U.S. Rep.-elect Bruce Westerman, R-Hot Springs, announced five hires Wednesday, including four Arkansans, to serve in his Fourth District Washington, D.C., office:
- Jonathan Shuffield, Washington, D.C., named legislative director. Shuffield currently serves as executive director of the Congressional Western Caucus and as legislative assistant to U.S. Rep. Steve Pearce, who serves the Second District of New Mexico. Previously, Shuffield served as a field representative for the McCain-Palin campaign in 2008, based in Little Rock. His portfolio will include issues related to the Committee on Natural Resources, which Westerman will serve on. Shuffield is a graduate of the University of Texas.
- Michael A. Lambert, Conway, named legislative assistant. Lambert most recently served as political director for Westerman's campaign, and held senior roles in the Arkansas GOP Victory program in 2008, 2010 and 2012. He worked at Southwestern Energy from 2012-13 in the Water Transfer Division. Lambert will primarily work on budget committee issues. He is a graduate of the University of Central Arkansas.
- Jefferson D. Deming, El Dorado, named legislative assistant. Deming served as the Texarkana field director for the Arkansas GOP Victory campaign in 2014. He was also the finance coordinator at the National Republican Senatorial Committee, in the office of former Majority Leader Eric Cantor, and abroad as part of Manna Project International in Ecuador. Deming is a graduate of Vanderbilt University.
- Victoria L. Bell, Mena, named legislative correspondent. Bell is currently program associate for trustee affairs at the American Council of Trustees & Alumni. She will oversee Westerman's Washington-based college intern program. Bell is a graduate of Washington & Lee University.
- J. Cody Burkham, Hope, named legislative correspondent. Burkham served as field director for the Westerman campaign. He also interned in the office of U.S. Rep. Rick Crawford. Burkham will serve as the agricultural liaison.
