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Energy lobbyist crosses the aisle to lead Hurd staff

Posted by Jenna Ebersole on Jan. 12, 2015

Rep. Will Hurd (R-Texas) has started his first term in Congress by reaching across the aisle. At least, that is, with the hiring of a staffer who once worked in Congress for a Democrat.

Stoney Burke serves as the new chief of staff for Hurd and comes back to the Hill from Southern Co. He worked for Texas Democrat Rep. Chet Edwards, a political moderate, between 2006 and 2008 before registering to lobby for six years with the electric utility holding company.

Burke was an aide and legislative assistant to Edwards after leaving a previous lobbying job with Meyers and Associates Inc., where he filed to lobby between 2004 and 2005.

Most recently, Burke lobbied on a range of energy issues, including emissions regulations, unmanned aerial vehicles in electric utility service work and tax reform.

He earned a bachelor's from Texas A&M University in 2003, beginning there in 1999, and lobbied on behalf of the university's research foundation before his first congressional job. Hurd also holds a degree from Texas A&M, graduating in 2000.

Some people and organizations who "caught our eye" last week:

Trending Staffers› learn more

Riva Belle Litman, Communications Director for Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-Wash.) (current staffer) – Bravo!
New year, new job
Chance McNeely, Policy Adviser at Louisiana Office of the Governor (former staffer) – Bravo!
Takes a chance with the environment
Chris Tudor, Deputy Legislative Director for Rep. Tom McClintock (R-Calif.) (current staffer) – Uh oh!
Who Dey did what?
Curtis D. Swager, Legislative Director for Sen. Cory Gardner (R-Colo.) (current staffer) – Bravo!
Moves up, earns his name
Drew Willison, Sergeant at Arms and Doorkeeper (current staffer) – Bravo!
The job isn't what it once was

Hill Hires

Marc A. Cevasco, Rep. Ted Lieu (D-CA), Chief of Staff
Clifford Smith (Cliff), Rep. Gary Palmer (R-AL), Communications Director
Dwayne D. Carson, Rep. Mark Walker (R-NC), Legislative Director

Hill Departures

Timothy Benck Aiken (Tim), now Director of Congressional Affairs for National Endowment for the Humanities, formerly Legislative Director to Rep. Jim Moran (D-VA)
Peter M. O'Rourke, now Founder for Americans for Efficient Government, formerly Senior Policy Adviser to Rep. Tom Latham (R-IA)
Sarah K. Freeman, now Legislative Assistant for Polsinelli PC, formerly Staff Assistant/Scheduler to Rep. Tim Bishop (D-NY)

Hill Moves and Promotions

Brandon Aubrey Batch, now Legislative Assistant for Rep. Michael McCaul (R-TX)
(formerly Legislative Correspondent)
Jason L. Grassie, now Legislative Director for Rep. Frank D. Lucas (R-OK)
(formerly Legislative Assistant)
Walter F. Zaykowski, now Communications Director for Rep. Michael McCaul (R-TX)
(formerly Deputy Communications Director)

Revolvers

Rachel A. Stanley Nguyen,
Lobbies for: Principal Financial Group
Most recent congressional employment: Rep. Ron Kind (D-WI)
Scott C. Hommel,
Lobbied for: Peduzzi Associates Ltd., National Guard Association of the United States
Current employment: Rep. Ryan Zinke (R-MT)
Elise N. Tollefson (Elise),
Lobbied for: APCO Worldwide Inc.
Current employment: Rep. Randy Hultgren (R-IL)

StormFeed press release of the week

Zinke vs. Boehner

A Friendly Wager in Tonight’s College Football National Championship Game

Top hashtags of the week

#keystonexl – (398 mentions)
#charliehebdo – (196 mentions)
#goldenglobes – (167 mentions)
#timetobuild – (159 mentions)
#114thcongress – (153 mentions)