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February 16, 2023

Crane Announces Senior Staff Hires for 118th Congress

Washington, D.C. – Today, Rep. Eli Crane of Arizona’s Second Congressional District announced senior staff hires in both his Washington, D.C. and Arizona office for the 118th Congress.

“I’m pleased to announce my senior staff who will work to best serve the people of Arizona’s Second Congressional District,” said Rep. Crane. “I believe their experiences, both on and off Capitol Hill, will equip my office to deliver the full range of constituent services, advance policies that strengthen our communities, and keep Arizonans informed.”

Greg Smith serves as Chief of Staff. Smith previously served as the Vice President of American Global Strategies following his tenure at the White House as Special Assistant to the President and Deputy Director of Political Affairs during the Trump Administration. Prior to the White House, he worked for the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, where he was a Regional Political Director, covering Arizona, before becoming the Assistant Director of Policy and Government Affairs in Washington, DC, managing AIPAC’s defense portfolio.

Gaither Martin, a fifth generation Arizonan and resident of Queen Creek, serves as District Director. Martin brings with him two decades of government affairs and consulting experience. In 2004, he was hired by the Department of Defense to assist in Iraq’s reconstruction efforts, serving as the U.S. Baghdad Embassy’s Senior Advisor to the Iraqi Minister of Planning. In 2011, he returned to the White Mountains, where he grew up. He also served as a political consultant for multiple non-profit organizations, and as the Executive Director for the Arizona Cattle Growers’ Association.

Christina Barry serves as Legislative Director. Barry has held policy roles in both the House and Senate. She was most recently Legislative Director for Rep. Mary Miller. She has held additional roles in both congressional chambers, working for Rep. Louis Gohmert and Senator John Barrasso.

Zach Kahler serves as Communications Director. Kahler most recently served as Communications Advisor for the U.S. House Committee on Ways and Means under Rep. Kevin Brady. Previously, he worked for the Senate Republican Conference under Senator John Barrasso as a Digital Strategist. Prior to working as a Congressional staffer, he worked for the American Israel Public Affairs Committee in Washington, DC, as well as with a legal advocacy organization in Jerusalem, Israel.

Courtney Buzzetti serves as Director of Operations and Scheduling. Buzzetti previously served in the Office of Congressman Bob Good as the Director of Scheduling and Operations. Before her time on Capitol Hill, she worked as Scheduler for Bob Good for Congress and as the Administrative Coordinator for a recruitment firm.

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