Miller Announces New Hires and Promotions For Education and the Workforce Committee Democratic Staff
WASHINGTON – Rep. George Miller (D-Calif.), the senior Democrat on the House Committee on Education and the Workforce, today announced new hires and promotions for Democratic committee staff in the 113th Congress.
“I congratulate my hard-working and expert staff on well-deserved promotions, and I welcome the newly hired and returning talent to the committee,” said Miller. "The committee Democrats' mission to work on behalf of all Americans to grow and strengthen the middle class will be well-served by these individuals' skills, expertise, work ethic, and passion for public service. Along with existing staff, this promises to be a dream team for the 113th Congress on education and labor issues."
Jeremy Ayers joins the committee as an education policy advisor, focusing on elementary and secondary education. Prior to the committee, Jeremy worked as associate director of federal education programs at the Center for American Progress, as a classroom teacher in Florida, and as a policy analyst for the Alliance for Excellent Education, a national high school reform organization. He got his start in education working for the Family Resource Center, a small nonprofit serving rural North Carolina children and families. Jeremy holds a master’s degree from Duke University and a bachelor’s degree from McMurry University in his home state of Texas.
Kelly Broughan has been promoted to education policy associate. Kelly started with the committee in 2011, as a staff assistant. Prior to joining the committee, Kelly taught 6th graders in Houston, TX with the Teach for America program. She is currently finishing her Masters of Education degree part-time at the University of St. Thomas. Originally from Sacramento, California, Kelly received her B.A. in political science from the University of California, Berkeley.
Jacqueline Chevalier is joining the committee as an education policy advisor, specializing in disability and civil rights in education issues. Prior to joining the committee, Jacqueline worked as a senior policy strategist for the national office of the PTA where she lead the association’s federal policy efforts pertaining to reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. Previously, she worked for United Way Worldwide, where she was the manager of public policy focusing on early and K-12 education policy. Jacqueline is a Washington, D.C. native and has a bachelor’s degree from the University of Virginia.
John D’Elia has been promoted to labor policy associate. John started with the committee in 2011 as a staff assistant. Prior to joining the committee, John interned for Congressman Anthony Weiner, Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney, the ONE Campaign and the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee (DLCC). Originally from Massapequa, New York, John is a graduate of George Washington University.
Ali Falahi returns to the House of Representatives to take over as systems administrator for the committee after serving as an intern in a prior Congress. For the past two and a half years, he worked in a similar role at the Middle East Broadcast Networks and then at the American Society of Interior Designers, providing technical support management and support. He is currently studying to earn a degree in information systems from Montgomery College.
Jamie Fasteau has been promoted to education policy director. Jamie joined the committee in 2010 and most recently served as deputy education policy director. She is an expert in K-12 education policy and a highly regarded lead staffer on education issues on Capitol Hill. Jamie’s work with the committee has included, among other things, developing the next generation of education reform proposals, handling efforts to reauthorize the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, and providing critical work on a wide array of oversight matters for Congress related to education. Prior to joining the committee, Jamie served as the director of policy development at the Alliance for Excellent Education, and worked for Senator Patty Murray, D-Wash., focusing on legislation affecting children and families. Fasteau, who grew up in Claremont, Calif., is a graduate of Claremont-McKenna College.
Scott Groginsky joins the committee as an education policy advisor, working primarily on early childhood, school nutrition and child welfare issues. He has worked on public education and early childhood policy for the past 22 years in a variety of capacities, including as an aide to Congressman Jared Polis, D-Colo.; education director and senior policy director for the Colorado Children’s Campaign; policy director for Mr. Polis during his tenure on Colorado State Board of Education; and program manager of the early childhood program of the National Conference of State Legislatures. Scott holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from The George Washington University.
Eunice Ikene joins the committee as a staff assistant, working in the committee Democrats' front office. Eunice was a field organizer for the Obama for America campaign in Florida during the 2012 election. She has interned with former Congressman, now Senator Joe Donnelly of her native Indiana. Eunice was born in England and immigrated with her Nigerian family to the United States before she started school. She has a bachelor's degree in business and political science from the University of Notre Dame.
Brian Levin has been promoted to deputy press secretary and new media coordinator. Brian joined the committee in 2011. He most recently developed the committee’s first animated video to help explain legislation to the public. Prior to joining the committee, Brian worked as part of the communications team for the League of Conservation Voters. Originally from San Anselmo, California, he holds a bachelor’s degree in political science and creative writing from Northwestern University.
Leticia Mederos joins the staff today as senior policy advisor, focused on labor and women’s issues. Mederos comes to the committee from the office of Rep. Michelle Lujan Grisham (NM-01), where she served as chief of staff. Previously, Mederos worked at the National Partnership for Women & Families as vice president for work & family programs. Prior to the Partnership, Mederos was chief of staff to Congresswoman Rosa L. DeLauro (D-Conn.) where she managed the Labor/HHS & Education Appropriations bill, as well as labor and education issues. A native of Cuba, Mederos received a B.A. in history & social work from Florida International University and master’s degree in American history from Rutgers University.
Rich Williams joins the committee as an education policy advisor, specializing in higher education policy, including student aid. Rich comes to the committee from the U.S. Public Interest Research Group (U.S. PIRG), where he served as the higher education advocate, representing college students before the White House, Congress, and the Department of Education. He started organizing for higher education while a student at Coconino Community College and Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff, AZ, where graduated with a bachelor’s degree in history.
Michael Zola has been promoted to deputy staff director, after most recently serving as senior counsel on the committee. Michael first joined the committee in 2006, serving as chief investigative counsel, handling a number of critical investigations into prohibitive inducements, deceptive marketing and conflicts of interest in the student lending industry and the abuse and neglect of children attending residential treatment programs among other investigations. In 2011, he served as a Deputy Assistant Secretary for Oversight at the Department of Education. Prior to joining the committee, Michael was an investigator, attorney and Assistant Director with the Government Accountability Office. Originally from New Jersey, Michael has a bachelor’s degree from Rider University, a master’s degree from the University of Pittsburgh and a juris doctorate with honors from the Catholic University of America.
Mark Zuckerman is rejoining the committee as senior economic advisor, handling an array of strategic and education and labor policy issues, including efforts to enact the next minimum wage increase. Mark has a long history with the committee serving in various positions, including general counsel and democratic staff director. He most recently served in the White House as President Obama’s deputy domestic policy advisor.
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