Sen. Coleman names chief of staff’ other changes follow

“I’ve been fortunate to have his skills and talents,” said Coleman. “His organizational skills, understanding of public policy and enthusiasm for getting things done are important assets that I depend upon for my Senate office.”

• John Denning, formerly the administrative director, will serve as the deputy chief of staff.

• Lucia Lebens has been promoted to administrative director.

• Ben Anderson has been promoted to legislative assistant.

• Andrew Siracuse has been hired as legislative assistant.

• Andy Brehm has been elevated to press secretary.

• Amy Gibbs will serve as the executive assistant.

• Alicia Long will be the scheduler.

• Lisa Lyttle will join the Washington office.

• Antonio Williams will be a legislative correspondent.

Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) has announced two new hires: George Lowe will serve as her new chief of staff, and Isaac Edwards will be the new legislative director.

Lowe served as legislative director for Sen. Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) most recently. Before assuming that post, he worked as a legislative counsel, a legislative assistant and a legislative correspondent for Stevens.

His responsibilities included handling issues such as terrorism, natural resources, the judiciary and veterans and foreign affairs, as well as amateur sports and Olympic issues.

Before his service in Washington, Lowe was an assistant sergeant at arms for the Alaska state Senate.

Having earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Oregon, Lowe attended law school at the University of San Diego, graduating in 2000. Lowe is a member of the Alaska Bar.

Edwards will help create Murkowski’s legislative policy. He has worked as a legislative assistant specializing in international trade, foreign policy and homeland security, as well as in immigration and international aviation issues. In addition, he has served as a legislative correspondent and staff assistant to former Alaska Sen. Frank Murkowski (R).

Edwards is working toward a law degree from George Mason University with a focus on international trade law. Born in Homer, Alaska, he graduated from Homer High School in 1992 and received a bachelor’s degree in political science from California Lutheran University in 1997.

Rep. Jane Harman (D-Calif.) has named Risa Heller to be her new communications director. Heller is a former associate of Rabinowitz Media Strategies, a Washington media consulting and public-affairs firm.

Prior to joining the firm, Heller worked for the Hadassah Washington Action Office as a legislative assistant. In that position, she lobbied Congress and the White House on topics including Israel, medical privacy and women’s issues.

Before that, Heller was a legislative assistant for the Anti-Defamation League and compiled and edited a nationwide publication on hate crimes.

Heller graduated from the University of Michigan with a bachelor’s degree in psychology, Hebrew and Jewish cultural studies. She was born in West Bloomfield, Mich.