With Chief of Staff Chris Jahn leaving to take over as president of the Contract Services Association of America, Sen. Craig Thomas (R-Wyo.) announced last week that longtime staffer Shawn Whitman would take over the top office position.

After graduating from the University of Wyoming, Whitman began his tenure in Thomas’ office in 1995 as a press intern. Over the years, Whitman moved up in the Senator’s legislative shop and became senior legislative assistant in 2001 and legislative director in 2002.

“Shawn has been with me for many years and has proven that he is a strong policy staffer who brings great ideas to the table,” Thomas said in a statement.

Thomas General Counsel Bryn Stewart, who has been with the Senator’s staff since 2001, will now add legislative director to his list of duties. Stewart earned his undergraduate and law degrees from the University of Wyoming.

Spinner Switches. Last week, Rep. Jack Kingston (R-Ga.) announced two top changes in his press shop.

Jennifer Hing, a former aide to Rep Bob Ney (R-Ohio), has been brought aboard as Kingston’s new press secretary to head the Congressman’s D.C. communications operation. The 25-year-old is a native of Tigard, Ore., and graduated from Oregon State University with a degree in political science.

Kingston’s district press secretary, Rob Asbell, will now add communications director to his list of duties. He will continue to handle communications in the Congressman’s home district and will be the primary point of contact for all South Georgia media. Asbell, 39, graduated from Georgia Southern University with a degree in psychology.

Berry Pickings. Arkansas Rep. Marion Berry (D), announced four changes in his Hill office last week.

Erika Krennerich, who has worked in the Congressman’s district office in Jonesboro for three years, has made the leap to Washington as Berry’s new executive assistant and scheduler. Krennerich will also retain her duties handling federal grants for district programs.

The 27-year-old is a graduate of Arkansas State University and holds a bachelor’s degree in marketing and master’s degree in business administration.

Moving up from staff assistant to legislative correspondent/legislative assistant is Lindsay Law, 22. The Hamburg, Ark., native will handle education and telecommunications issues. She is a graduate of the University of Arkansas, where she earned degrees in political science and radio, television and film.

Joining the office as a legislative assistant for agriculture, trade, housing and environmental issues is Nathan Read, 24. Originally from Canada, Read graduated from Lyon College in Batesville, Ark., with a degree in economics. He has previously worked for the Canadian Embassy and for Arkansas Sen. Blanche Lincoln (D).

Also new to Berry’s office is Durwin Lairy, 23. The Little Rock native begins his career as a staff assistant after graduating from Arkansas State University with a degree in human resource management.