Brynn Barnett spent last month getting settled into her new position of press secretary and chief communications adviser to Rep. John McHugh (R-N.Y.). The 29-year-old Barnett comes to Capitol Hill after a four-year stint at Ogilvy Public Relations Worldwide in Washington, where she served as an account director.

During her time at Ogilvy, Barnett managed a number of award-winning public awareness campaigns, such as an effort to reduce childhood drinking and promoting ways for Americans to prevent skin caner.

Before working at Ogilvy, Barnett worked in public relations at nonprofit health care organizations such as the Central Florida Blood Bank. She also managed fundraising efforts for the American Heart Association’s Central Florida region.

The Orlando, Fla., native is a 1995 graduate of the University of Central Florida. She holds a degree in journalism.

Doling out the Climbers. As Sen. Elizabeth Dole’s (R-N.C.) Chief of Staff Frank Hill prepares to say goodbye to the office, one new staffer has been hired and three others have received promotions.

Brian Nick, 28, has moved up from the position of press secretary, which he has held since March, to communications director. The Indianapolis native started working for the Senator in September of 2001 as a deputy campaign manager.

Nick is a 1998 graduate of Furman University and holds a bachelor’s degree in political science.

Taking over as press assistant is for-

mer Legislative Correspondent Katie Norman, 23. Norman will be in charge of writing news releases and managing the Senator’s Web site. She began in the office as a press intern in 2002 and was hired as a special assistant to the Senator this January.

The Lenoir, N.C., native is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she earned a journalism degree in 2002.

Karen Willard, who comes from the Housing and Urban Development Department, is Dole’s new scheduler. A native of Raleigh, N.C., Willard worked for two years for the Republican National Committee. She is also a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and holds a political science degree.

Rounding out Dole’s staff changes is Bethany Pantuck, 24. Pantuck, who has worked for the Senator since March as a special assistant, is now a legislative correspondent handling environmental, education and other issues. The Medfield, Mass., native is a 2002 graduate of James Madison University and holds a degree in journalism.