Three aides in Rep. Joseph Crowley’s (D-N.Y.) office are moving up the ladder.

Shawn Hodjati, 23, was promoted from staff assistant to executive assistant and scheduler. A native of Bethesda, Hodjati graduated from the University of Maryland last May, where he studied political science and philosophy, and he began working as Crowley’s intern in September. He will handle all scheduling requests and assist the chief of staff in the daily operation of the office.

This is Hodjati’s first job out of college. “I love it,” he says.

So are they working him hard? “Well, I’d expect nothing less,” he says, the all-knowing voice of a new hire.

Crowley insists Hodjati has a promising career ahead of him: “He has proven himself to be a hard-working, essential part of our office and I am confident he will contribute immediately in his new role as scheduler.”

Jennifer Psaki, 26, is the new communications director. Before joining the office, she was deputy communications director for Sen. John Kerry’s (D-Mass.) presidential campaign in Iowa and later worked as the press secretary for the Kerry, Heinz and Edwards kids during the general election. Psaki hails from Stamford, Conn., but has close family ties to Crowley’s Queens district. She graduated from the college of William and Mary, majoring in English and sociology.

What was the campaign trail like? “It was a great experience,” Psaki says. “I traveled the country. I got to know some terrific young people. They [Vanessa and Alexandra Kerry, Kerry’s children, and Chris and Andre Heinz, children of Kerry’s wife, Teresa Heinz Kerry] did a lot to help humanize their dads. They all were on the campaign trail because they love their dad, and they saw their dad would be the next best president. They had never really been involved in his campaigns before.”

Psaki had the pleasure of meeting Ben Affleck, among other celebrities. “He was a great guy, very political, very interested in being involved,” she says. “Nice as could be. These people used their names to get out the word on issues they care about.”

Carlos Sanchez, 25, joined Crowley’s office after working on Rep. John Salazar’s (D-Colo.) congressional campaign in Pueblo and Grand Junction, Colo. Sanchez is a 2003 graduate of Texas A&M University and is fluent in Spanish. According to a press release, he helps the front office run smoothly and takes the lead on constituent tours.

Crowley says that Psaki and Sanchez “bring a skill set that is essential to my continued involvement and success as a member of the Democratic leadership.”

Burr’s additions to committee

Sen. Richard Burr (R-N.C.) is making some changes to his subcommittee staff.

For starters, Dr. Bob Kadlec will be the staff director of the subcommittee. A recent retiree from the Air Force, Kadlec recently completed three years of service at the White House as the director of biodefense preparedness and response at the Homeland Security Council, where he worked on the national smallpox vaccination policy. He graduated from the United States Air Force Academy, later graduating from medical school at the Uniformed Service University of the Health Sciences.

Jenny Hansen will serve as health-policy director. For more than six years, Hansen has assisted Burr on healthcare legislation. She graduated magna cum laude from Duke University with a degree in public policy.

Finally, Kendall Byrum will be a staff assistant. A former intern in Burr’s congressional office, Byrum graduated from Meredith College with a degree in political science. She was previously employed at Meyers & Associates in Washington, D.C.