11.09.16

Hoeven Names Lee North Dakota State Director

Lee Replaces Current Chief of Staff, State Director Don Larson

FARGO, N.D. – Senator John Hoeven today announced that he has appointed his current regional director for southwestern North Dakota, Jessica Lee, to be his new state director. As his state director, she will oversee the operations of the senator’s five regional offices and coordinate between them and his Washington, D.C. office to serve constituents across the state. Lee replaces Don Larson, who currently serves as the senator’s chief of staff and state director.

“As our Fargo regional director, Jessica has served our office and the people of North Dakota with energy and a real knowledge of the concerns and priorities of our state,” Hoeven said. “Between that service and her prior work with businesses, organizations and community leaders throughout the state and region, she knows the issues and aspirations of our people and will serve North Dakota well in her new role as state director.”

Prior to being appointed as Hoeven’s regional director for southeast North Dakota in January 2015, Lee served as the Government Affairs and Advocacy Manager for nearly four years at the Fargo Moorhead West Fargo Chamber of Commerce. There, she helped to develop and manage public policy priorities and initiatives at the local, state and federal level relative to transportation, education, energy, regulatory, health care and environmental issues. She also previously worked as the Health Insurance Outreach Manager for the Dakota Medical Foundation and as the Health Policy Specialist for MeritCare Health System.

Lee received her Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science and Government from North Dakota State University in 2002. She will be working from Hoeven’s office at 1802 32nd Ave South in Fargo and can be reached at 701-239-5389 or jessica_lee@hoeven.senate.gov.

Don Larson, who has worked as a senior advisor to Hoeven since 2003, will be leaving Hoeven’s office to pursue opportunities in the private sector.

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