WASHINGTON, D.C. – On Thursday, U.S. Congressman Mike Waltz (FL-6) announced new updates to his leadership team and staff for the 118th Congress.
“I am proud that we have established an office culture of advancement and retention by hiring dedicated staff while also bringing in new team members with policy expertise,” said Waltz. “I look forward to working with my staff to ensure Floridians’ best interests are looked after both in Washington, DC and in our home district.”
James Hewitt has been promoted to Deputy Chief of Staff and will retain his duties as Communications Director. James has served as Communications Director since January 2021 and was previously Associate Administrator for the Office of Public Affairs at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Prior to joining EPA, he was a senior advisor in Office of Global Public Affairs at the Department of State.
Thomas Boodry was named Legislative Director in November 2022 after serving as Legislative Director for U.S. Congressman Tony Gonzales (TX-23) since January 2021. A Florida native, Thomas previously worked as a Legislative Aide for U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (FL), where he focused on appropriations, judiciary, homeland security, and veteran affairs issues. Thomas succeeds Walker Barrett, who is now a Professional Staff Member for the House Armed Services Committee where he continues to work with Rep. Waltz in his capacity as Chairman of the Subcommittee on Readiness.
Andrew Peek has been named National Security Advisor after working as a senior fellow at the Atlantic Council since November 2020 where he focused on Middle East programs and led a European-sponsored regional peace initiative. Andrew previously served as Senior Director for European Affairs at the National Security Council (NSC), where he was the lead official responsible for coordinating policy on Europe, Russia, and NATO. Prior to joining the NSC, Andrew served as the Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Iraq and Iran, where he was one of the lead diplomats responsible for Iraq and Iran policy. He also previously served as a Legislative Assistant for U.S. Senator Mike Johanns (NE), where he was the senator’s primary advisor on military, intelligence, and foreign policy issues. Andrew is U.S. Army veteran, having served as an intelligence officer in the Army Reserves and deployed to Afghanistan from 2011-2012 as a special advisor to General John Allen.
Carl Schuler has been promoted to Legislative Aide after previously serving as a Legislative Correspondent since January 2019. Carl’s issue portfolio includes education, financial services, housing, cryptocurrency, insurance, national parks and recreation, tax policy, and telecommunications and technology.
Emma Scheidt has been promoted to Legislative Correspondent where she leads constituent correspondence on issues of concern after previously serving as a Staff Assistant since November 2021.
Brandi Anderson has been hired full-time as a constituent service representative in Rep. Waltz’s Ormond Beach district office. Brandi previously served as a Gold Star fellow where she handled case work concerning veteran and military issues.
