Longtime Miller Aide Retires. Carol Hatch, who has been working for Rep. George Miller (D-Calif.) for almost 30 years, will retire at the end of the year.

Hatch began working for Miller in 1975, when he was first elected to Congress with the Watergate Class of 1974. In 1980, she was promoted to chief caseworker and continued her work as an adviser regarding local family services.

In 1986 she was elevated to deputy district director, and just last year she was promoted to district director, the top position in Miller’s California offices.

Hatch is a lifetime resident of Martinez, Calif., a town in Miller’s district. She and the Congressman also attended the same high school, Alhambra High School.

In a press release announcing the retirement, Miller said he owes Hatch “an enormous debt of gratitude for her years of public service, her counsel, and her friendship.”

Barbara Johnson is taking over for Hatch as district director. Johnson

worked for Miller from 1987 to 1999 as a constituent advocate and community liaison, focusing on members of the military and their families, as well as members of the faith-based communities.

In 1999, Johnson moved to Minneapolis to serve as a constituent advocate for then-Rep. Bruce Vento (D-Minn.). Upon the Congressman’s death in 2000, Johnson moved to the office of Sen. Mark Dayton (D-Minn.) to work as director of Minnesota services.

Born in San Francisco and raised in San Carlos, Calif., Johnson attended the College of Notre Dame in Belmont, Calif., and San Jose State University.

[IMGCAP(1)]Diaz-Balart Staff Changes. Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart (R-Fla.) has promoted one staffer and hired another as the term draws to a close.

Lauren Robitaille, 22, has been promoted from staff assistant to legislative correspondent. Robitaille began in the office as an intern and has moved her way up the ranks. Her new duties will include handling constituent mail and helping the Congressman with health care, labor, science and education legislation.

Robitaille is a native of Stuart, Fla., and attended the University of Florida in Gainesville. She graduated in 2003 with a bachelor’s in political science and a minor in business administration, with a certificate in international relations.

Miguel Mendoza, 23, has been hired as a staff assistant to replace Robitaille. He will coordinate interns and constituent tours and will assist other staffers with research when they need help.

Mendoza is another graduate of the University of Florida, having received his bachelor’s in political science earlier this year. Before joining Diaz-Balart’s office, he interned with Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-Fla.).