| Clyburn Announces Whip Staff
January 10, 2007
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WASHINGTON, DC—House Majority Whip James E. Clyburn today announced the staff he has selected to serve in his leadership office in the 110th Congress.
“I worked hard in the short period of time between the election and the start of the new Congress to form a strong and well-seasoned team that will help me and the Democratic leadership advance an agenda that meets the needs of the American people,” said Clyburn. “I am proud of the diversity and talent of my staff. I plan to draw upon the broad knowledge and experience of this group as we work to restore the trust of the American people in the Congress, improve access to higher education, make health care more affordable, strengthen security for Americans at home and abroad, and increase investment in renewable, home-grown biofuel.”
Following are the staff for the Office of the Majority Whip for the 110th Congress:
Yelberton “Yebbie” Watkins, Chief of Staff—Yelberton joined Congressman Clyburn's staff the day the Congressman was first sworn into office, January 5, 1993. Starting as an L.A., he became Chief of Staff a year later. He will serve as Chief of Staff for day to day operations of both the Majority Whip and Congressional offices. Yelberton got his start on the Hill on the staff of former North Carolina Senator Terry Sanford. A native of Columbia, SC, he is a graduate of Duke University and Georgetown Law School.
FLOOR OPERATIONS:
Jaime Harrison, Director of Floor Operations and Counsel—Jaime, an Orangeburg, South Carolina native, is a graduate of Yale University and Georgetown University Law Center. This former intern to Congressman Clyburn has served on the Congressional staff since 2002. Before joining Congressman Clyburn's office, Jaime served as Chief Operations Officer for the national education based non-profit, College Summit. At age 29, Jaime was one of the youngest and the first African-Americans to serve as Executive Director of the House Democratic Caucus. As the Director of Floor Operations and Counsel, Jaime will oversee all floor activities for the Majority Whip.
Matt Gelman, Senior Advisor—Matt has taken an unpaid leave of absence from Microsoft where he served as the Director of Federal Government Affairs. Before joining Microsoft in May of 2002, Matt worked for three years as a Principal at PodestaMattoon. Prior to that, Matt worked for ten years on the House Democratic leadership staff. Matt served for eight years as a Floor Assistant to House Majority and Minority Whip David Bonior (D-MI) and two years as a Special Assistant to House Majority Leader Richard Gephardt (D-MO). As is customary, the House Ethics Committee approved Mr. Gelman's appointment prior to joining the staff of Majority House Whip Clyburn.
Allie Neill, Deputy Floor Director—Allie, a native of Dallas, Texas, served as Director of Member Services for the Democratic Caucus under Congressman Clyburn’s Leadership. Allie also served as Director of Member Services for the Caucus under the leadership of Congressman Bob Menendez, and on the policy team for the Caucus under the direction of Congressman Martin Frost.
Jonathan D. “Jon” Samuels, Deputy Floor Director—Prior to joining the whip team, Jon Samuels, a native of Evanston, Illinois, was Deputy Chief of Staff and Communications Director to Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky (IL-09), a Chief Deputy Whip. Prior to joining Congresswoman Schakowsky’s congressional staff, Jon worked as field director for Congresswoman Schakowsky’s first congressional campaign. Jon received his B.A. from Michigan State University in 1997.
Todd Metcalf, Deputy Floor Director—Prior to joining the whip staff, J. Todd Metcalf, a native of Sparta, Tennessee, served as Legislative Director to U.S. Representative William J. Jefferson (LA-02). Before joining the staff of Congressman Jefferson, Todd served as Legislative Director and Floor Assistant to U.S. Representative Max A. Sandlin (TX-01). Before he came to the Hill in February 2003, Todd practiced law for almost six years in Washington, DC. Todd graduated summa cum laude with a B.A. in political science, history and philosophy from the University of Tennessee in 1993. He received his legal training at Washington University School of Law in St. Louis and graduated magna cum laude in 1996.
Adam Arguelles, Floor Assistant—Adam is a native of Westford, Massachusetts. Since May of 2006 Adam worked in the House Democratic Caucus under Chairman Clyburn. He graduated from the School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University in May 2006.
