Announcements 09/30

Previously, Tether served as the director of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) and Bruckheim as a technical adviser and key consultant to the DARPA director. Both are respected as leaders in military and project research, said Bob Livingston, founder of the Livingston Group.

{mosads}Homeland Security senior counsel leaves for Maritime Administration: Denise Krepp of the House Committee on Homeland Security is set to leave to become chief counsel for the Maritime Administration. Krepp spent four years with the committee back when Democrats were in the minority, she said. Most recently, she served as senior counsel for the committee and was the principal adviser on maritime security and supply chain issues, including 100 percent scanning of inbound containers and security devices.

“I really enjoyed the connections I made here,” Krepp said. “Working on the SAFE Port Act and the 9/11 act were highlights of the time I spent at the committee.’

Krepp is mother to two young daughters, Megan, 5, and Cason, 1, who think their mother works inside the Capitol all day long. “Megan came in during talks about the SAFE Port Act, and I brought her into meetings with [Reps. Bennie] Thompson [D-Miss.] and [Jim] Oberstar [D-Minn.],” Krepp said.

She also said she enjoyed the challenges and the opportunity to expand while working at the committee.

Wittman’s office hires new staff assistant, promotes deputy press secretary: Gordon Neal, previously an intern for Rep. Rob Wittman’s (R-Va.) office, was recently hired as a staff assistant. A May 2009 graduate of Hampden-Sydney College, he studied political science.

Also, Tom Crosson was recently promoted from deputy press secretary to secretary. He was a special assistant with Wittman’s office and interned at the Subcommittee on Technology and Procurement Policy under the Government Reform Committee. He graduated from Purdue in 2007, majoring in politics and economics.

Capitol Counsel announces new principal to firm: Capitol Counsel announced the addition of Capitol Hill veteran Drew Goesl as a principal to the firm. Before joining Capitol Counsel, Goesl served for three years as chief of staff to Rep. Mike Ross (D-Ark.), where he took care of Ross’s official and political congressional work. He also directed Ross’s leadership responsibilities in the Blue Dog Coalition.

Capitol Counsel is a bipartisan government-relations firm that provides political analysis, strategic advice and advocacy services.

Wright Patman Congressional FCU elects new chairman of the board: James Kaelin will now serve as chairman of the board for the Wright Patman Congressional Federal Credit Union. Kaelin is a replacement for James Molloy, who is stepping down from his position after 37 years. Patricia Nelson Nugent has been elected vice chairwoman, succeeding Carlton Jenkins, who served for 19 years.

Molloy and Jenkins will continue to serve on the board. Kaelin, chief information officer for the Office of the Sergeant at Arms in the House, began his career in the House in 1988, working in the Office of the Doorkeeper. Molloy was the former doorkeeper of the House from 1973-1994 and began his credit-union career in 1972.