WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell today announced the appointment of Julie Adams as Secretary of the Senate – the chief legislative and financial officer in the United States Senate. An Iowa native with extensive experience in the Senate and in the George W. Bush White House, Ms. Adams succeeds Nancy Erickson, who has served as Secretary of the Senate since January 2007. McConnell will nominate Ms. Adams to be elected Secretary on Jan. 6, 2015, when the 114th Congress convenes.
 
McConnell also announced the appointment of Mary Suit Jones as Assistant Secretary of the Senate, a position she held from 2003 – 2007. Most recently, Ms. Jones was Republican Staff Director of the Senate Rules and Administration Committee, serving in that position from 2007 to the present.
 
“Julie is being appointed to a position of great trust and responsibility,” McConnell said. “And I’m confident that she will continue serving this institution and our colleagues with the skill and professionalism she’s demonstrated throughout her career in both the Senate and White House.”
 
Ms. Adams first joined the McConnell office in 2003, and from 2007-2009, served as a spokesperson in the press office of First Lady Laura Bush before returning to the McConnell office to lead administrative and member relations efforts. She received her undergraduate degree from Luther College in 1999 and a master’s degree in education in 2002 from the University of Iowa.
 
“I am honored and humbled to be appointed Secretary of the Senate and look forward to continuing the important work that this office – and its talented and committed staff – performs,” Ms. Adams said. “In the interim, Nancy Erickson and I will be working closely together to ensure a smooth transition in the new Congress.”
 
The Secretary of the Senate has the responsibility of maintaining the day-to-day functions of the Senate through a number of legislative, financial, and administrative duties, as well as coordinating two of the largest technology initiatives in Senate history -- bringing state-of-the-art efficiency to the management of legislative and financial information.
 
A Maryland native and 1989 graduate of the University of Maryland, Ms. Jones’s career in public service and politics has taken her from the Republican National Committee to the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy during President George H.W. Bush’s administration to her distinguished career in the Senate.
 
"The Senate is fortunate to have Mary return to this important role. Her expertise will help guide the efforts of the office as we transition to the 114th Congress,” McConnell said.
 
Ms. Jones said that, "I'm grateful for this opportunity to serve the Senate and look forward to once again working with the dedicated staff of the Secretary's office."