Sen. Max Baucus (D-Mont.), ranking member of the Senate Finance Committee, announced the hiring of Demetrios Marantis as international trade counsel for the committee’s Democratic staff.

Marantis joins the Finance Committee after working on the Kerry-Edwards presidential campaign as issues director for the former Democratic Senator from North Carolina. Baucus is particularly impressed with Marantis’ area of expertise. “His deep knowledge of Asia will help me continue to focus on that important region of the world,” Baucus said in a statement.

Marantis has 11 years of experience in the realm of international trade law. Past jobs include two years in Southeast Asia as chief legal adviser to the U.S.-Vietnam Trade Counsel and a stint as associate general counsel in the office of the U.S. Trade Representative.

Marantis holds a bachelor’s in public and international affairs from Princeton University and a law degree from Harvard Law School. He will also focus on issues related to the Middle East, the World Trade Organization, trade-in services and U.S. competitiveness for the Finance Committee.

Staff Changes for Brown-Waite. Rep. Ginny Brown-Waite (R-Fla.) has made several changes around her office recently, hiring two new staffers and promoting two veteran aides.

Charlie Keller, 27, comes on board as communications director, a position he previously held for then-Rep. Jack Quinn (R-N.Y.). He has also served as legislative assistant and deputy press secretary for Rep. Lamar Smith (R-Texas) and as deputy communications director for Illinois Lt. Gov. Corinne Wood’s (R) 2002 gubernatorial campaign.

The Kerrville, Texas, native has served in the private sector as well, working as an external affairs representative for the Chicago Federal Home Loan Bank. He graduated from Vanderbilt University in 1999 with a bachelor’s in political science and is currently studying at George Mason University to receive a master’s in business administration.

Amie Woeber, 29, has been promoted from legislative assistant to senior legislative assistant. A two-year veteran of the Brown-Waite office, Woeber has served a number of different functions in Florida politics, including fundraising, lobbying, researching issues and campaigning.

In addition to overseeing the legislative assistants, Woeber will deal with issues related to the House Financial Services, Energy and Commerce, Ways and Means and Small Business committees. A native of Jupiter, Fla., Woeber graduated from Florida State University in 1999 with a bachelor’s in political science.

Carol Beck, 23, has also been promoted; after more than a year with the Congresswoman, she will now serve as legislative assistant instead of staff assistant. Her new duties will include handling issues related to the House Veterans Affairs, Homeland Security and Judiciary committees.

Before coming to Capitol Hill, Beck worked at PCI Communications as a writer/strategist, and as an editor at Time & Space America. The Alexandria, Va., native graduated from Syracuse University in 2003 with a bachelor’s in political science and public relations. She is currently finishing her master’s in justice law and society at American University.

Andrew Kovalcin, 24, joins the office as a staff assistant and legislative correspondent. Previously, he served as a North Carolina state House campaign manager and has experience in grass-roots fundraising. The Fort Lauderdale, Fla., native graduated from North Carolina State University in 2003 with a bachelor’s in political science.