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Landrieu Announces New Senate Communications Team.Oct 12, 2009 (Congressional Documents and Publications/ContentWorks via COMTEX) -- October 09, 2009 Contact: Aaron Saunders (202) 224-0098 Landrieu Announces New Senate Communications Team WASHINGTON - United States Senator Mary L. Landrieu, D-La., today announced the appointment of key staff members to her communications department. Leading Sen. Landrieu's press team is Aaron Saunders, who was promoted from Press Secretary to Communications Director in June. Rob Sawicki, formerly Press Secretary for U.S. Senator Joseph I. Lieberman, I-Conn., has been named Press Secretary. Dan Toffey joins Sen. Landrieu's communications team as the New Media Coordinator. Toffey most recently served as Associate Research Director of the Early Voting Information Center. Ellie Atkins will serve as Press Assistant and Jetaine Hart has been appointed Communications Assistant, specially handling foster care and adoption communications for the Senator. "Throughout the years, my communications department has earned a reputation for being thorough, accurate, and timely, and with a team veteran at the helm, I expect that dedication to continue" said Sen. Landrieu. "Aaron Saunders' experience and bipartisan background make him the ideal person to lead my communications team. Additionally, Rob Sawicki's Hill experience, Dan Toffey's knowledge of new media communications tools and the skills and enthusiasm of Ellie Atkins and Jetaine Hart give this office an energetic, well-rounded team that will help me to better serve the people of Louisiana." Aaron Saunders, Senator Landrieu's new Communications Director, worked for Senator Ted Stevens, R-Alaska, for more than five years, serving as Communications Director in his Washington office and for the Senate Commerce Committee during Stevens' tenure as Chairman. In 2008, he served as Communications Director for Stevens' re-election campaign. Prior to coming to Capitol Hill, Saunders was the Public Relations Manager for the Alaska SeaLife Center in Seward, Alaska. He earned his undergraduate degree from Miami University of Ohio and his Master's in Political Communications from Georgetown University. Rob Sawicki, who joined Landrieu's staff in September 2009, worked for Senator Joe Lieberman for nine years, including three years as Lieberman's Press Secretary. He also served as New Mexico State Press Secretary on Lieberman's 2004 Presidential campaign. Most recently, he was Senior Director of Communications for the Parkinson's Action Network. Sawicki is a native of Fairfield, Conn., and has a Bachelor's Degree in Media Studies form Sacred Heart University. Dan Toffey joined Senator Landrieu's communications team as New Media Coordinator in October 2009, after serving as Associate Research Director of the Early Voting Information Center, a non-partisan academic research center based at Reed, where he conducted research and co-authored numerous academic articles on early and convenience voting. Toffey also conducted research on Sen. Landrieu's 2008 reelection campaign. He is a native of Philadelphia, and graduated in 2007 from Reed College, in Portland, Ore., with a degree in Political Science. Ellie Atkins joined Senator Landrieu's staff in July of 2009. Previously, Ellie interned for National Public Radio, Morning Edition and for Representative Berman (D-Calif.). Ellie is from Brookeville, Md., and graduated with honors from Vanderbilt University in May 2009 with a degree in Communications Studies. Jetaine Hart joined Senator Landrieu's staff in July 2009 after completing a congressional internship in the Senator's office though the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute. Jetaine currently works as member of the communications team, in addition to handling constituent correspondence and policy initiatives in areas of adoptions and foster care. Jetaine graduated La Sierra University in California with a Bachelor's in Social Work, and is a native of Ukiah, Calif. LANDRIEU COMMUNICATIONS TEAM CONTACT INFORMATION: Press Department (your first contact for all Landrieu media requests); Hotline: 202-224-4893; Email: [email protected] Aaron Saunders, Communications Director; Direct: 202-224-0098; Cell: 202-215-9669; Email: [email protected] Rob Sawicki, Press Secretary; Direct: 202-224-0098; Cell: 202-262-7006; Email: [email protected] Dan Toffey, New Media Coordinator; Direct: 202-224-4337; Cell: 202-286-0233; Email: [email protected] Ellie Atkins, Press Assistant; Direct: 202-224-0088; Cell: 202-365-2323; Email: [email protected] Jetaine Hart, Communications Assistant; Direct: 202-224-1949; Cell: 202-368-1932; Email: [email protected] |