Congressman-elect Markwayne Mullin today announced the first round of hires for his Congressional office, naming consultant Karl Ahlgren as his chief of staff.
“I’m very excited about the team we’ve put together,” Mullin said. “We have a great mixture of congressional experience as well as fresh energy and ideas. Our first priority in the office will be to serve the second district of Oklahoma. We will not be out worked when it comes to helping our constituents.”
The members of Mullin’s Congressional staff include:
Karl Ahlgren – Chief of Staff – Ahlgren formerly was a longtime congressional aide, having served as chief of staff to then-U.S. Congressman (now U.S. Senator) Tom Coburn between 1994 and 2000, and as field director to former U.S. Senator Don Nickles for ten years prior. In his congressional duties, Ahlgren was widely recognized for his ability to work with both parties to assist rural communities in northern and southeastern Oklahoma. Ahlgren served as Co-secretary of the Oklahoma State Senate for two terms. Ahlgren is leaving his position as co-owner and general partner of AH Strategies where he did strategic planning for a wide variety of clients. An avid runner, Ahlgren recently completed his 20th marathon in Renaca, Chile.
Mary Bower – Northern District Caseworker – Bower has worked in the office of Congressman Dan Boren for the past five years. She will also handle the congressman’s Academy Appointments and Grants. Mary is an Oklahoma State graduate with over 25 years of business experience. She is the mother of Bryce and Clay.
Deborah Dooley – Northern District Field Representative/District Scheduler – Dooley is an eastern Oklahoma native, raised in Ottawa County. She graduated from Commerce High School and attended Afton Vo-Tech, Northeastern A&M, and Missouri Southern Colleges. She continued education courses in dental office management. Dooley has 8 years of expreience in the dental field as an office manager, scheduler, and insurance coordinator. Dooley also has 20 plus years in banking as assistant cashier, loan secretary, and proof operations. For the past 16 months Dooley has been the treasurer, scheduler, and events coordinator for the Mullin for Congress Campaign.
Betty Ford – Southern Caseworker/Field Representative – Ford has been serving the residents of South East Oklahoma for many years. She joined Congressman Bill Brewster’s office in 1991. She then went on to work for Congressman Wes Watkins, Congressman Brad Carson and Congressman Dan Boren doing Field and casework. Prior to working for the United States House of Representatives Ford worked at Central National Bank in Poteau for 14 years.
Vivian Loving – Central Caseworker – Loving has been working in Congressional District offices for the past 16 years. She began her career with Dr. Tom Coburn when he held the 2nd District Congressional seat. From there she transitioned into the offices of Congressmen Brad Carson and Dan Boren. She will also handle the Artistic Discovery Contest and Medicare/Social Security Advisory Committees. Loving is a Claremore native with three grown children and three grandchildren.
Peggy McGehee – Field Representative – McGehee has served as a Field Representative in Congressman Dan Boren’s Claremore office and covered the northeast Oklahoma area for the past four years. McGehee taught for 13 years and worked in the healthcare industry for 17 years. She is a graduate of Oklahoma State University. She is married to Edd McGehee; they have two children and one grandson.
Johnathan Moyer – Southern District Field Representative – Moyer is an eastern Oklahoma native from Tahlequah, Oklahoma. Moyer received his bachelors degree from Northeastern State University (NSU). During his time at NSU, Moyer was the Vice President of Student Government Affairs. After graduation, Moyer went on to be a high school mathematics teacher and cross country running and track coach. He also was an adjunct professor at Oklahoma City Community College. In the past six months, Moyer worked on Mullin’s congressional campaign as the coordinator for southeast Oklahoma.
Darrin Munoz – Legislative Assisistant – Munoz most recently served as Senior Legislative Assistant for Congressman Denny Rehberg (MT-At Large) where his portfolio included energy, natural resourses, environment, public lands, defense, veterans and water. Prior to his service in the House Munoz worked in the office of U.S. Senator John Barrasso (WY) as Legislative Aide and Correspondence Director. Munoz served proudly in the United States Navy and holds a Masters of Public Administration degree from the University of Wyoming.
Brittnee Preston – Legislative Director – Preston joins Mullin’s staff from Congressman James Lankford’s (OK-05) office where she served as Legislative Assistant focusing mainly on transportation and energy policy. Prior to serving Oklahoma’s fifth district, Preston worked for former President Pro Tempore of the Oklahoma State Senate, Glenn Coffee as Legislative Director. Preston was raised in Weatherford, Oklahoma and currently resides in Alexandria, VA with her husband, Chris. Preston received her undergraduate degree at the University of Oklahoma and her master’s degree from Northwestern University.
Kayla Priehs – Executive Assistant/DC Scheduler – Priehs began her time on the Hill in Congresswoman Candice Miller’s (MI-10) office. After a brief stint at the NRCC under then-Chairman Tom Cole (OK-04), she returned to the Hill to work as the executive assistant to Congressmen Erik Paulsen (MN-03) and Frank Guinta (NH-01).
Tim Ross – Deputy Chief of Communications – Ross previously served as Campaign Manager for Congressman-elect Mullin. Prior to the campaign Ross worked on multiple successful congressional, state and local level campaigns. Before becoming involved in political campaigns Ross served as CFO for a small trucking company that worked primarily in the coal industry. Ross is well versed in small business, regulatory and energy issues.
Jason Self – Veteran’s Caseworker – Self was born in Pittsburg County and joined the army after graduating from McAlester High School. After his last tour in Iraq, Jason joined Congressman Dan Boren’s office as part of the Wounded Warrior Program doing military and veteran casework. Self will also handle Immigration casework and the Veterans Advisory Committee.