Meet The Team
Steve Danon
Steve Danon was appointed Chief of Staff by Congressman Brian Bilbray on August 1, 2006. As Chief of Staff, Steve serves as the chief policy advisor, develops and implements all policy objectives, strategies and operating plans. In addition, he coordinates Congressman Bilbray’s activities with House leadership and committees, as well as, manages and directs all activities and staff for Congressman Bilbray’s offices in Washington, D.C. and San Diego.
Prior to working for California’s 50th District, Steve was a partner in Benedetto and Danon Public Relations (BDPR), a communications firm that successfully ran the Congressman’s special election campaign in 2006. Prior to opening his own firm, Steve served as Vice President of Operations for the San Diego office of Porter Novelli International, an international public relations firm.
Steve has spent more than 20 years working with local, state and federal officials. A graduate of San Diego State University, Steve commutes between Washington D.C. and San Diego. He resides in Carmel Valley with his wife, two children and two dogs.
Christy Guerin
Christy was appointed District Director by Congressman Bilbray on July 1, 2006. As District Director, Christy oversees the Solana Beach Office in the district. She is responsible for supervising all field work, casework and maintaining relationships with local, state, and federal governments. Christy is a former Council member and Mayor for the City of Encinitas. She also served as a Deputy Sheriff with the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department for ten years. Christy lives in Encinitas with her husband and is the mother of four children.
Lorissa Bounds
Lorissa Bounds joined the Bilbray office as Deputy Chief of Staff in May 2008. Prior to that she spent 14 years working for Congressman Duncan Hunter (CA-52) leaving as his legislative director. She acts as primary policy advisor to Congressman Bilbray on a diverse portfolio of issues including: budget, energy, environment, financial services, government reform, natural resources and taxes. Lorissa also acts as primary staff liaison for the Committee on Government Reform and Oversight.
Robert Boland
A third generation Southern Californian, Robert serves as the Senior Legislative Assistant to the Congressman since July 2006. In this capacity, he handles all issues related to defense, foreign affairs, trade and the Congressman’s entire appropriations portfolio. In addition, Robert is the Congressman’s liaison for the House Veterans Affairs Committee and in the Congressman’s Chairmanship of the Central America Caucus and U.S.-Philippines Friendship Caucus. Prior to this, he worked for Congressman Elton Gallegly (CA-24) as a Legislative Assistant handling transportation and financial service issues. Robert graduated from California Lutheran University with a degree in Political Science and a minor in Spanish. He subsequently received his Masters of Public Policy with an emphasis in Transportation, Logistics and Operation from George Mason University.
Fritz Chaleff
As the Congressman’s Communications Director, Fritz is responsible for making sure constituents are kept informed of the Congressman’s legislative initiatives, such as immigration reform, the economy, health care and renewable energy. To execute his duties, Fritz works closely with the San Diego media, regional media of Southern California and national news outlets. He is in constant contact with news producers, reporters, and anchors throughout the day, and manages Congressman Bilbray's robust media exposure in the 24/7 news cycle. In addition to helping him stay in the news, Fritz works with the Congressman to ensure a healthy presence with new media and social media, such as on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. Prior to working for Congressman Bilbray, Fritz was the Communications Director for Congressman Tom Latham (IA-04) and before that was a partner with Buzz Media, a broadcast public-relations firm in Washington D.C. Fritz graduated with honors from Columbia College Chicago with his focus on marketing/communications and public relations.
Caryn Moore
Caryn Moore, a Southern California native, assists in the organization of the Washington, D.C. office. Additionally, she manages the congressional internship program. She is a proud graduate of UCLA.
Corinne Clark
Corinne is the Staff Assistant in the D.C. Office for the Congressman. She coordinates tours of the U.S. Capitol, the White House, Bureau of Engraving and Printing, Library of Congress, and the Pentagon, for constituents of the 50th District. Additionally, she processes all requests for American flags flown over the U.S. Capitol. Corinne grew up in San Diego and is a graduate of San Diego State University.
Don Giaquinto
Don serves as Staff Assistant for the Congressman in his Solana Beach Office. Over the past few years Don has worked in marketing/PR, communications and event planning for both non-profit and political organizations. Don spent eight years as the Director of Community Outreach and Policy Advisor for the City Council in the City of San Diego serving as advisor on community, policy and land use issues. During his tenure in the City of San Diego, he also served as Deputy Chief of Protocol/ Sister Cities Liaison in the Office of the Mayor, where he assisted with the management and coordination of visits and events involving high-level domestic and international officials.
Brian Jones
Brian serves as Deputy District Director for the Congressman assisting with issues related to Immigration, Energy, Environment, Science & Technology, State Department and Agriculture. He also assists the Congressman in regional representation. Brian grew up in San Diego and is a graduate of the University of San Diego.
Gary Kline
Gary serves as the Senior Policy Advisor to the Congressman. In his capacity, Gary is responsible for monitoring and advising the Congressman on the issues of biotechnology/science, health care, stem cells, education and technology. Gary also serves as the Congressman’s main staff person for the U.S. House Committee on Science and Technology and the Congressional Biomedical Research Caucus, of which Mr. Bilbray is a Co-Chair. Prior to his position with Congressman Bilbray, Gary was a lobbyist with the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology (FASEB). At FASEB, Gary led the organization’s advocacy efforts on behalf of funding for the National Science Foundation (NSF), the Department of Energy’s Office of Science and worked with the Director of Legislative Affairs on funding issues related to the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Gary is a dual graduate of American University having earned his undergraduate degree in government and his Master of Public Policy with a concentration in health care policy with honors.
Andrew Lund
Andrew has been a part of “Team Bilbray” as a Field Representative since July of 2007. Prior to that time he worked in the District Office of State Assemblyman George Plescia. He assists the Congressman with matters pertaining to the U.S. Armed Forces, Veterans Administration, Health and Human Services (Medicare), the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). He is also the Congressman’s Service Academy Nomination Process Coordinator.
Jennifer Polk
Jennifer is the Executive/Legislative Assistant in the D.C. Office for the Congressman. She handles all Washington D.C scheduling and Agriculture issues. Jennifer is a graduate of San Diego State University. Prior to her position in Congressman Brian Bilbray’s office she was a Field Representative for California Assemblyman Martin Garrick and Scheduler/Field Representative for California Assemblywoman Shirley Horton.
Jeffrey Post
Jeffrey is a Legislative Assistant for the Congressman. He serves as the primary staff member for the Congressman on the Federal Workforce, Postal Service and District of Columbia Subcommittee of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform in addition to work as a legislative researcher on a number of issues. Additionally, Post oversees the Congressman’s constituent correspondence program. A native Southern Californian, Post completed his undergraduate work at UC Irvine and subsequently earned a Master of Political Management with a concentration in public policy from the George Washington University in Washington, DC.
Joe Williamson
Joe is the Staff Assistant in the D.C. Office. Joe coordinates tours of the U.S. Capitol, the White House, National Archives, Bureau of Engraving and Printing, Library of Congress, and the Pentagon, for constituents of the 50th District. Additionally, Joe processes all requests for American flags flown over the U.S. Capitol. He also manages the Congressman’s Washington D.C. internship program and provides assistance to all members of the Congressman’s staff.