U.S. Rep. John Dingell (D-12th District) announced the addition of three new staff members to his Dearborn and Washington, D.C., offices Wednesday.
Dingell named new staff additions Derek Dobies as district administrator, Travis Gonyou as field representative and Christopher Schuler as communications director. Dingell also announced an additional role for Field Representative Mark Cochran, who will also now serve as special projects director.
Dingell began representing Michigan’s new 12th District in the 113th Congress Thursday.
“It’s my job as your representative to do all I can for the working families of southeast Michigan,” Dingell said, “and I’m confident that these additions to our staff will best help to do just that. From providing top-notch constituent service, to ensuring that residents of this district stay informed and know what the federal government is doing on their behalf, I know that Derek, Travis and Christopher will be valued additions to our staff as we continue our fight for working families in Michigan and throughout our nation.”
As district administrator, Dobies will oversee and lead staff throughout the district. Dobies, of Jackson, is familiar with southeast Michigan, having served as Dingell’s campaign manager during the 2012 election. Dobies is a graduate of Michigan State University.
Gonyou, also a Dingell campaign alumnus, joins the staff as field representative for Washtenaw County. Gonyou, of Livonia, joins the staff after serving as special projects coordinator during Dingell’s 2012 campaign. Gonyou is a graduate of the University of Michigan.
As communications director, Schuler will work to keep constituents informed and manage all press and media inquiries in Dingell’s Washington, D.C., office. Schuler, of Concord, N.C., previously served as communications director and legislative assistant for U.S. Rep. Larry Kissell (D-N.C.) from 2009 through 2012.
In addition to the three new staff hires, Dingell also announced a district staffing change for Mark Cochran, who has served as Dingell’s field representative in the Monroe County and Downriver region. Cochran, of Rockwood, has been tapped to also serve as special projects director.