ashley Berrang as Communications Director.

“I’m very proud of the team we have put together. This extremely talented group is committed to serving West Virginians and taking on the challenges facing our state,” said Capito. “The wealth of knowledge and experience each member of this team brings to the table will serve West Virginia well.”

 

Senior staff appointments:

 

Joel Brubaker – Chief of Staff

Joel Brubaker has served as Sen. Capito’s Chief of Staff since 2005. He previously worked for two other Members of Congress. Joel graduated from Gettysburg College and holds an MBA from American University. 

 

Ashley Berrang – Communications Director

Ashley Berrang serves as Vice President of Communications at the Bipartisan Policy Center, a think tank founded by former Senate Majority Leaders Howard Baker, Tom Daschle, Bob Dole and George Mitchell. She joins Sen. Capito’s staff in February after more than six years at the Bipartisan Policy Center. Ashley is a graduate of the University of California, Berkeley and began her career in Washington working for a bipartisan government relations and public affairs firm.

 

Amy Graham - Deputy Communications Director

Amy Graham most recently led communications for Sen. Capito’s campaign. She previously worked for a Member of Congress, Mitt Romney's 2012 presidential campaign, and Florida Governors Rick Scott and Jeb Bush. Amy attended Florida State University and has a master’s in Applied American Politics and Policy. 

 

Adam Tomlinson – Legislative Director

Adam Tomlinson is a native of Cross Lanes, W.Va. He previously served as Sen. Capito’s Legislative Director in the House of Representatives and as an associate at Steptoe & Johnson. He holds a bachelor’s from American University, and a law degree from West Virginia University, where he was managing editor of the West Virginia Law Review. 

 

Jan Brunner – Senior Energy Policy Advisor
Jan Brunner is a native of Bluefield, W.Va. She previously served as Senior Counsel for Fossil Energy on the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, and as Senior Energy Advisor for Sen. Joe Manchin. She is a graduate of Trinity College, has a master’s degree from the University of Leeds, where she studied as a Fulbright scholar, and holds a law degree from the University of Virginia

 

J.T. Jezierski - Legislative Assistant

J.T. Jezierski is a native of Weirton, W.Va. and a graduate of Wheeling-Jesuit University. He previously worked for Reps. David McKinley (WV-1) and Evan Jenkins (WV-3). He served in the Bush Administration at the White House Office of Presidential Personnel, and for NASA.  JT also worked on Mitt Romney’s 2008 and 2012 campaigns. He has a master’s from Regent University.

 

Victoria Weaver - Legislative Assistant

Victoria Weaver is a native of Philippi, W.Va. and spent four years working for Sen. Capito in the House of Representatives. She is a graduate of Philip Barbour High School, holds a master’s degree in Public Administration from West Virginia University and a dual bachelor’s in International Affairs and Psychology from Marshall University.

 

Mary Elisabeth Eckerson - State Director

Mary Elisabeth Eckerson is a native of Dunbar, W.Va. and has worked for Sen. Capito since 2007 as district director. She previously spent 16 years as Communications Manager at the West Virginia Housing Development Fund.  She has a bachelor’s from Hollins University and a master’s in Communication Studies from West Virginia University.

 

Aaron Sporck - Director of Economic Development

Aaron Sporck is a native of Charleston, W.Va. Aaron is based in Charleston and is responsible for identifying economic opportunities in W.Va. He has worked for Sen. Capito for 14 years, most recently as Deputy Chief of Staff in the House of Representatives.  He has a bachelor’s degree from Furman University and an MBA from the University of Maryland.

 

Lauren Russell - Director of Scheduling

Lauren Russell is Sen. Capito’s Director of Scheduling.  She graduated from the College of William and Mary with a degree in Government.  She served as Sen. Capito’s Scheduler in the House of Representatives and previously worked for two other Members of Congress. 

 

Jim Durrett - Director of Operations

Jim Durrett has worked in the United States Senate for nine years. He previously worked for two other Senators and the Secretary of the Senate. Jim is a graduate of Austin Peay State University where he earned a degree in Political Science.

 

 

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