Hill Climbers has a special affection for Rep. Kathy Castor (D-Fla.), being that she is from the Tampa area that Castor represents. And now she has a special affection for the staffers in Castor’s office. [IMGCAP(1)]

“It’s like a family,” said Jocelyn Reid, a recently promoted legislative assistant. “It really is.”

Reid, 27, originally is from Chicago and is currently working on a degree in communications from Howard University after transferring from the University of Maryland. She has experience as a legislative intern in the offices of Reps. Danny Davis (D-Ill.) and Barbara Lee (D-Calif.). She also was a public relations intern at Ruder Finn.

Now, as part of the Castor family, she has gone to Rosa Mexicano, Matchbox and Old Siam, among other restaurants, with her co-workers and the Representative herself.

“We believe in food in this office,” said Courtney Christian, recently promoted from legislative assistant to legislative director. She previously worked for Sen. Bill Nelson (D-Fla.) as a legislative correspondent and as a legislative associate for D.C. Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D). She attended Florida State University, earning her bachelor’s degree in English literature with a minor in communications, and her master’s in public administration.

Christian, 31, likes to cook and shop and lives in the Lincoln Park neighborhood. She is a Tallahassee, Fla., native.

Jeremy Farris, 32, has been promoted from intern to staff assistant in Castor’s office. He previously worked on the campaign staffs of Rep. Allen Boyd (D-Fla.), Florida state Rep. Curtis Richardson (D) and former Florida state Rep. Perry McGriff (D). Farris has additional experience working for the Florida Senate as well as for the Leon County supervisor of elections.

Farris is a skilled trombone player, having graduated with a major in music from the University of Southern Mississippi in 1999. The opera “Carmen” is his specialty. Farris went on to earn a master’s degree in political science from the University of Florida in 2003.

Originally from Hoover, Ala., Farris has been enjoying his time in the capital.

“There’s so much to do in D.C.,” he said, professing his affection for the International Spy Museum and the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial. [IMGCAP(2)]

University of Texas graduate Nathan Taylor is now Castor’s legislative assistant and legislative correspondent — and Climbers thinks he is more than cut out for the job.

“I’ve always been a political geek,” he said.

Taylor enjoys living in his coed house in Columbia Heights and shopping at Eastern Market on the weekends, but he also enjoys C-SPAN and political biographies.

He said his penchant for politics makes him a staunch supporter for D.C. voting rights.

“It is a big deal to me to not have a Senator,” he said.

Taylor earned a bachelor’s degree from UT in political science with a minor in communications, and he was an Archer Fellow there. He has experience in the office of Rep. Lloyd Doggett (D-Texas) as a paid intern and worked for Dr. Joel Swerdlow of National Geographic as a staff researcher. He also spent time interning for National Public Radio in D.C.

He originally is from Billings, Mont.

Submit news of hires and promotions on Capitol Hill to Hill Climbers here
.