Congressman Tom Cole (OK-04) announced staff changes and promotions to his D.C. legislative staff.
Shane Hand will be starting a new position at America’s Health Insurance Plans as the Vice President of Federal Affairs. Hand has served as Cole’s Legislative Director since December 2021 and formerly as Cole’s Senior Policy Advisor on Health in 2021 and Legislative Assistant handling health, education and tax issues, among others, from 2019-2021.
“Shane’s success throughout the last five years working in my office cannot be overstated,” said Cole. “He has been an exceptional leader to the entire legislative team and in integral advisor to me on health and education issues, especially during my time as the top Republican on the LHHS-Education Appropriations Subcommittee. He will be missed by my entire team, the many congressional staffers and advocates with whom he interacted and certainly by me, but he has certainly earned this next chapter and I look forward to seeing what he accomplishes next.”
Sofia Deiro will be promoted from Legislative Assistant to Legislative Director. Deiro has worked in Cole’s D.C. office since 2020 in various positions. As Legislative Assistant, she specialized in Tribal issues. Lauren Ketchum will also be promoted to Legislative Assistant. Ketchum previously interned in Cole’s D.C. office during the summer of 2022 and was later hired on as a permanent staff member in February 2023 as Legislative Correspondent.
“I am proud to congratulate both Sofia and Lauren on their well-deserved promotions. Both have shown tremendous professional growth in just a few short years. Sofia has been passionate about the issues within her portfolio, and I know this will translate into her new leadership role. Lauren has done a phenomenal job as Legislative Correspondent, I know she will do a fantastic job with taking on additional responsibilities and moving up within the legislative team.”
Finally, Cole will welcome an additional team member, Lieutenant Commander John Peach, who will serve as his Defense Fellow as part the Department of Defense Legislative Fellow Program until the end of this year. Peach is a Yuma, Arizona native and is currently earning his commission through the Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps (NROTC) program. He has a lengthy list of naval assignments, including his most recent as a lead exercise planner for Commander, conducting Strike Group integration and training.
“I am also delighted to welcome John to my team as this year’s military fellow. I am proud to represent roughly 1300 sailors serving at the Fourth District’s Tinker Air Force Base through the TACAMO mission, and I look forward to the unique perspective John will bring.”
Adam Sullivan will continue to serve as Senior Policy Advisor, Will McPherson will continue to serve as State Policy Advisor and Zach Kensinger will continue to serve as Legislative Assistant.
