(Washington, DC)-

Rep. Jason Altmire (PA-4) today announced staff hires for both his Washington, D.C. and district offices:

Washington, D.C. Office

Sharon Werner will serve as Rep. Altmire's Chief of Staff. Werner, a graduate of Stanford Law School and Penn State University, is a former litigation associate at the New York City law firm of Debevoise & Plimpton, LLP. Werner also served as a law clerk to the Hon. Barbara S. Jones of the Southern District of New York and was Finance Director for Jason Altmire's congressional campaign.

Erik Komendant has been drafted as Rep. Altmire's Legislative Director and will oversee all policy initiatives with a focus on health care and legislation before the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Prior to this, he was the Manager of Government Relations at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. Komendant returns to Capitol Hill after working for Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren (CA-16) from 2001 to 2003. He is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania.

Evan Brennan will serve as Legislative Assistant and will handle issues related to the House Committee on Small Business. Prior to joining Rep. Altmire's staff, Brennan was a Legislative Assistant for the Washington law firm of Olsson, Frank and Weeda P.C. Brennan is a graduate of Dartmouth College.

Bennett Reed will serve as Legislative Assistant and will handle issues related to the House Committee on Education and Labor. Reed, a former Teach for America Corps Member, was a math teacher at P.S. 15 Elementary School in the Bronx, NY. He also served as Constituency Group Director for Allegheny County Chief Executive Dan Onorato's 2003 campaign and was a Field Organizer for Jason Altmire's congressional campaign. Reed earned his B.A. from George Washington University and a Masters Degree from Pace University.

Lee Slater has been hired as Legislative Correspondent. Slater is a former Staff Sergeant in the United States Army and has recently served tours in Afghanistan and in Iraq. Prior to joining Rep. Altmire's staff, Slater was an Analyst at the Corporate Executive Board. Slater is a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh.

Carolyn Kahler will act as Scheduler for Rep. Altmire. Kahler served as former Deputy Finance Director for Jason Altmire's congressional campaign. She is a graduate of Indiana University of Pennsylvania.

Cara Toman will serve as Staff Assistant. Toman previously was a Staff Assistant at the National Mining Association after earning her B.A. from Miami University of Ohio.

District Staff

Michael Butler joins Rep. Altmire's staff as the District Director. Butler was the Western Pennsylvania Finance Director for Bob Casey's Senate campaign. He previously worked in the Government Affairs Division of Sanofi-Aventis and also served as Government Coordinator for Vista Financial Services, Inc. of McKeesport, PA, where he provided technical assistance and consulting services to community development non-profit organizations. Butler received his B.A. from Dickinson College, a J.D. from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law and a Masters Degree from the University of Pittsburgh School of Public and International Affairs.

Christina Stacey will guide the communications efforts for Rep. Altmire as his Communications Director. A graduate of Baldwin-Wallace College, Stacey began her career in public relations in the White House Department of Correspondence and later served as a press aide to Defense Secretary William S. Cohen. After returning to her western Pennsylvania roots, Stacey worked as Community Outreach Coordinator in the Lawrence County District Attorney's Office for former District Attorney Matthew T. Mangino. Most recently, Stacey was the Campaign Manager for Jason Altmire's congressional campaign.

Jennifer Buchanan Rapach will serve as Grants Coordinator for Rep. Altmire. Rapach will assist in securing federal funding for individuals, organizations and local governments within the district. Rapach is a former music educator in the North Allegheny School District. She earned a B.S. and a Masters Degree from Indiana University of Pennsylvania.

James Ferruchie will act as Rep. Altmire's Field Representative. Ferruchie will serve as a liaison to community groups, elected officials, nonprofit organizations and small businesses. Prior to his employment with Rep. Altmire, Ferruchie was the West Virginia Sales Manager for Economy Forms Corporation. He is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania.

Serronn Emerson has been hired as a Caseworker and will handle casework concerning Social Security and Medicare benefits. Emerson is a former Appraisal Operations Specialist with ATM Corporation of America. She is a graduate of Duffs Business School.

Beth Newman will serve as a Caseworker. Newman will assist constituents with requests regarding copyrights and trademarks, as well as those concerning the Internal Revenue Service, Federal Communications Commission, and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Newman is the former co-owner of Dandelions, a gift shop in the Lawrenceville neighborhood of Pittsburgh. Newman was also a former Infection Control Practitioner at Presbyterian Hospital and a Research Assistant at Children�s Hospital of Pittsburgh. Newman earned her B.S. from Duquesne University and a Masters Degree from the University of Pittsburgh.

Rep. Altmire also welcomes Dave Wexler as a Caseworker. Wexler will assist constituents with requests regarding student aid and Workman's Compensation. He will also assist with passport requests and issues concerning the Small Business Administration, FEMA, and the Equal Opportunity Commission. Prior to joining Rep. Altmire's staff, Wexler was a freelance medical writer and copy editor for advertising firms, as well as cutting-edge technology companies and chemical companies. Wexler is a graduate of the City College of New York.

"I am pleased to announce that we have assembled a strong team with the skills, experience and commitment necessary to help me best serve the people of Pennsylvania's Fourth Congressional District," stated Rep. Altmire. "These professionals bring with them a diverse mix of governmental, private sector and nonprofit experience. They will play a critical role in helping me tackle the challenges of the 110th Congress and in addressing the issues most important to the hardworking families of western Pennsylvania."

Rep. Altmire's main district office at 2110 McLean Street in Aliquippa is open for business-Monday-Friday 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., with extended hours every Wednesday from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Constituents may call (724) 378-0928 for assistance. A community open house is planned for March 24 from 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Rep. Altmire will also open a full-time district office in Natrona Heights in mid-March. Satellite offices are planned for Farrell, New Castle, Ellwood City, Cranberry and Ross Townships.