Key facts
- Nick Hawatmeh was named Chief of Staff for the House Republican Conference.
- Jake Ronan was named Deputy Chief of Staff for the House Republican Conference.
- Alyssa Erdel was named Director of Member Services for the House Republican Conference.
- Zach Barnett was named Communications Director for the House Republican Conference.
- Tara Hupman was named General Counsel for the House Republican Conference.
- Erik Kinney was named Policy Director for the House Republican Conference.
House Republican Conference Chairwoman Lisa McClain (MI-09) announced her senior leadership team on January 13, 2025. Nick Hawatmeh will serve as Chief of Staff, a role he previously held for McClain since January 2021. Hawatmeh's prior experience includes Chief Counsel to U.S. Senator John Kennedy (R-LA) and Counsel on the U.S. House Committee on House Administration.
Jake Ronan has been appointed Deputy Chief of Staff. Ronan previously served as a political appointee during the Trump Administration and was Director of Scheduling and Operations for McClain. Zach Barnett will be the Communications Director, having most recently served in the same capacity for U.S. Senator Roger Wicker (R-MS) and the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee.
Alyssa Erdel has been named Director of Member Services. She previously held the Director of Member Services role for the House Republican Conference under Chairwoman Elise Stefanik (R-NY), and also served on the House Appropriations Committee and the Committee on House Administration. Tara Hupman will serve as General Counsel, most recently as Chief Counsel for the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee. Erik Kinney has been appointed Policy Director, having served as McClain’s Legislative Director since January 2021. Garrett Puckett will be Coalitions Director, having worked for McClain since January 2021 in roles including Director of Member Services and Legislative Assistant.