Chairwoman McClain Announces Senior Leadership Team
Washington,
January 3, 2025
Today, House Republican Conference Chairwoman Lisa McClain (MI-09) announced the House Republican Conference Senior Staff.
Nick Hawatmeh – Chief of Staff Since January 2021, Hawatmeh has served as McClain’s Chief of Staff. He was previously the Chief Counsel to U.S. Senator John Kennedy (R-LA) and Counsel on the U.S. House Committee on House Administration. He is from Macomb County, Michigan, and received his undergraduate degree in Political Science from Wayne State University and J.D. from the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law. Jake Ronan – Deputy Chief of Staff Previously, Ronan was a former political appointee during the Trump Administration and Director of Scheduling and Operations for McClain. Ronan is from Marblehead, Massachusetts, and received his undergraduate degrees in History and Political Science from the College of Holy Cross and his M.A. in Security and Diplomacy from Tel Aviv University. Zach Barnett – Communications Director Barnett was most recently the Communications Director for U.S. Senator Roger Wicker (R-MS) and the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee. Previously, he was the Communications Director for U.S. Congressman Garret Graves (R-LA), a political appointee at the U.S. Small Business Administration, and held several other roles in congressional offices and on federal campaigns. He is from Covington, Louisiana, and received his undergraduate degree in Political Communication from Louisiana State University and master’s degree in Legislative Affairs from The George Washington University. Alyssa Erdel – Director of Member Services Erdel previously served as the Director of Member Services for the House Republican Conference under Chairwoman Elise Stefanik (R-NY), the House Appropriations Committee under Chairwoman Kay Granger (R-TX), and the Committee on House Administration, serving under three different Chairs including Gregg Harper (R-MS), Candice Miller (R-MI), and Dan Lungren (R-CA). Originally from Massachusetts, Erdel holds an undergraduate degree in Political Science and Justice Studies from the University of New Hampshire. Tara Hupman – General Counsel Hupman was most recently the Chief Counsel for the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee. Previously, she served on the U.S. House Natural Resources and Transportation and Infrastructure committees. Hupman also worked on the U.S. Senate Small Business and Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs committees. Hupman is originally from Tennessee and received her undergraduate degree from Freed-Hardeman University and her J.D. from American University. Erik Kinney – Policy Director Since January 2021, Kinney has served as McClain’s Legislative Director. Previously, he was the Legislative Director for U.S. Congressman James Sensenbrenner (R-WI). Kinney is originally from Brookfield, Wisconsin, and received his undergraduate degree in Political Science from Marquette University. Garrett Puckett – Coalitions Director Since January 2021, Puckett has worked for McClain. He most recently served as the Director of Member Services and Legislative Assistant while McClain was the House GOP Conference Secretary. Prior to his time with McClain, Puckett also worked for U.S. Senator Kennedy (R-LA). He is originally from Wallingford, Connecticut, and received his undergraduate degree in Political Science and Government from Endicott College and master’s degree in Legislative Affairs from The George Washington University. Anderson Okoniewski – Senior Advisor Previously, Okoniewski was the Director of Operations and Scheduling at the House Republican Conference for Stefanik. Prior to working for Stefanik, Okoniewski held the same role while working for U.S. Congressman David Kustoff (R-TN). She is originally from Fort Plain, New York, and received her undergraduate degree in Political Science and Government from the State University of New York Cortland. |