News

Washington,
D.C. –
U.S. Senator Marco Rubio announced his legislative staff hires today. Headed by
Sally Canfield who was named the Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy/Legislative
Director, this team will serve Senator Rubio on policy matters including but
not limited to his work on the Foreign Relations, Intelligence, Commerce and
Small Business committees.

“With
their diverse backgrounds and wide range of policy expertise, this team will
help us accomplish great things for the people of Florida as we pursue an
aggressive legislative agenda to enact the ideas we campaigned on during the
election. From repealing and replacing ObamaCare and tackling our debt crisis
to ensuring that America remains the strongest country in the world, Sally and
our legislative shop will be indispensable,” Senator Rubio said.

BACKGROUND
ON TODAY’S STAFF HIRE ANNOUNCEMENTS

Brian
W. Walsh – Deputy Legislative Director and National Security Advisor:  Walsh is the
chief policy advisor for defense and intelligence matters and part of Senator
Rubio’s foreign policy team.  Previously, Walsh worked for Senator George
LeMieux (R-FL) as his Legislative Director.  From 2007-2010, Walsh handled
all Senate Armed Services Committee work for Sen. LeMieux and Sen. Mel Martinez
(R-FL).  Walsh began his career on Capitol Hill in November 2001 as a
Legislative Assistant for Congressman Bill Young (FL-10).  Walsh is a
graduate of the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, MA.

Darren
Achord – Legislative Assistant (Commerce):  Achord
previously served as senior legislative assistant for Rep. Steve Scalise
(R-LA), focusing on Energy and Commerce Committee issues, including
telecommunications, as well as transportation, science and technology. Prior to
that, he served as a legislative correspondent for Rep. Bobby Jindal (R-LA). He
has a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from Louisiana State University
and a Bachelor’s Degree from The University of Alabama.

Victor
Cervino – Legislative Assistant (Foreign Relations):  Cervino served
as foreign policy assistant to Sens. Mel Martinez and George LeMieux.  He
provided analysis on the full range of foreign affairs legislation, including
U.S. policy in the Western Hemisphere and the Middle East, U.S. foreign
assistance initiatives, and international trade issues.  Previously, Cervino
worked as research assistant to the senior Latin American policy analyst at the
Heritage Foundation.  He graduated from Iowa State University in 2004 with
Bachelor of Arts degrees in Political Science and International Affairs.

Sara
Decker – Legislative Assistant (Agriculture, Energy and Environment):  Decker previously served as a legislative
assistant to Rep. John Shadegg (R-AZ) where she handled all energy,
environment, agriculture and transportation issues for the Congressman. 
She also served as the Congressman’s energy advisor for issues before the
Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming and the Committee on
Energy and Commerce.  Prior to that, Decker served as legislative aide on
the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee under Sen. Pete
Domenici.  She has both her Master’s and Bachelor’s Degrees in public
policy from the Georgia Institute of Technology.

J.
R. Sanchez – Director of Outreach, Legislative Assistant (Education, Labor,
Values and Veterans):  Prior to joining Senator Rubio’s United
States Senate staff, J.R. served as Rubio’s Faith Based Outreach Director and
Social Conservative Liaison during his campaign for Senate.  Sanchez’s
past appointments include Chief of Staff to the United States Special Counsel
and Senior Advisor for Rural Development at the United States Department of
Agriculture, both under President George W. Bush.  Sanchez also worked at
the Republican National Committee.  He received his Law Degree at the
Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C.

Jonathan
Slemrod – Legislative Assistant (Budget and Taxes):  Slemrod previously worked for Rep. Paul Ryan
(R-WI), Chairman of the House Budget Committee, and for Rep. Jeff Flake
(R-AZ).  He is a graduate of the University of Michigan, where he earned a
Bachelor of Arts in political science.