Hare names staff, O'Brien gets top spot

Hat's off to Pat.

(Updated 9:54 a.m.) Former Moline alderman and mayoral candidate Pat O’Brien has been picked to be the top congressional staffer to U.S. Rep.-elect Phil Hare, in the 17th District, Hare’s office said Wednesday.

O’Brien, who served on the Moline City Council for two terms and ran unsuccessfully for mayor last year, has been appointed the new district director. He was the field director for Hare's congressional campaign and is a member of Laborers Union Local 309. O’Brien, a graduate of Western Illinois University, has lived in Moline for more than 27 years.

Hare also picked a member of incoming House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer’s press office to lead his communications effort.

Tim Schlittner will run media operations for Hare out of Washington, D.C.

Schlittner, a graduate of Syracuse University, is familiar with the Quad-Cities. He worked for Bruce Braley’s 1st District campaign in Iowa during the 2006 campaign.

Also tapped today for senior staff positions:

* Andrew Rowe, as economic development director. Rowe, a Rock Island native with a master’s degree from the University of Iowa, is currently director of community rehab for Trinity Regional Health System. He will work in the district.

* Janna Berquist, as legislative director. She has served as a legislative assistant to U.S. Rep. Lane Evans, D-Ill., since last year. She is a graduate of the University of Oregon.

Hare has already picked Evans’ chief of staff, Dennis King, to serve in the same capacity for him. Eda Robinson, who has been Evans’ office manager for 20 years, will join Hare’s staff in the same capacity.

Berquist, King and Robinson will work out of Washington, D.C.