Adam Yust is the Intern Coordinator and a Staff Assistant for Sen. Franken's Washington, D.C. office. Born and raised in Saint Paul, Adam went to school at Webster Magnet, Highland Junior High and Saint Paul Central High School, before attending the University of Minnesota Morris. At college Adam studied political science and was involved in the campus renewable energy initiative.

As Adam became more politically aware in the 2000s, the 9/11 attacks, the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and Senator Wellstone's death all made him more active in political discussions and in learning about how current events and decision in Washington D.C. were impacting his future.

Before joining Sen. Franken's office Adam interned for the city of St. Paul. He started in Sen. Franken's St. Paul office as an intern in August of 2009 and was hired later that month. Adam moved to Sen. Franken's Washington, D.C. office in June of 2012.

Asked about his favorite part of working for a U.S. Senator he said:

In addition to Sen. Franken and his great team, my favorite part of working for Sen. Franken is that there is something new happening everyday. It is great to work in an environment that his challenging and where I get to help people.

Alana Peterson oversees Sen. Franken's in-state operations as the Minnesota State Director. Originally from White Bear Lake outside St. Paul, Alana now lives in Pine City in the 8th district. She attended Lincoln Elementary and White Bear Senior high before going to the University of Minnesota Morris. At college, Alana studied Political Science and Speech Communications. But her attraction to politics started much earlier.

As a young girl Alana wrote to President Carter and in fifth grade organized her neighborhood for a gubernatorial race. She has always been a strong supporter of the political process and believes that, "in a country founded on democracy everyone should have their basic needs met, treated fair and just, and have equal opportunities to success."

Before Sen. Franken was seated in the Senate, Alana was involved in both his campaign and the protracted recount. Prior to that spent several years working for Chairman Oberstar in the 8th district and did political consulting for congressional candidates and labor unions around the country.

Her favorite part about working for Sen. Franken is, "how passionate and thoughtful the Senator is about the issues. He truly cares about people of Minnesota and making things better. I also really enjoy getting to learn more about the people and places in our state. Plus, I enjoy my coworkers."

Lisa Fobbe is Senator Franken's Central Minnesota Field Representative. She works out of the St. Cloud office and meets with constituent and interest groups to help them with any problems they might have with federal agencies. While travelling around 16 counties, she is the bridge between Central Minnesota counties, cities, schools, chambers, businesses, farmers, and constituents and the Senator.

A native of Long Lake Minnesota, Lisa attended neighboring Orono high school and went on to study social work at the College of St. Benedict in St. Joseph and public policy at the Humphrey institute at the University of Minnesota. She now lives in Zimmerman.

She was elected to the Minnesota Senate in 2008 and served on the Senate's Agriculture and Veterans Committee, the Environment and Natural Resources Committee, and the Education Committee. Prior to that, she served on the Princeton School board for eight years, where she was chair for two years. She has also served on the Minnesota School Board Association and the Minnesota State High School League Board, as well as the Anoka-Ramsey Community Foundation Board.

She was first draw to politics after being elected to the Princeton School Board in 2000. "After serving for a number of years, I realized that I could make more of an impact in public education through the political system and decided to run for the state Senate.

"I have spent many years fostering relationships in this region. I am honored to continue my support of Central Minnesota through Senator Franken's office. I admire the Senator's work and his commitment to improving the lives of Minnesotan's."

Matt Croaston was born in Robbinsdale, Minnesota and attended Minneapolis South High. He holds degrees from the University of Minnesota-Morris, where he majored in Political Science with a minor in Spanish, and The Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota, where he got his Masters degree in Urban Planning.

In the Minnesota office, Matt is repsonisible for helping consituences with any problems they might be havinng with federal agencies. He works on  Medicare, Medicaid, Healthcare, Social Security, Unemployment, and Housing Casework. He also works with businesses and institutions to secure federal grants.

Matt first became interested in politics when he was a freshman in college and attended a vigil to honor the late Senator Paul Wellstone.

Truthfully, at this point I was rather disengaged from the political process outside of the ballot I cast bi-annually. However, in attending a vigil in the wake of Senator Wellstone's passing I experienced the recounting of man who had an undying  passion and devotion to enhancing the quality of each other’s lives (as individuals) as well as the community (Minnesota) as a whole. I was simply inspired and began to see government and the political sphere as a vehicle for ensuring equity and equality and promoting a higher standard of living for all.

I appreciate the opportunity to meet Minnesotans from all over the state. I really enjoy working on the wide variety of issues that come up and finding ways that government can improve people’s lives.

Mohammad Ali is the Legislative Correspondent for Foreign Policy, National Security, and Defense related issues in the Washington DC office. Originally from Plymouth Minnesota, Mohammad attended Wayzata High School and graduated from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities with a degree in Political Science.

Mohammad started out as an intern on Sen. Franken's 2008 campaign and moved to Washington D.C. in January, 2010 to work in Sen. Franken's office. After joining the staff he was quickly promoted to Staff Assistant and then Legislative Correspondent due to his hard work and commitment.

"It was my admiration for our political system that originally drew me towards working in politics," he said. "Time and time again, our system of government, and passionate individuals like Senator Franken, have proven themselves by helping people realize the American dream."

With almost 16 years of Congressional experience, Greg Buhr knows that even the "small victories" are important when helping Minnesotans who call Sen. Franken for help. When a frantic nurse needed a passport quickly to travel to assist earthquake victims in Haiti, Greg expedited the six-week process into three days, and she left the same week.

"When people contact us, they often are frustrated or confused, and don't know where else to turn," he said. "The Senator is committed to helping them, and I get great satisfaction helping him keep that commitment." Each month, hundreds of Minnesotans contact Sen. Franken for help with issues as varied as Social Security, Medicare, student loans, housing, or veterans health care. Greg and his staff of Constituent Service Representatives must understand how each federal agency works.

"We have to be good listeners, get to the heart of a constituent's problem, and then work through the process to help them," he said. "When they get the help they need, it's very satisfying."