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Simpson Staff Shift

Simpson Staff Shift. Rep. Mike Simpson (R-Idaho) announced early this month the hiring of Legislative Assistant Josh Heird, who will handle agriculture, energy, and environment and natural resources issues for the Congressman.

Heird, who grew up in Colorado, came to Simpson’s office from Sen. Wayne Allard’s (R-Colo.) office, where he served as deputy legislative assistant in charge of public lands, natural resources, American Indian affairs and agriculture.

“I’m thrilled to have Josh on staff,” Simpson said in a statement. “The knowledge that he brings with him from Senator Allard’s office is going to be a huge benefit to all Idahoans.”

Heird is a graduate of Mississippi College in Jackson.

Pombo Picks Posse. With eight [IMGCAP(1)] staff changes in the past two months, Rep. Richard Pombo (R-Calif.) has overhauled his office for the new year.

Former Legislative Director Jessica Carter has been appointed Pombo’s new chief of staff. Carter, 32, is now in charge of both the Washington office and the Congressman’s regional office. A native of La Habra Heights, Calif., Carter holds an MBA from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s from California State University at Fullerton.

Taking over legislative director duties is Marla Sousa. Sousa, 26, has been with Pombo since 1999, when she started as an intern. A California native, Sousa earned a bachelor’s in agricultural economics from California State University at Fresno.

Lindsay Doll, 25, has been named Pombo’s executive assistant. Doll, who is now in charge of managing the Congressman’s personal office and the Resources Committee, previously worked for California Assemblyman Anthony Pescetti (R).

A native of Lodi, Calif., Doll graduated from California Polytechnic University at San Luis Obispo.

Pombo’s new spinner is Press Secretary Nicole Taylor. A former staff assistant for Sen. Gordon Smith (R-Ore.) and intern for Rep. Christopher Cox (R-Calif.), Taylor was a media relations associate at the Heritage Foundation before joining Pombo’s staff.

Taylor, 26, hails from Huntington Beach, Calif., and holds a bachelor’s in journalism and communication from the University of Oregon.

Taking over the position of senior legislative assistant addressing foreign policy, defense, tax, education, energy and water issues is Todd Smith. Prior to his

work with Pombo, Smith, 25, was a legislative correspondent for Sen. Jon Kyl (R-Ariz.). Smith, whose hometown is Stockton, Calif., holds a bachelor’s in political science from the University of California at Los Angeles.

Kenneth Ward, 23, has been promoted to legislative assistant focusing on health care, homeland security, immigration and Social Security. Ward joined the Pombo team in 2002 as a staff assistant. The Newport Beach, Calif., native holds a bachelor’s from Georgetown University.

Taking on the role of legislative correspondent for Pombo is Aaron Cutler. Cutler, 27, handles constituent mail operations in the Washington office. Hailing from Atherton, Calif., Cutler graduated from the University of Colorado at Boulder with a degree in biology.

Pombo finished off his staff hirings by picking up Michael DeFilippis, 23, as his new staff assistant. A Highland Park, Ill., native, DeFilippis graduated from Marquette University in Milwaukee.

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