With two offices in Texas and a Washington, D.C. Congressional office, I employ almost 20 staffers who work diligently in order to best serve the residents of the 26th District of Texas.
Lewisville District Office Staff
Erik With - District Director
Robin Vaughan - District Administrator
Robin has served on the district staff since Rep. Burgess was elected to Congress in 2002 and previously served on the state and Washington staffs of U.S. Senator Phil Gramm. She coordinates all District special events, including Town Halls, Summits and the Congressional Veteran Commendation. In addition, Robin oversees services to high school and college students, including Service Academy Nominations, the Congressional High School Art Contest, Graduation Certificates and internships.
Joan Self - District Assistant
Joan came to work for Congressman Burgess after having a career as an elementary school teacher for over twenty years. She joined Dr. Burgess’ office when he was still in the campaign process. After the Congressman was elected to office, Joan worked in the Campaign Office for two years. In 2004, Joan came to work in the District Office in Lewisville. Her responsibilities include coordinating responses for constituent requests, flag certificates, assistance with special projects, along with outreach activities.
David Lehde - Staff Assistant
David is a Texan, born of a military service member abroad, and is an active alumnus of the University of North Texas (Go Mean Green). He left the private sector/healthcare industry to begin his service on the District staff in 2005. He oversees audio, visual and technology issues in the district and guides technology interns. In addition, David assists with outreach to the community, tracking district issues and various administrative duties.
Fort Worth District Office Staff
Patricia Bostic - Development Director
Pat, also born of a military service member abroad, extended her career by joining the Burgess District staff in October 2005. Prior to becoming part of the congressional office, she worked for several municipal and quasi units of government. Pat has more than 15 years experience in grant and program management, as well as core backgrounds in community, housing, planning, transportation and economic development. Her day-to-day responsibilities include grant, economic and small business development for Texas' 26th District.
Melanie Torres - Constituent Services Aide
Andrew Flores - Constituent Services Aide
Andrew joined Team Burgess in February 2006 after a year-long internship and upon graduating from Texas Wesleyan University. He handles Constituent Services for Congressman Burgess which includes casework matters for constituents that have been experiencing problems with federal agencies. Specifically, Andrew works with the Social Security Administration, Department of Education, Citizenship and Immigration Services, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Veterans Affairs, Medicare Part D, and Comptroller of the Currency.
Washington, D.C. Congressional Office Staff
Barry Brown - Chief of Staff
Barry joined Congressman Burgess in January 2003 as Chief of Staff, having served in the private sector as a government relations representative. He began his congressional career as a Legislative Assistant to then-Chairman of the House Agriculture Committee Rep. Larry Combest (R-Lubbock) and later served as Legislative Director to Rep. Kevin Brady (R-The Woodlands) and Chief of Staff to Rep. Kay Granger (R-Fort Worth). He oversees the overall day-to-day management and operations of the congressional office and advises the Congressman on all strategic matters. He graduated with a BA from Texas Tech University and is the past-President of the National Board of Directors for the Texas Tech Alumni Association. He is married with a son, Leighton, and a daughter, Gipson.
Josh Martin - Deputy Chief of Staff/Legislative Director
Josh began working for the Washington, D.C. office in January 2003. As Legislative Director he has primary responsibility over health care, water, immigration, appropriations and Congressman Burgess' work on the Energy and Commerce Committee. Prior to joining Congressman Burgess, Josh worked for several years in both legislative and executive levels of Texas State Government. Josh is a native of Burleson, Texas.
Alison Lynn - Communications Director
Alison Lynn joined the Burgess staff as Communications Director in November 2007 after serving as speechwriter to two Secretaries of Transportation during President George W. Bush’s Administration. During her ten-plus years in Washington, D.C., Alison has helped create advertising for Presidential, Senate and Congressional campaigns and served as a spokesperson at the Republican National Committee. She’s also been responsible for strategic message development, crisis communications, and high-profile public affairs campaigns for Fortune 500 companies, as well as some of the nation’s largest trade associations. She relies on this experience in both the public and private sectors to lead the Congressman’s press and public outreach. She graduated with a BA Summa Cum Laude from the University of Florida in 1996 and earned a MA from George Washington University’s Graduate School of Political Management in 1998. She is married and the mother of two boys, Preston and Harrison.
Matthew Johnson - Senior Legislative Assistant
After joining the Washington, D.C. office in July 2007, Matt began handling a portfolio of legislative issues including energy, the environment, veterans affairs, agriculture, budget, housing, and financial markets. In addition to these responsibilities, Matt manages the Subcommittee on Energy and Air Quality assignment. Matt is a Marine combat veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom, and attends Johns Hopkins University part-time where he is studying to receive his Masters in Government and an MBA.
Sery E. Kim - Legislative Counsel
Sery joined Congressman Burgess in July 2008 as Legislative Counsel. Previously, Sery worked for the Huckabee for President campaign as well as the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services during President George W. Bush's Administration. A native of Congressman Burgess' district, Sery graduated from the University of Texas at Austin School of Law at age 23 and received her B.A. in two years (Magna Cum Laude) from the University of North Texas. Sery is the immediate past President of the DC Texas Exes and currently serves as a Member of the Texas Exes Council, a Board Member of the Friends of the Archer Center, as the current President Elect of the DC Texas Exes, a Member of the Young Professionals Committee for the Trust for the National Mall, and writes entertainment reviews for NBC.
Steven Giaier - Legislative Assistant/Legislative Correspondent
Steve joined the Washington, D.C. office in December of 2007 after earning a law degree from Gonzaga University in Spokane, Washington. In addition to coordinating responses to constituent inquiries, Steve also oversees the Armed Services and National Security portfolios, including the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and the Global War on Terror.
Eric Wilson - Legislative Assistant/Policy Committee Liaison
Eric, originally from Wichita Falls, is a graduate of the Texas Academy of Math and Science at UNT and the University of the South in Sewanee, TN. His primary responsibilities involve the House Republican Policy Committee, a Leadership office, of which Congressman Burgess is the Vice-Chairman. Eric also handles Second Amendment Issues, Social Security, and Entitlement programs.
Amanda Stevens - Scheduler/Office Manager
Amanda joined the Washington, D.C. office in February 2007 after serving almost 3 years with U.S. Senator Mike DeWine (R-Ohio). Amanda handles the Congressman’s schedule in both Washington and while he is in Texas. In addition, she handles all office administrative duties ensuring the office runs at full speed. Amanda is originally from Ohio, graduating in 2004 with a Bachelor of Arts from Wittenberg University in Springfield, Ohio.
Allison Burzlaff - Press Assistant/Legislative Correspondent
Allison joined the Washington, D.C. office in July 2008 after graduating Summa Cum Laude from Texas A&M University. As a Press Assistant, she aids the Communications Director with media relations and speaking engagements, and as Legislative Correspondent Allison assists Rep. Burgess in formulating responses to constituent inquiries. Allison also maintains the Congressman's website as a resource for constituents and reporters.
Jessica Straus- Staff Assistant/Intern Coordinator
Jessica joined the Washington, D.C. office in August 2008. Her duties include scheduling Capitol and White House tours, submitting flag and Presidential greeting requests, and coordinating the office's Congressional internship program. Jessica is also the welcoming face of the front office who greets all visitors who come to the Washington, D.C. office. She is originally from Dallas, TX and moved to Washington, D.C. after graduating from Davidson College in North Carolina in 2007.
