NASHVILLE, TN—United States Senator Bill Hagerty (R-TN) today announced several changes to his staff in Washington, D.C. and Tennessee.
“My exceptional staff has helped me serve and represent Tennesseans in Washington with great success for two years,” said Senator Hagerty. “I’m pleased to welcome these new individuals to my staff and announce promotions for others that will continue to support and empower me to advance conservative principles in Washington and to be a strong advocate for Tennesseans across the Volunteer State.”
Promotions
Betsy Van Dam will serve as Senator Hagerty’s Deputy Chief of Staff and Confidential Assistant after two years as his Director of Scheduling. Prior to working in the Senate, Van Dam supported Hagerty for ten years in the private sector and with his stateside commitments during Hagerty’s tenure as the U.S. Ambassador to Japan. She served with the Presidential Appointments group on the 2016 Presidential Transition Team and as Hagerty’s Executive Assistant in the Department of Economic and Community Development for the State of Tennessee. She is a graduate of the University of Michigan and is a native of Franklin, Tennessee.
Matthew Apple, who has been a Legislative Correspondent to Hagerty, will now serve as a Legislative Aide to Hagerty. Prior to the Senate, Apple served at the Department of Health and Human Services, as well as in the office of the Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives.
Shea Throckmorton will serve as a Legislative Aide to Hagerty. Previously, Throckmorton worked as Legislative Correspondent assisting with the Domestic Policy portfolio. Prior to his move to Washington, Throckmorton worked on two successful senatorial campaigns, including as Hagerty’s Field Director for West Tennessee during the 2020 cycle. Throckmorton graduated with a Political Science degree from the University of Mississippi and is currently getting an M.A. in Government from Hillsdale College. Throckmorton is originally from Memphis, Tennessee.
Emma Morris will serve as Deputy Scheduler for Hagerty. Morris has been serving in Hagerty’s Washington D.C. office for a year, starting as an intern before becoming a Staff Assistant in April of 2022. She graduated from Auburn University with a B.A. in Political Science. She is originally from Chattanooga, Tennessee.
Additions
Walton Stivender has been named Director of Scheduling in the Washington, D.C. office. Stivender joins from Senator Roger Marshall’s (R-KS) office, where she served as Scheduler and Assistant to the Chief of Staff. Stivender is a graduate from Auburn University and began her career on Capitol Hill as a Staff Assistant for former Senator Richard Shelby (R-AL).
Michael Manucy has been named Legislative Correspondent in the Washington, D.C. office. Manucy joins from Senator Tim Scott’s (R-SC) office, where he served as Staff Assistant, and is a graduate from the University of South Carolina.
Lauren Ball has been named Constituent Services Representative in the Chattanooga office. Ball received her degree from Lee University in political science, focusing in American politics. She is a native of Knoxville, Tennessee.
Casey Geloneck is serving as a Navy Legislative Fellow with the National Security Team in the Washington, D.C. office. Geloneck is a naval aviator who’s flown P-3C, T-6B, and C-130 aircraft, and planned bilateral exercises with Japan, Korea, and Australia for the United States Navy. He holds a B.A. in Political Science and English Literature from Colgate University and an Executive Masters of Business Administration from the Naval Postgraduate School.
Nick Checker is serving as a Fellow with the National Security Team. Checker is a military analyst detailed from the Central Intelligence Agency, where he worked on South Asia, Africa, and Middle East issues. Nick holds a B.S. from the University of Wisconsin and graduate degree from Georgetown University.
