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 - District Communications 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 local press and communities, tracks district issues and also performs 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. Barry 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.
James "J.P." Paluskiewicz - Legislative Director
J.P. joined the office in March of 2009 and oversees the Congressman’s legislative agenda while dealing with public policy relating to domestic social, budgetary, and entitlement issues, particularly those surrounding health care. Formerly, J.P. served Representative Charlie Norwood, D.D.S. (R-GA-10) for over four years in a variety of positions, initially as a Legislative Aide and later as Legislative Director & Health Policy Advisor. J.P. has been recognized by several health care provider groups for his work on Capitol Hill, including the Special Recognition Award from the American Psychiatric Society, the first award ever granted to a Congressional staffer by the organization, and the Gift of Life Legislator of the Year Award from the American Society of Transplantation. J.P. attended American University on a Leadership Scholarship, graduating with majors in Political Science and Law & Society in 2001. In 2005, he earned his Masters in Legislative Affairs from George Washington University with a focus in health policy and constitutional theory.
Lauren Bean - Communications Director
Lauren joined Congressman Burgess' Washington, DC office as a staff assistant in 2007, and was promoted to legislative correspondent and press assistant in less than a year. She then joined the staff of United States Senator John Cornyn (R-Texas) in 2008 as the Deputy Press Secretary. In March of 2009, Congressman Burgess welcomed her back to his staff as Communications Director, where she oversees all communication and media relations for the office. Lauren is a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Public Relations with a concentration in Journalism, and a minor in Business Administration. She is a member of the Texas State Society, Republican Communications Association and Women's Congressional Staff Association.
James Decker - Legislative Counsel
James joined Congressman Burgess’ Washington D.C. office in September 2009, handling energy, environment, agriculture, labor, and national security issues. James further handles Congressman Burgess’ Subcommittee on Energy & Environment portfolio. James received a B.A. in Classics from Amherst College and a J.D. from The George Washington University Law School. Prior to joining Congressman Burgess’ staff, James served as a Legislative Assistant and Staff Attorney to Senator Arlen Specter and Legislative Counsel to Congressman Tom Davis (R-VA-11). Prior to working on the Hill, he assisted with bankruptcy and contract litigation at law firms in NY and DC.
George McCormick - Legislative Counsel
George joined Congressman Burgess’ staff in July 2010, where he focuses on transportation, education, financial services and related issues on the Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee of the House Energy and Commerce Committee. In addition, he assists Congressman Burgess with his Joint Economic Committee duties. Prior to joining the office, George practiced white collar litigation and enforcement law in Washington, DC and has held other positions on Capitol Hill. George, a native of Florida, has a B.A. in Economics from the University of Florida, a J.D. from Washington and Lee University, and a Masters in Taxation from New York University School of Law.
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.
Rebekah West - Executive Director of the Congressional Health Care Caucus
Rebakah joined the Washington, DC office in January 2010 as Staff Assistant, and was promoted to Executive Director of the Congressional Health Care Caucus in May 2010. Rebekah's Caucus duties include planning and executing Caucus events, producing health care policy documents, and maintaining the Caucus' online presence through UStream, Twitter, Facebook and the Caucus' website. Rebekah is originally from Plano, Texas and graduated from Baylor University in December of 2009.
Coleman Garrison - Legislative Correspondent
Coleman joined the Washington, D.C. office in July 2009 after previously interning for Congressman Burgess during the spring of 2008. Coleman served as Staff Assistant, and now works as a Legislative Correspondent. He is originally from Frisco, Texas and graduated from Texas Tech University in May of 2009.
Blair Mixon - Legislative Correspondent
Blair joined Congressman Burgess’ Washington, DC office in 2010 as a Legislative Correspondent. She graduated from North Georgia College and State University with a dual degree in Political Science and the French language after completing undergraduate semesters at the Georgetown University and the Université du Maine in Le Mans, France. Prior to joining Congressman Burgess’ staff, Blair served as a staff assistant for Congressman Paul Broun from Georgia. She is currently a fellow for The Fund for American Studies.
Ambyr Kinne – Staff Assistant
Ambyr joined the Washington, D.C. office in June 2010. Ambyr’s staff assistant duties include schedule Capitol and White House tours, submitting flag and Presidential greeting requests, and coordinating the office’s internship program. She is also the welcoming face of the front office who greets all visitors who come to visit the Washington, D.C. office. Ambyr is originally from Wimberley, Texas, and she graduated from Texas A&M University with an English major and Communication minor in 2008. In 2010, she earned her Master’s of Arts in Teaching degree from Johns Hopkins University while teaching English in Baltimore with Teach for America. During her two year Teach for America service experience, she educated 110 9th and 10th grade students on the West Side of Baltimore at Augusta Fells Savage Institute of Visual Arts, and won the distinctive honor of Teacher of the Year in 2008-2009. She worked relentlessly to improve the education of her students, and during both years of teaching, her English students grew an average of over 2 grade levels in Reading and Vocabulary each year which propelled her students to begin closing their own achievement gap.
