WASHINGTON, D.C. – House Majority Whip-elect Steve Scalise (LA-01) today announced the staff for the Office of the Majority Whip and his personal office.  Scalise becomes House Majority Whip on July 31st.

Office of the Majority Whip

Lynnel Ruckert, Chief of Staff to the Majority Whip: Lynnel previously served as Chief of Staff to Congressman Steve Scalise (LA-01) in his personal office.  She’s held the position since Scalise was elected in 2008.  Prior to joining Team Scalise, she worked for then-Congressmen David Vitter (LA-01) and Bobby Jindal (LA-01).  Lynnel began her career on the Hill in the House Energy and Commerce Committee.  She is a graduate of the University of Louisiana at Monroe.

Parker Hamilton Poling, Chief of Staff to the Chief Deputy Whip: Parker has served as Chief of Staff to Rep. Patrick McHenry (NC-10) since 2007.  Parker has previously worked for the House Education and the Workforce Committee and in the White House Office of Media Affairs under President George W. Bush.  From 1999 to 2001, Parker was the Executive Director of the College Republican National Committee.  Parker is a graduate of Brown University and received her J.D. from the George Washington University Law School.

Bill Hughes, Policy Director: Bill joins the Office of the Majority Whip from the Retail Industry Leaders Association, where he was the Executive Vice President of Government Affairs.  A 27 year veteran of Capitol Hill, Bill served House Speaker Dennis Hastert (IL-14) as Policy Director for six years.  He went on to serve as Staff Director for the Senate Republican Policy Committee.  Bill has also worked as Chief of Staff to former Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX); Staff Director for the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee; and early in his career worked for the Senate Budget Committee and the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.  Bill is a graduate of Augustana College and received his master’s degree from the University of Texas at Austin.

Eric Zulkosky, Director of Member Services and Policy Advisor:  Eric served in Rep. Scalise’s personal office as Legislative Director.  Prior to joining Scalise, Eric worked as an aide to U.S. Sen. Mike Johanns (R-NE) and began his career on the Hill with U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Dole (R-NC).  Eric is a graduate of Valparaiso University. He received his master’s degree from George Mason University.

Brett Horton, Director of Floor Operations and Counsel: Brett joins the Office of the Majority Whip after serving as Policy Director and Counsel with the Republican Study Committee under Chairman Scalise.  Prior to his tenure with the RSC, Brett served as Legislative Counsel to Rep. Scalise.  Brett is a graduate of Louisiana State University and received his J.D. from Loyola University College of Law.

Bart Reising, Director of Operations: Bart comes to the Office of the Majority Whip after serving both the Republican Study Committee and the personal office of Rep. Scalise as Director of Operations and Member Services.  Prior to joining Team Scalise, Bart worked for U.S. Representatives Bill Flores (TX-17) and Austin Scott (GA- 8).  Bart is a graduate of the University of Mississippi.

Nicole Gustafson, Legislative Counsel: Nicole joins the Whip operation after working for Leader Eric Cantor in the Office of Majority Leader and also in the House Republican Whip’s office.  Prior to working in House leadership, Nicole worked in the Senate.  She began her career on Capitol Hill as Legislative Counsel to Rep. Steve King (IA- 4).  Nicole is a graduate of William Penn University and she received her J.D. from the University of Iowa College of Law.

Matthew Bravo, Deputy Floor Director:  Matt comes from the House Energy and Commerce Committee. Prior to his time with E&C, he worked for Leader Eric Cantor in the Office of the Majority Leader and also in the House Republican Whip’s office.  Matt is a graduate of Lynchburg College.

Marty Reiser, Legislative Counsel: Marty comes to the Office of the Majority Whip from the House Ways and Means Committee where he was a Professional Staff Member on the Subcommittee on Health.  Marty has also served as Chief of Staff and Budget Committee Associate to former Rep. Dan Miller (FL-13).  His private sector experience includes the government policy office for Xerox Corporation and the think tank Citizens for a Sound Economy.  Marty is a graduate of the College of the Holy Cross and received his master’s degree from the George Washington University Elliott School of International Affairs. He received his J.D. from George Mason School of Law.

TJ Tatum, Deputy Communications Director: TJ joins the Office of the Majority Whip after most recently serving as the Communications Director to both the Republican Study Committee and Rep. Scalise in his personal office.  He came to Team Scalise from the office of Rep. Vern Buchanan (FL-16) and began his career on Capitol Hill with former Rep. Quico Canseco (TX-23).  TJ is a graduate of Boston College.

Chris Hodgson, Floor Assistant:  Chris will join the Office of the Majority Whip after advising Rep. Scalise on policy in his personal office.  Chris is a graduate of the University of Virginia.

Andrew Cavazos, Scheduler: Joins the Office of the Majority Whip after working for the Republican Study Committee under Chairman Steve Scalise.  Andrew is a graduate of Louisiana State University.

Megan Becker, Assistant to the Chief of Staff: Megan joins the Office of the Majority Whip after serving Rep. Scalise in his personal office.  She previously interned in the Republican Cloakroom.  Megan is a graduate of Michigan State University.

Brenden DeLuke, Special Assistant: Brenden joins the Office of the Majority Whip after working for the Republican Study Committee under Chairman Steve Scalise.  Brenden is a graduate of the College of Charleston.

Tanner Black, Special Assistant to the Chief Deputy Whip:  Tanner joins the Office of the Chief Deputy Whip after having recently graduated from Elon University.

Office of the First District of Louisiana

Charles Henry, Personal Office Chief of Staff: A New Orleans native, Charles previously served as Deputy Chief of Staff to Rep. Scalise.  He has worked for Rep. Scalise since his time in the Louisiana State Legislature.  Charles graduated from Loyola University New Orleans, where he also received his J.D.

Darren Achord, Personal Office Deputy Chief of Staff and Legislative Director: Hailing from Baton Rouge, Darren is returning to Team Scalise from the office of Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL).  Darren previously advised Rep. Scalise on policy and prior to that then-Congressman Bobby Jindal.  Darren is a graduate of the University of Alabama and received his master’s degree from Louisiana State University.

Erika McManus, Press Secretary:  A native of Baton Rouge and graduate of Louisiana State University, Erika joined the office of Rep. Scalise and the Republican Study Committee as Deputy Communications Director.  Prior to her work on Capitol Hill, Erika worked for FOX News Channel in the DC Bureau.  Erika also received her MBA from LSU.

Geoffrey Green, Senior Legislative Assistant: A New Orleans native and graduate of Southeastern Louisiana University, Geoff advises Rep. Scalise on Louisiana issues including transportation, Army Corps of Engineers, coastal restoration projects, and emergency and water management policy.  

John Seale, Legislative Counsel: John came to Team Scalise from the Office of Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX).  Prior to his work in the Senate, John worked at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission during the George W. Bush Administration.  He has also worked for Rep. John Culberson (TX-7) and former Rep. Bill Archer (TX-7).  John is a graduate of Rhodes College and received his master’s degree from the University of Texas at Austin.  He received his J.D. from St. Mary’s University School of Law.

David Coffield, Legislative Assistant: David has served in the office of Rep. Scalise for over a year.  He joined Team Scalise from the office of Rep. Chip Cravaack (MN-8).  David is a graduate of Samford University and a native of Tennessee.