WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation Vice Chairman Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) today announced the promotion of four Full Committee staff members and the hiring of three new staffers:

 

Ken Nahigian was promoted from Chief Counsel to Deputy Staff Director and Chief Counsel for the Full Committee.  His responsibilities include, among others, the nominations process, oversight of issues pertaining to domestic trade, amateur and professional sports, consumer protection and privacy, and management of the Committees legislative mark ups.  He previously served as Senior Counsel to the former Commerce Committee Chairman John McCain (R-AZ), during which time he worked to oversee the Federal Trade Commission, Consumer Product Safety Commission, and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.  Prior to his tenure with Commerce Committee, Nahigian worked as an attorney in the Issues and Appeals Division of the law firm Jones Day, and subsequently, as Senior Law Clerk to the Honorable Donald Ivers on the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims.  Nahigian is a native of Cleveland, Ohio; he is married and has two children.  He is a graduate of Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, and Capital Law School in Columbus, Ohio. 

 

Paul Nagle has been promoted to Senior Counsel for the Full Committee.  Nagle joined the Committee in March of 2005 as Counsel, primarily focusing on communications and Internet issues. He will remain active in these areas.  Prior to joining the Committee, he worked at the Federal Communications Commission as an Attorney-Advisor.  Nagle began his legal career at the Washington, D.C. law firm of Wilkinson Barker Knauer, LLP in 1999.  He received his undergraduate degree from the University of Maryland and earned his law degree at Catholic University, where he received his certificate from the Institute for Communications Law Studies. 

 

Chris Bertram has been promoted to Senior Budget Advisor and Professional Staff Member for Aviation.  He previously served as the Staff Director for the Subcommittee on Surface Transportation and Merchant Marine. Prior to joining the Commerce Committee, he was the Assistant Administrator for Financial Services and Chief Financial Officer for the Federal Aviation Administration.  Bertram has also served as a senior aide with the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the U.S. House of Representatives.  He has also served in various capacities with the White House Office of Management and Budget and in the United States Department of Transportation.  Bertram has a master’s degree from Harvard University and a bachelor’s degree from Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas.

 

Brian Eaton was promoted to Press Secretary.  He graduated from the Pennsylvania State University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism and minors in Sociology and History in April 2006.  Eaton joined the Committee as Press Assistant in June 2006.  He previously held an internship with Senator Arlen Specter’s office and is a graduate of the Washington Scholars Program.

 

Elizabeth McDonnell joined the Committee as Professional Staff Member for Surface Transportation and Merchant Marine Infrastructure.  She previously worked for Senator Gordon Smith (R-Ore.) for six years handling various issues including international trade and maritime.

 

Michael Conathan joined the Committee as Professional Staff Member for Oceans, Atmosphere, Fisheries, and the Coast Guard in February.  He completed his Masters in Marine Affairs at the University of Rhode Island in December 2005, and served most recently as a Sea Grant Fellow with the Commerce Committee from 2006-2007.  Before getting his graduate degree, he worked in publishing, journalism, and as a television screenwriter.  He also worked for the Williams College/Mystic Seaport Maritime Studies program. 

 

Peter Phipps has been hired as Professional Staff Member for Consumer Affairs, Insurance and Automotive Safety and will begin on April 1, 2007.  He received his International Relations & Political Science degree from Syracuse University in 1985.  Phipps previously worked for Senator John Sununu (R-N.H.) as a Legislative Assistant for Agriculture, Election Law, Energy, Environment, and Transportation.  He is married and has three children.