(Washington, DC)  --  Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz announced today the appointment of Florida native Tracie Pough to the position of Washington Chief of Staff.

 Ms. Pough, a fourth generation Floridian, was born and raised in Jacksonville.  She completed her undergraduate studies at Rollins College and holds a Master degree in Public Administration and Policy from Florida State University.

Pough worked in Florida state government for seven years - serving in positions with the Florida Legislature and Florida Department of Juvenile Justice.  It was in her role as Sr. Legislative Analyst with the Florida House Democratic Leader where she first worked with Debbie Wasserman Schultz, who at the time was the House Democratic Whip.

Pough moved to Washington, DC in 2000 to work as the Southeast Regional Director and later State Network Director for the Center for Policy Alternatives -a non-partisan Progressive think-tank that provides public policy information and leadership training to state legislators.

In 2002, Ms. Pough became the Base Vote Director of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC), overseeing the entire national outreach operation to African-American and Hispanic voters in the important mid-term Congressional elections of 2002.  Pough's work at the DCCC caught the eye of then House Democratic Whip, Nancy Pelosi, who in 2003 recruited Pough to join her Leadership team as a key advisor on education, budget and African American outreach.

"Tracie's extensive experience in state and federal government combined with her deep roots in Florida make her a great asset for my office and to the people of Florida's 20th Congressional District, whom I serve," said Rep. Wasserman Schultz. "I was impressed with Tracie's knowledge and professionalism when I first met her in the Florida House of Representatives seven years ago.  It is with great enthusiasm that I welcome her to my office as my Washington Chief of Staff."

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