Announcements, May 13, 2009

National Federation of Independent Business announces promotion: Amanda Austin was promoted to director of the federal public policy senate for the National Federation of Independent Business. Austin joined the NFIB in March 2003. She’s worked on and off Capitol Hill for years but recently has been a fixture in healthcare reform efforts for NFIB. She also has become a leading voice for small businesses and a major player on Senate health reform efforts.

Senate committee hires Williams College grad: The Senate Energy Committee has hired Allison Seyferth to its front office. The Williams College alumna joined the committee in March after graduating cum laude with a degree in political economy. A native of Vermont, Seyferth enjoys skiing and making her own maple syrup. Since getting used to D.C.’s warmer weather, Seyferth has added running and Latin dance to her list of after-work activities.

{mosads}Senator adds to Healthcare Policy Staff: Sen. Kent Conrad (D-N.D.) hired Kate Spaziani as his senior health policy adviser and promoted Dana Halvorson to deputy health policy adviser. Spaziani was formerly legislative director for Rep. Ron Kind (D-Wis.), and Halvorson worked for Conrad as his legislative assistant for healthcare.

Resonate announces new online ad network: Resonate Networks has created an online ad network that enables advertisers to target online audiences based on their attitudes toward a broad range of key public policy issues, from healthcare and taxes to government regulation. The firm is backed by a mix of political strategists including Harold Ickes, the former White House deputy chief of staff who did micro-targeting for the Obama campaign; Alex Gage, who managed micro-targeting for the Bush White House; Steve McMahon, pioneer of the Howard Dean Presidency Internet Strategy; and founder Sara Taylor. Taylor was the White House political director during the Bush administration and a micro-targeting expert. The firm also announced it has raised a $2 million Series A investment round from strategic investors, including founder John Brady, who co-founded Direct Impact Co.

Births 

Congressman welcomes new son: Rep. Steve Scalise (R-La.) and wife Jennifer welcomed their new son Harrison Joseph into the world on May 8 at 12:30 p.m. at Ochsner Medical Center in Kenner, La. Harrison weighs in at 8 pounds, 14 ounces and is 20  inches long.

Deaths 

Rep. Todd Akin (R-Mo.) and wife Lulli regret to announce the death of Lulli’s mother, “Bissi” Boe. Karen Elisabeth “Bissi” Boe, formerly of Litchfield and Wilton, Conn., died peacefully on May 8 at the age of 91. Boe was born in Trondheim, Norway, on Aug. 5, 1917, the daughter of Consul Lorentz Cappelen-Smith, who spent four years in Hitler’s Greni Concentration Camp during World War II, and Lulli Bugge Cappelen-Smith.

Boe, who raised six children, is survived by son Carl Boe, four daughters including Lulli Akin of St. Louis, 14 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Another son, Petter Boe, died in 1990. Boe’s husband Carsten died in 1991.