COMMUNICATIONS:
Kristie Greco, Communications Director—Kristie served as Communications Director for the House Democratic Caucus under the Chairmanship of Congressman Clyburn. Prior to joining the Caucus staff, she worked as Communications Director for U.S. Rep. Peter DeFazio (OR-04) and as legislative staffer for U.S. Rep. Tim Holden (PA-17). Kristie, a graduate of Villanova University, is a native of Springfield, VA.
Tomica Burke, Communications Assistant—Tomica is a native of Queens, New York. Since June of 2005, Tomica worked in the House Democratic Caucus under Chairmen Menendez and Clyburn. She graduated from the University of Virginia in May 2005.
POLICY AND RESEARCH:
Aranthan Jones “AJ,” Director of Policy and Research— Prior to joining the Majority Whip’s office, Aranthan S. Jones II, “AJ,” served as Chief of Staff for Congressman William Jefferson (LA-02). AJ started his congressional career in 2001, serving as Health Policy Director for the Congressional Black Caucus. AJ was also a lead health advisor for the Congressional Tri-Caucuses. Prior to his work on the Hill, AJ worked internationally in Nigeria, South Africa, and France on HIV/AIDS and healthcare globalization.
Alex Silbey, Senior Policy Advisor—Alex Silbey, a native of Washington, DC, graduated with a degree in Accounting from Syracuse University. He began his congressional career with Congressman Steve Israel (NY-02). Alex also worked for U.S. Rep. Mike Doyle (PA-14), U.S. Rep. Frank Ballance (NC-01) and most recently Alex served as Legislative Director for Congressman Ballance’s successor, Congressman G. K. Butterfield (NC-01).
Margaret Cantrell, Policy Advisor—Prior to joining the Office of the House Majority Whip as a Policy Advisor, Margaret Cantrell was an associate at Jones Day in the Trial Practice group. Over the past year, she also worked with the DNC to coordinate Georgia’s 2006 Voter Protection Program. A native of South Carolina, Margaret graduated from Duke University and the University of Virginia, School of Law.
MEMBER SERVICES, SPECIAL PROJECTS AND ADMINISTRATION:
Wendy Hartman, Director of Member Services—Wendy, a native of Annapolis, Maryland, came to Capitol Hill in the Fall of 2002, as Planning Director for then Caucus Chair Bob Menendez. Prior to coming to the Hill, she served as Vice President Gore's Deputy Director of Scheduling and Advance from 1994-1999. She then joined the DNC as the White House Liaison, and after the 2000 election, served in a variety of roles at the DNC until moving over to the Democratic Caucus office. She will continue her primary duty of planning and coordinating special projects.
Lindy Birch, Director of Special Events—Lindy, a Florence, South Carolina native, is a graduate of University of South Carolina and received her Master's while an Ambassadorial Scholar at the University of Leicester, England. She has worked for Congressman Clyburn's Congressional staff her entire professional career, joining the staff in 1993 after working on his first Congressional campaign.
Henrí Thompson, Information Technology Officer—Prior to joining the Office of the Majority Whip Henrí served as a senior internet systems advisor to the United States Congress and as a technology analyst with Harvard University. Henrí also diligently served as an independent information technology consultant to BMW Manufacturing Co., LLC; the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, RLJ Companies and Wachovia Corporation. A native of South Carolina and former candidate for the South Carolina House of Representatives, Henrí is a graduate of the Johns Hopkins University.
Jennie Chaplin, Director of Scheduling—Jennie has worked with Rep. Clyburn for nine years. Born and raised in the district in Charleston, SC, Jennie received her undergraduate degree in English from Columbia College and her Masters degree in English Literature from Howard University.
Harry Godfrey, Staff Assistant—Harry graduated from the College of William and Mary in May 2006 with a B.A. in Economics and International Relations. He subsequently managed two campaigns for Hans Riemer and Chuck Hoskin in, respectively, Montgomery County, Md. and Northeastern Oklahoma. He is a resident of Arlington, VA.
COALITIONS:
Michael Hacker, Director of Coalitions—Michael joins the Whip staff from Quinn Gillespie and Associates. Prior to his work at QGA, Michael worked six years with U.S. Representative John D. Dingell (D-MI) including as Director of Communications. Prior to working for Congressman Dingell, Michael was a special assistant to former Democratic Whip David E. Bonior (D-MI). Michael hails from Mount Clemens, Michigan and is a graduate of the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.
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