Congressional offices that successfully integrate casework and legislative operations have superpowers: casework teams have rich insight into program implementation (including direct agency contacts) that can be an important source of information for legislation and oversight, and legislative teams can help contextualize and address the systemic challenges that bog down casework teams. New tools from the House are poised to supercharge this relationship by offering teams more tools to analyze their casework data to identify trends and patterns.
But these relationships are not always easy to set up and maintain. In this event, experienced and effective casework-legislative staff pairs will share stories of successful collaborations, and offer insights into how to supercharge the relationship between casework and legislative staff.
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SPEAKERS
Crystal Gilbert is the Director of Constituent Services for Congressman Barry Loudermilk [R, GA]. Her federal service started as a case worker for Congressman Tom Graves [R, GA] in 2010 and she joined Congressman Loudermilk’s office in 2015. Her goal is to see that constituents are assisted professionally and promptly, while making sure they are comfortable and do not feel intimidated by dealing with a Congressional office, federal agency, or even state/local government offices.
In addition to leading the Constituent Services team, Crystal also oversees the Service Academy process for Congressman Loudermilk’s district. Congressman Loudermilk’s Constituent Services team also host a yearly Skills Trade event for district high school students along with the annual Congressional App and Art competitions. In addition to working on federal issues, Crystal has worked hard to cultivate strong Georgia government partners so constituents can be quickly referred and assisted with state issues.
Before working with the House of Representatives she worked in local government with the Gordon County Clerk of Court, the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, and 12 years as a paralegal. She also co-owned a portrait studio with her husband, Shane.
Crystal received a Bachelor of Science in Social Science from Shorter College, Rome, Georgia. Crystal and Shane reside in Calhoun, Georgia and in her free time she enjoys gardening.
Eric Johnson is the Senior Advisor for Defense and Foreign Affairs to Congressman Barry Loudermilk [R, GA]. Eric leads the Congressman’s national security policy portfolio, including defense, foreign affairs, intelligence, veterans’ affairs, and defense appropriations. He was named to his current position in January 2023.
In his time advising the Congressman on defense matters, Eric has been responsible for the congressman’s role in leading the largest C-130J procurement letter in the House of Representatives. Starting as a letter of support of concurrent fielding for Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard C-130 recapitalization, the effort has grown to include Navy Reserve, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and TACAMO with the support of Members of Congress from across the nation.
Prior to serving as the Senior Advisor for Defense and Foreign Affairs, Eric led various policy matters for Congressman Loudermilk including transportation, infrastructure, trade, judiciary, space, technology, telecommunications, healthcare, energy, natural resources, education, and small business. Eric joined the Congressman’s team in 2017 as a field representative.
He is a proud graduate of Kennesaw State University, where he received his Bachelor of Science in Political Science, and recently recognized in the university’s 40 Under 40 inaugural class. Eric resides in Cartersville, Georgia.
Ashleigh Padgett serves as Deputy Chief of Staff and Legislative Director to Congressman Barry Loudermilk [R, GA]. In her current role, she leads the Congressman’s legislative team and the implementation of his legislative priorities. Her legislative portfolio includes Congressman Loudermilk’s Financial Services Committee work, as well as tax and trade policy. She previously handled the Congressman’s work on the Committee on House Administration. Ashleigh holds a Master of Public Policy from George Mason University and a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Government from Wofford College. She is originally from South Carolina and currently resides in Alexandria, Virginia. In her spare time, she enjoys walks with her dog, Eugene, traveling, and cheering on DC United.
Yuri Beckelman, a seasoned Congressional staffer with nearly two decades of experience on Capitol Hill, currently serves as Chief of Staff for Representative Maxwell Frost [D, FL]. A San Francisco native, Yuri began his career as a Staff Assistant to then-Speaker Nancy Pelosi [D, CA]. His extensive experience includes roles as Staff Director for the Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress and Deputy Chief of Staff to Representative Mark Takano [D, CA], where he advocated for enhancing Congress' science and technology capabilities. Yuri's career also includes time as a Senior Advisor to the House Committee on Veterans Affairs, demonstrating his broad expertise in legislative affairs and commitment to improving Congressional operations.
MODERATOR
Anne Meeker is Deputy Director of POPVOX Foundation, and a former House caseworker. She was a founding member of the POPVOX Foundation team as Director of Special Initiatives. She previously served as Director of Constituent Services for Congressman Seth Moulton, where she worked to use data and technology to deliver smarter casework services to residents of the MA06. Anne holds a bachelor's degree in Anthropology from the University of Oxford (St. Hugh's College), and an MSc in History from the London School of Economics. She is also a proud Clevelander, and will take any opportunity to talk up the Rust Belt.