Rep. Sánchez announces promotions and staff additions to "Team Sánchez"
Washington, DC -- Congresswoman Linda Sánchez (CA-39) today announced the promotion and hiring of new staff for her offices in Washington and in California.
"I am proud to have assembled such a strong and experienced team who work hard for the people of California every day," said Congresswoman Linda Sánchez. "These staff members are all great assets to Team Sánchez and will serve the constituents of my district well."
In Washington:
Mercedes Salem is Congresswoman Sánchez' new Legislative Counsel. Previously, Salem worked in the office of Speaker Nancy Pelosi and served as a legislative fellow with Congressman Patrick Murphy. Prior to her work on Capitol Hill, Salem worked in Silicon Valley as a web development project manager for companies such as Fujitsu Inc. and as a consultant for Cisco Systems. While pursuing her law degree she worked at the Santa Clara District Attorney's Office and was a law clerk at the Department of Justice in Washington DC. Salem holds a B.S. in Anthropology from Santa Clara University and J.D. from Santa Clara University School of Law.
Marsha Catron joins the team as Sánchez' Communications Director. Prior to joining the office, Catron served as the traveling press secretary for New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson's presidential campaign. Before that, Catron worked as communications director at Santos Alliances, a leading public affairs firm in Texas. She also served as the acting executive director for the Board of Hispanic Caucus Chairs, and previously as a member of the communications team in the Office of the Governor of New Mexico. Catron holds an M.A. in Communication Studies from Texas State University in San Marcos, and a B.S. in Education from New Mexico State University.
Patrick Gibson serves as Legislative Correspondent/Legislative Assistant for Team Sánchez, handling constituent correspondence and overseeing environmental, energy and consumer protection issues as well as assisting on Spanish-language press matters. Previously Gibson worked as a staff assistant and then legislative correspondent before being promoted to his current position. He has also served as an intern in Rep. Jan Schakowsky's office. Gibson is a graduate of Carleton College in Northfield, Minnesota.
A native of the 39th District, from South Gate, CA, Angelina Mancillas is a Legislative Correspondent/Legislative Assistant handling constituent correspondence as well as legislative issues including health, water, science, Native American and women's issues. Mancillas was hired on as permanent staff after completing a fellowship with the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute. Previously, Mancillas worked as an assistant administrator for BasicHealth: El Salvador, an organization which conducts annual medical delegations to El Salvador. Mancillas attended Cerritos College and later U.C. Riverside where she majored in Political Science and Chicano Studies.
Andrew High was promoted to Staff/Press Assistant after serving seven months as the office's press intern. Previously, he worked as a press intern on Senator Chris Dodd's presidential campaign where he was responsible for daily afternoon press briefings. High is currently studying for his M.A. in Applied Politics at American University's School of Public Affairs.
In California:
Daisy Pizana, also a native of the 39th District, from South Gate, CA, was promoted to Casework Manager and Field Representative in the Congresswoman's district office in Cerritos. In that capacity, she stays closely tuned to local issues relating to education and youth in the district, including managing the office internship program. Prior to her present position, Pizana worked in the field of education working closely with English Language Learners. Pizana is a graduate of Mount St. Mary's College where she majored in French, History and Spanish and minored in Pre-Law. She is presently pursuing her Masters in Public Administration from the University of Southern California.
Joining the team as a Senior Field Representative and Grants Manager, is Thérèse A. Hughes. Prior to joining the office, Hughes worked at the Venice Family Clinic where she was responsible for government relations, legislative analysis and advocacy. Previously, she served a two year appointment on the National Wyden-Hatch Citizens' Health Care Working Group where she represented the State of California and the health care needs of under-served. Hughes has served as Chair of the Ventura County Grand Jury's Health, Education and Welfare Committee and as Board Member of the Environmental Defense Center in Santa Barbara, CA. She holds an M.A. in Urban Planning from UCLA.