Top 10 Staff Assistants
While at the bottom of the totem poll, a Staff Assistant plays an integral role in an office. We’re here to spotlight the Hill’s Top Staff Assistant, nominated by their peers. Judging by how many nominations we had, offices hold their SA’s in very high esteem!
Meet CNCT's Top 10 Staff Assistants on the Hill…
When you walk into Rep. Bean’s office, you get a reprieve from the hustle and bustle of the Hill. Interns, constituents, new hires — Giancarlo makes them all feel at home. His colleagues say he "warmly welcomes constituents and new interns alike, making everyone who walks through the office doors feel like they are a part of the Bean Team." Patient, efficient, and consistently upbeat, Giancarlo is the kind of staffer who makes the whole office run better just by showing up.
Jay Mehta is what his colleagues call "Mr. Reliable" and he's earned the title. Whether it's making sure interns feel fulfilled or stepping up during the height of appropriations season, Jay consistently goes above and beyond in every detail. He also has an uncanny ability to spot things that have been quietly languishing on the backburner and somehow get them done within 24 hours. "He is a rockstar," one nominator writes, "and I cannot recommend him enough."
Mina Youssef is the kind of Staff Assistant every office wishes they had — and Team Husted knows it. He keeps the front office humming, handles constituent interactions with professionalism, and picks up slack without needing to be asked. What sets him apart isn't just his competence, it's his disposition. "He takes the job seriously without taking himself too seriously," one nominator writes. "He's reliable, easy to work with, and brings real energy to the office on days when everyone else is running on fumes."
Michelle Gunn doesn't just keep the front office running — she actively makes it better. She maintains a robust intern program, creates an inviting environment from the moment visitors walk in, and consistently anticipates the needs of staff before they're even voiced. Beyond the day-to-day, Michelle invests in herself: attending CAO trainings, pursuing a certificate program, and meeting regularly with leadership to identify ways to keep growing.
Shelby Raber is, by just about every account, the cornerstone of Sen. Cramer's office. She's great with constituents, a natural with interns, and manages a mountain of tasks that keep day-to-day operations running without a hiccup. As one nominator put it: "She consistently goes above and beyond to support the team with professionalism, positivity, and attention to detail." A new intern summed it up just as well: "Meeting Shelby has improved my experience on the Hill."
Niamh Haynos joined a brand-new freshman office and helped form the foundation. She handles Staff Assistant duties, intern coordination, a full legislative portfolio, and oversight of a fellow — simultaneously, and without dropping a ball. "Niamh built all of our processes and our office is a well-oiled machine now because of her," one nominator writes, calling her the best SA they've worked with in a decade on the Hill. Her colleagues point to the same quality again and again: she anticipates challenges before they happen, and she always has a solution ready. The office doesn't worry — because Niamh has it handled.
If you've heard the term "Reaganing" — the 30 Rock concept of excelling at literally everything you do — Will Furtkamp is the Hill's best real-life example. From Capitol tours to intern training to constituent meet-and-greets, Will brings confidence and warmth to every corner of Bergman's office. "His skill in networking and helping interns find their passions is unmatched by any other Staff Assistant on the Hill," one nominator writes. Another called him simply "the greatest Staff Assistant on the Hill." His nominations came from offices across the Hill — which says a lot about how a great Staff Assistant affects the broader culture on Capitol Hill.
Connor Kennedy has been in Rep. Evans' office for about eight months, and in that time, he's made himself completely indispensable. "He has brightened the office in ways I could never have imagined," one colleague writes. "Kind, loyal, and hilarious" are the words that kept coming up throughout his nominations. With Rep. Evans retiring, Connor's next office will be lucky to have him — and more than one person said so explicitly. "I am jealous of all his future coworkers."
Will Lane is the first one in and often the last one out — not because it's required, but because he genuinely cares. At a committee office where the staff is larger, the topics are complex, and the pace is relentless, Will is the steady constant. "I genuinely don't know how Will does it," one nominator writes. "He's the first person people turn to when they need help, the last person to seek credit, and somehow the coolest guy in the room the entire time." His colleagues describe his bandwidth as seemingly endless, his smile as infectious, and his passion for the work as the kind that rubs off on everyone around him.
Working on a committee comes with its own unique demands — you're serving more staffers and multiple Members. Reagan Feld navigates it effortlessly, and the people around her notice. She's been called the "greatest staff assistant of all time," and a rare staffer who's genuinely embraced by majority and minority staff alike. "Who else but Reagan could invite staff from both sides and have them all show up at her birthday happy hour — and have them stay and have fun?" one nominator wrote. She's reliable, detail-oriented, and brings infectious energy to every room. On Capitol Hill partisanship is always nearby, Reagan makes it a non-issue.