WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.), chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, today announced two promotions and one new addition to the committee staff.

Crystal Tully has been promoted to policy director and counsel for communications and technology. She has worked on the Commerce Committee’s communications and technology policy team as counsel since March of this year, and served previously in the offices of Sen. Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) and Sen. John Sununu (R-N.H.). She has also worked in the private sector with key communications stakeholders, and held legal clerkships with the Federal Communications Commission and the Federal Trade Commission, agencies under the committee’s jurisdiction. She is a graduate of the University of New Hampshire and the George Washington University Law School.

Cort Bush has been promoted from professional staff member to senior professional staff member on the communications and technology policy team. Prior to his service on the Commerce Committee, he worked in the offices of Sen. Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), Rep. Eric Cantor (R-Va.), Rep. Mary Bono (R-Calif.), Sen. Gordon Smith (R-Ore.), the U.S. Department of the Treasury, and the private sector. He is a graduate of Washington State University.

Brianna Manzelli joined the Commerce Committee staff on July 24 as press secretary and digital director. She previously worked in the press office of the Republican National Committee as well as the private sector. She is a graduate of the Catholic University of America.

“Crystal’s broad experience working with the committee, senior legislators, and the communications sector will serve her well leading our legislative and policy efforts on broadband, communications, and the digital economy,” said Thune. “As senior professional staff member, we will increase our use of Cort’s expertise on spectrum issues and technology policy, as well as his extensive experience in advancing legislation.”

“Brianna brings a creative touch along with digital and entrepreneurial experience to our media outreach efforts as a member of our press team,” added Thune.

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