House Committee on Natural Resources Ranking Republican Rob Bishop (R-Utah) today announced Parish Braden as Republican Staff Director for the Committee and the appointment of key senior staff for the 116th Congress.
“Parish was integral to the Committee’s success this past year, and I'm pleased to announce he'll be taking on this new role. The Natural Resources Republicans are again staffed by a group of thoughtful, highly qualified professionals, and I look forward to the work ahead in the 116th Congress."
Parish Braden, Staff Director
Braden most recently served as deputy staff director for the Committee. He’s served in various policy, management and communication roles on Capitol Hill and the Republican National Committee since 2005.
Lisa Pittman, Chief Counsel
Pittman has served as chief counsel for the Committee since 2000. She’s also served as deputy chief counsel, counsel for ocean and Great Lakes issues on the Merchant Marine and Fisheries Committee and as an attorney and special assistant with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Kristina Baum, Communications Director
Baum has served as communications director since 2018. She previously served as chief spokesperson at Chevron Phillips Chemical, communications director with the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee and press secretary for the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee.
Chris Fluhr, Staff Director, Subcommittee on Indigenous Peoples of the United States
Fluhr has handled Native American and Alaska Native issues for the Committee since 2003. Joining the Committee in 1997, Fluhr has also served as republican chief of staff for the Committee and in various professional policy staff roles.
Sang Yi, Staff Director, Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations
Yi has served as Subcommittee staff director since 2017. Joining the Committee in 2016 as senior counsel, Yi’s prior experience includes senior policy advisor for the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
William (Bill) Ball, Staff Director, Water, Oceans and Wildlife Subcommittee
Ball has served as Subcommittee staff director since 2017. Previously, he served as professional staff on the subcommittee and four years with U.S. Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) handling fisheries issues.
Andrew Vecera, Staff Director, Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources
Vecera has served as staff director since 2017, and prior to that he served as the Subcommittee’s counsel. Vecera joined the Committee in 2013 as counsel handling oversight and investigations at the Full Committee.
Steve Petersen, Staff Director, Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests, and Public Lands
Petersen has over three decades of legislative experience, including serving as deputy counsel to the Full Committee, professional staff on the House Rules Committee, and senior advisor and counsel in U.S. Rep. Bishop's personal office.
Additionally, Tanner Hanson has been appointed Senior Advisor to the Full Committee. Hanson previously served as Policy Director for the Western Caucus. Austin Hacker was also appointed as Deputy Press Secretary for the Committee. Austin previously served as a legislative clerk on the Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources.
