If you see Ashley Jones, make sure you give her a hearty congratulations. The longtime staffer for Rep. John Barrow was recently promoted to chief of staff in the Georgia Democrat’s office. [IMGCAP(2)]

“Ashley brings the energy and experience we need to continue to serve the people of Georgia’s 12th District,” Barrow said in a statement. “I’m excited that she’s agreed to serve as my Chief of Staff, and I’m looking forward to working with her for a long time to come.”

Prior to the promotion, Jones, 28, had served as deputy chief of staff. During the 109th Congress, Jones worked as scheduler for Barrow and was finance director during Barrow’s first campaign for Congress in 2004. [IMGCAP(1)]

The Marietta, Ga., native graduated from the University of Georgia with a bachelor’s degree in political science in 2001 and wrote in an e-mail that she is passionate about Georgia Bulldog football.

Jones replaced Roman Levit, who will continue to serve as policy director for Barrow.

Changes for Conrad. Sen. Kent Conrad (D-N.D.) has initiated a few staff changes in his office, promoting three staffers and adding another.

Moving up in the office to become senior adviser for communications and public affairs is Chris Thorne, 39. Thorne previously worked as communications director for Conrad since 2003 and was deputy communications director in the office from 2002 to 2003. Before that, he was a news writer for The Associated Press from 1997 to 2002 and a staff writer for the Times Herald-Record in Middletown, N.Y., from 1992 to 1997.

“I hopped around the country as an Associated Press correspondent and saw firsthand some great political stories in places like Albany, N.Y. and Springfield, Ill.,” Thorne wrote in an e-mail, “but the most important political story I ever covered was the 2000 Senate race in Delaware. I met my wife while covering that story —

she was campaign manager for then-Gov. Tom Carper.”

The Philadelphia native graduated from Pace University in White Plains, N.Y., with a bachelor’s degree in journalism.

Also receiving a promotion is Sean Neary, 35. Previously deputy communications director for Conrad since 2004, Neary will now work as communications director in the office.

Prior to joining Conrad’s team, Neary worked as editorial director for America’s Promise from 2001 to 2004; as editorial director for Dittus Communications in 2001; as features editor for Voter.com from 2000 to 2001; as associate editor of George magazine from 1995 to 2000; and as editorial researcher for Rolling Stone from 1994 to 1995.

“I’ve written for numerous publications including, People, Newsweek, the New York Post, USA Today, and the Washington Post,” Neary wrote in an e-mail. “I have also contributed to several books and oversaw the development of Alma Powell’s (Colin Powell’s wife) best-selling children’s book America’s Promise.”

Neary graduated from the University of Delaware with a bachelor’s degree in history in 1994. He is from Merrick, N.Y.

Replacing Neary as deputy communications director is Christopher Gaddie, 31. Previously, Gaddie worked as special assistant to Conrad in his Fargo, N.D., office since 2005.

Before joining Conrad’s staff, Gaddie worked as communications coordinator and staff writer for Swanson Health Products from 2003 to 2005. He also worked as project director for Market Solutions Group from 2000 to 2003 and as special assignment reporter for the Minot Daily News and Jamestown Sun from 1996 to 2003.

From Minot, N.D., Gaddie earned his bachelor’s degree from Creighton University in 2000.

Finally, new to the office as a legislative assistant is Joe McGarvey, 34. He will deal with energy and environmental issues in the office.

Before coming aboard, McGarvey worked as a research associate for the National Regulatory Research Institute since 2003 and as a special assistant for Energy and International Affairs for former Rep. Tom Sawyer (D-Ohio) from 2001 to 2003.

A 1994 graduate of Michigan State University, McGarvey went on to earn a master’s degree from Ohio State University in 2000. He is from Okemos, Mich.

“I am fortunate to have a solid team working for North Dakota,” Conrad said in a statement, “one that effectively advocates for the things that matter. Chris Thorne, Sean Neary and Chris Gaddie are loyal, hard working and dedicated to serving the people I represent. I’d also like to welcome Joe McGarvey to my staff. He brings with him the kind of experience and know-how that is sure to benefit the people of North Dakota.”