Congressman-elect Allen West Announces Noncontroversial Staff

After a tumultuous experience in choosing the controversial Joyce Kauffman for his chief of staff and then watching her reluctantly refuse the post, newly elected congressman Allen West has announced a new staff lineup that is unlikely to rock the boat.

From the press release:

Chief of Staff: Jonathan Blyth
Jonathan Blyth has worked for more than 20 years in the legislative and executive branches of the federal government. He has served on the congressional staff of several members of Congress in both the House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate, including serving as the chief of staff for Congressman Bob Barr (R-Ga.) and Congressman Bill Martini (R-N.J.). Blyth was also a presidential appointee for President George W. Bush in two federal agencies. He is a graduate of Franklin & Marshall College with a degree in government and holds a master's degree in public administration from George Washington University and a master's degree in national security and strategic studies from the Naval War College. Blyth is a lieutenant commander in the United States Navy Reserve. He is a resident of Arlington, Va. and Boca Raton, Fla.

Deputy Chief of Staff\Legislative Director: Josh Grodin
Josh Grodin was Congressman-elect West's campaign manager for his successful 2010 election. Grodin has spent a decade working for various campaigns and political organizations including acting as political director of the nationally recognized nonprofit, Vets for Freedom. Grodin was appointed by President George W. Bush to the White House office of National Drug Control Policy in 2005 where he served as a legislative analyst in the Office of Legislative Affairs. Grodin has also worked for three members of Congress on Capitol Hill. Grodin has a bachelor's degree in political science from the University of Texas, and a Master of Science in defense and strategic studies/international relations.

Communications Director: Angela Sachitano
Angela Sachitano is an expert in front of and behind the camera and has spent the past 12 years working as a journalist and media analyst for various companies and news outlets across the country, including most recently reporting for the NBC affiliate in West Palm Beach.Sachitano is a a native of Florida and graduated from the University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications.

Legislative Correspondent: Taryn Dorfman
Taryn Dorfman worked as the deputy field director for the 2010 West for Congress campaign. Previously, Dorfman worked as a traveling educational leadership consultant for the kappa alpha theta sorority. Dorfman is a graduate ofthe University of Central Florida with a broadcast journalism degree.