WALSH ADDS STAFF AS NEW SESSION GEARS UP

(Washington D.C.)- Congressman Jim Walsh today officially announced recent staff changes:

Daniel Gage, 35, is the Congressman’s new Chief of Staff.  Gage, Walsh’s Communications Director based in his Syracuse, New York District Office since 2000, recently relocated to the Washington area with his family.  A Syracuse area native, Gage received his Bachelor’s degree from the College of the Holy Cross in 1993 and his Master’s degree in public administration from Syracuse University’s Maxwell School in 2005.  Prior to working for Walsh, he served as Director of Public Affairs for the City of Syracuse under then Mayor and current HUD Deputy Secretary Roy Bernardi. 

Gage replaces Arthur Jutton, Walsh’s longtime Administrative Assistant who retired in January after a thirty-seven year career in the House of Representatives.  In addition to serving as Walsh’s Administrative Assistant since the congressman was first elected in 1988, Jutton served as Administrative Assistant to former Upstate New York Congressmen Gerry Solomon and Gary Lee.  He began his House career working in the New York district of former Congressman John Terry and served as Field Representative for Congressman Walsh’s father, former Congressman Bill Walsh, from 1972 to 1978.  Jutton, 70, recently relocated from the Washington area back home to the Village of Fayetteville in NY-25.

Along with his new duties, Gage will remain Walsh’s primary media contact, overseeing the congressman’s media affairs operations in Washington and New York.

Brian Baluta, 29, is Walsh’s new Communications Director.  Based in the district, Baluta will be responsible for managing Walsh’s external, internal, and web-based communications, including interactive and new media services.  A Central New York native, Baluta comes to the Walsh team from the Metropolitan Development Association (MDA) of Syracuse and Central New York where he served as Director of Communications.  He holds significant public relations and communications experience, working for Franklin Templeton Investments, AXA Financial, Inc., and Moody’s Investors Service in New York City after receiving his Bachelor’s degree from Syracuse University’s Newhouse School of Public Communications in 1999.

Terre Dennis has rejoined Walsh’s operation as Staff Assistant in the Syracuse District Office.  Ms. Dennis most recently served as Office Manager in the Cortland, New York District Office of former Congressman Sherwood Boehlert.  From 1994 to 2002, she held the same position for Walsh when he represented Cortland, Tioga, and Broome Counties prior to New York’s 2002 reapportionment.  In her new position, Dennis will serve as a liaison for constituents with several federal government agencies and help advance Walsh’s in-district priorities.  Dennis attended Tompkins Cortland Community College and, in addition to her public service background, boasts significant private sector work and community volunteer experience.

Eric Schenck, 22, joins Walsh’s district staff as a part-time Staff Assistant.  A full-time student at Onondaga Community College, Schenck is a 2003 graduate of Liverpool High School and a former intern in the Syracuse District Office.  Schenck recently returned home from service in Iraq as a member of the 174th Fighter Wing, NYS Air National Guard.  He is charged with assisting the Congressman with special projects and constituent communications.

“I’ve been fortunate to have great staff over the years, and I’m especially pleased with this new line-up,” said Walsh.  “They are all very talented, dedicated individuals.  It’s good news for my constituents.”

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