Top 10ish Staff Assistants
From greeting guests with a smile, to answering endless phone calls and emails, to giving stellar Hill tours, a good Staff Assistant is the glue that holds an office together. Oftentimes, this hard work goes unnoticed, so we want to take a moment to recognize some Staff Assistants who go above and beyond.
Check out CNCT Readers’ choices for the Top Ten Staff Assistants on the Hill in 2024…
Steven Buitron started on the Hill as an intern and now works as a Staff Assistant for Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman of New Jersey. One of Steven’s co-workers writes, “Steven is an extraordinary employee of the Congresswoman’s office. On a daily basis, he exemplifies joy, optimism, and a desire to uplift those around him. He is never one to back down from helping a colleague out and is always with a positive attitude and grateful demeanor.” Steven graduated from Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi with a Bachelor's in Political Science and Government. Shoutout to Steven!
Shelby Johnson is described as organized, professional, cheerful, and she’s the Deputy Scheduler and Assistant to the Chief of Staff in Sen. Mike Lee’s office. Prior to her promotion, Shelby started on the Hill as a Legislative Intern, then Staff Assistant. Shelby attended Baylor University where she majored in Political Science and minored in Economics and Legal Reasoning & Analysis. One of Shelby’s many nominators shares: “Shelby keeps Senator Lee's office running. She handles everything from tour scheduling, to event planning, to the deputy scheduling role. Shelby ensures that every person who steps into Senator Lee's office has a fabulous experience. She really is the best in the business!”
Lily Fortsch is a proactive and organized Staff Assistant from the office of Rep. Matt Cartwright. Having graduated from the College of William and Mary and completed several internships, including a position at state level in the Virginia House of Delegates, Lily is ready to tackle her career on the Hill. One of Lily’s peers writes: “Lily is hands-down the best Staff Assistant on Capitol Hill. [She] goes above and beyond to ensure the office runs smoothly and efficiently. [She is] proactive in all her work and highly, HIGHLY organized!”
Justin Pavonarius, a Staff Assistant for Rep. Nick Langworthy, is always there to lend a helping hand. Justin is a graduate of Penn State University, where he studied Political Science and Government. After graduating in May of 2023, Justin joined Rep. Langworthy’s team in August of 2023. Since then, he has become what his peers describe as an “excellent asset to [the] team” who has “always stood out for his dedication and commitment to [the] office.”
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Fana Meles, a Staff Assistant for Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, is described as kind, composed, and committed. Previously, Fana served as an intern in the House and for the Georgia Legislative Black Caucus. She graduated from Georgia State University - Andrew Young School of Policy Studies. Fana’s nominator writes, “Fana goes above and beyond aiding her fellow colleagues and serving the constituents of [Rhode Island]. She does everything with such grace and kindness, no matter the circumstances. Her composure and her commitment to good work is undeniable!”
Austin Broussard is the one to call if you’re looking for someone known for getting work done! Before becoming Staff Assistant for Sen. Bill Cassidy, Austin worked twice as a Hilltern and attended Louisiana State University to study History and Political Science. He also worked as an intern for The Command Group, an international security and intelligence firm. Apart from his solid resume, Austin’s coworker shares, “Austin is an outstanding member of Team Cassidy! He goes above and beyond to assist the Senator and staff, is the first one in the office every morning, is kind to guests, and always gets work done quickly and correctly. He keeps the wheels turning and we appreciate him!”
Lalah Williams, a graduate from Chatham University, is one of two highly regarded Staff Assistants for Sen. John Fetterman. Lalah’s co-worker shares, “She has continued to serve the office and constituency in every way possible for almost two years now. From hiring and training every intern class, to managing the front office by herself while handling incoming guests, [to] assisting all members of staff tirelessly, she is the embodiment of a phenomenal, selfless staff assistant.”
Dominick Giannini is a University of Pittsburgh at Bradford grad who is currently attending the American University School of International Service, receiving a Masters of International Affairs, Global Governance, Politics, and Security this spring. Here’s what Dominick’s peers have to say about him: “Dominick is a tremendous Staff Assistant that truly does everything possible to best serve the office, constituency, and Senator.”
Alex Asgari, Staff Assistant for Rep. Andy Harris, is a great connection to grab a coffee with! Alex is a graduate from the University of Oregon, where he double majored in Political Science & Government and General Social Sciences. Before starting on the Hill, Alex worked as an intern and Legislative Assistant for the Oregon House of Representatives and as a News Intern at The Daily Caller. Alex’s coworkers have glowing testimonies, stating: “Alex is always looking for ways to help others around him and creating a good culture on Capitol Hill … He is always down to get coffee and make meaningful connections with others on the hill.”
Princess Akinwunmi is a Staff Assistant for Sen. Cory Booker. Previously, Princess worked as an intern in the House and for the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation. She is a graduate of Seton Hall University where she majored in Criminal Justice. Mentioning her positive attitude, poise, and calm, Princess’ coworker shares, “ … [She] also goes above and beyond to support her colleagues and extend kindness to others. Firsthand, I have seen Princess consistently putting others before herself, helping her other staff assistants with their professional challenges, and constantly trying to lift others up around her.”
Jack Cline, part two of this SA duo, completed an internship with the Senate and worked as an editor for a podcast that specialized in history discussions. Jack attended Furman University, receiving a degree in History.
Will Lynch is a University of Maryland grad who started his Congressional career a little different than most… In 2022, Will started as a Caddie at the Congressional Country Club in Bethesda, MD before joining Sen. Shelley Moore Capito as Staff Assistant.