Rep. Scott Garrett (R-N.J.) recently announced two promotions and two new hires in his Washington, D.C., office.

Following a stint at the Small Business Committee, Andrew Wimer joined Garrett’s office as a staff assistant and most recently served as a legislative correspondent. He now accepts a promotion to the position of legislative assistant. A native of Melbourne, Fla., Wimer graduated from Pennsylvania’s Grove City College in 2003.

Garrett stays true to his roots in promoting an authentic Jersey girl, Jill Ahart of Phillipsburg, N.J., to assume Wimer’s previous responsibilities. The 2004 graduate of George Mason University previously interned with the office of Rep. Jim Saxton (R-N.J.) before joining Garrett’s team as a staff assistant.

[IMGCAP(1)]To replace Ahart as staff assistant, Garrett has tapped Stacey Forbes, a native of Loudon, Va., who returns to the Washington area following her recent graduation from Longwood University in Farmville, Va. She graduated with degrees in communications and Spanish. Forbes is also a former intern with the health care policy group of Jefferson Government Relations.

Rounding out the list of staff changes is Garrett’s selection of Eric Cullen to serve as his new communications director. A native of Wisconsin and a graduate of the University of Wisconsin, Cullen most recently served as press secretary to then-Rep. George Nethercutt (R-Wash.) during his 2004 Senate campaign. In 2002, he was the campaign director for Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wis.). Cullen also brings journalistic experience to the office, having previously served as editor in chief of the Badger Herald in Madison, Wis.

Garrett said he is pleased with his promotions and eager to integrate the new staffers into his office. “Andrew and Jill have done an excellent job in their respective roles and it is a pleasure to promote them,” Garrett said in a statement. “With the addition of Eric and Stacey, I know my office will continue to serve the people of the 5th district with distinction. I welcome them both, and look forward to working with the new team.”