Senate Energy and Natural Resources ranking member Pete Domenici (R-N.M.) recently named Matt Letourneau, 26, the new communications director of the panel’s Republican staff. [IMGCAP(1)]

“Because of his familiarity with many of the matters before the Energy and Natural Resources Committee and his experience as a key member of my press office,” Domenici said in a statement, “I have asked him to take over as Republican communications director for the committee. I have worked closely with Matt over the past three and a half years, and I am pleased he has accepted this new responsibility.”

Prior to the appointment, Letourneau worked as deputy press secretary in Domenici’s personal office since 2003. From 2002 to 2003 he worked as a legislative correspondent and Judiciary subcommittee clerk for Sen. Jon Kyl (R-Ariz.). He also was a White House intern from 2001 to 2002.

The father of a newborn boy named Patrick graduated from The Catholic University of America in 2002. He is from Shrewsbury, Mass.

Young Staffers. Rep. Don Young (R-Alaska) has added two staffers to his office and promoted two others.

Moving up in the office to become its top communicator is Meredith Kenny, 26. Her official title is not in fact top communicator but rather communications director.

Prior to the promotion, Kenny served as deputy press secretary and legislative assistant in the office. She first joined Young in 2005 as a legislative correspondent.

Before joining Young’s team, Kenny worked as a staff assistant and scheduler for Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen (R-N.J.) from 2004 to 2005. She worked as a personal assistant to the president of Charles

E. Smith Commercial Realty from 2003 to 2004.

From Holmdel, N.J., Kenny earned her undergraduate degree from Saint Joseph’s University in 2002.

Jeremy Price, 27, also is climbing the ladder in Young’s office. Previously a staff assistant in the office since 2005, Price will now work as a legislative assistant.

Before coming to the Hill, Price worked as a materials handler for Salcha Electric in his hometown of Salcha, Alaska, during part of 2005. He also worked as a customer service representative with DIRECTV.

Price earned a degree in business marketing from Utah State University 2005.

New to the office is Kevin Kennedy, 25. Kennedy previously worked for Arctic Power since 2004.

A 2004 Union College graduate in political science, Kennedy is from Bernardsville, N.J.

Finally, Thomas Ryan, 23, joins the office as a staff assistant. He previously worked as a staff assistant for then-Rep. Chris Chocola (R-Ind.).

“It took me longer to find my first job on the Hill than I actually worked there,” Ryan wrote in an e-mail.

A native of Orono, Minn., Ryan graduated from Georgetown University with a degree in government and psychology in 2006.

Caucus Additions. Rep. John Larson (D-Conn.) has added three staffers to his Democratic Caucus vice chairman team.

Acting as staff director will be George Shevlin, 36. [IMGCAP(2)]

Before assuming his new role, Shevlin worked as the Democratic staff director on the House Administration Committee. Prior to that, he was a legislative assistant and legislative director for Larson. He has also worked as legislative director for then-Rep. Jay Johnson (D-Wis.), legislative counsel to then-Rep. Douglas Applegate (D-Ohio) and as an intern to then-Rep. Ted Weiss (D-N.Y).

The Glens Falls, N.Y., native earned his undergraduate degree in government and international relations from the University of Notre Dame. He also earned a law degree from the University of Baltimore and a master’s degree in international trade law from the London School of Economics.

Shevlin is a member of the Supreme Court and Maryland state bars.

Brian Mahar will serve as communications director in the office. Mahar previously was a longtime staffer in Larson’s personal office.

After serving as finance coordinator for Larson for Congress in 2000, Mahar worked in Larson’s office as a legislative correspondent and systems administrator from 2001 to 2003. From 2003 to 2005, he worked as shared staff for the House Administration Committee as well as a legislative assistant for Larson. Before his recent move, Mahar was Larson’s senior legislative assistant and communications director.

A 2000 graduate of The College of William & Mary, Mahar is from Wethersfield, Conn.

Finally, Adwoa Ansah, 25, will work as assistant to the vice chairman.

Previously, Ansah worked in Larson’s personal office as scheduler and office manager since August 2005. She was an intern for Larson before that.

Ansah also worked as community liaison for the Capitol Area Substance Abuse Council and the City of Hartford.

From East Hartford, Conn., Ansah graduated from Southern Connecticut State University with a degree in political science in 2005.

“I am proud to have such talented and dedicated individuals who will carry out the vision of Speaker Pelosi as they execute it in their work everyday in Caucus with the leadership of Chairman Emanuel,” Larson said in a statement.

Heading Home. Laurel Dawson, 50, has resurfaced. The longtime chief of staff to former Sen. Mike DeWine (R-Ohio) is now a principal in The CJR Group. She will work out of the government affairs firm’s Columbus, Ohio, office.

Prior to working as DeWine’s top aide starting in 1995, Dawson worked as director of cabinet affairs for Sen. George Voinovich (R-Ohio), who was then the governor of Ohio, from 1991 to 1993. Before that, she worked as chief of staff for DeWine from 1983 to 1990 when he was a Member of the House. She also worked as a legislative assistant to then-Rep. Robert Lagomarsino (R-Calif.) from 1979 to 1982.

From Columbus, Dawson earned dual bachelor’s degrees in international studies and international affairs from Miami University of Ohio in 1979. She earned a master’s degree in organizational development from American University in 2001.