Senator Carper Announces Changes to Press Staff in Committee, Personal Offices

 WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Senator Tom Carper (D-Del.), chairman of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee announced the following changes to his press staff on the committee and in his personal office.

Jennie Westbrook, previously the press secretary for the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, has been promoted to communications director for the committee.   Meghan Pennington will join Senator Carper’s personal office in Washington as communications director. They replace Emily Spain, who was promoted to legislative director in April 2014.

Westbrook has served as press secretary for the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee since 2013. Prior to joining the committee, she was the press secretary for Senator Carper’s personal office in Washington, which she first joined in 2009. Westbrook, a Delaware native, is a graduate of Ohio University. She lives in Washington, D.C.

“Jennie Westbrook has been an integral asset to our team over the past five years,” Sen. Carper said. “As an expert communicator Jennie has managed a tremendous portfolio on challenging issues facing Delaware and our country. As she takes on this exciting new role to spearhead the committee’s communications team, I have the utmost confidence that she will continue to thrive.”

Before becoming communications director with Sen. Carper, Meghan Pennington served as communications director for Congressman John Sarbanes (D-Md.) for two and a half years. Prior to her time in the House of Representatives, she spent four years in the Senate working as the press secretary for former Senator Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ) and deputy press secretary and press assistant for Senator Barbara A. Mikulski (D-Md.). Pennington also served as regional field director in Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley’s successful gubernatorial reelection in 2010. A Delmarva native, Pennington graduated from the University of Maryland with a B.A. in Philosophy and Political Science.

“Over the past few years, Meghan Pennington has proven herself to be a sharp strategist and thoughtful communicator in both the Senate and the House of Representatives,” Sen. Carper said. “Her service in both chambers will prove to be an asset for me and Delawareans and I look forward to having her on our team.”

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