Former Shays Deputy heads list of staff changes announced by
Senate Minority Leader John McKinney

Hartford, CT – Connecticut Senate Minority Leader John McKinney (R-Fairfield) today announced the appointment of Paul Pimentel as Chief of Staff to the Senate Republican Caucus.

Pimentel previously served as District Director and Deputy Chief of Staff to Congressman Christopher Shays (R-4). Pimentel oversaw the Bridgeport and Stamford constituent service offices and served as a senior advisor to the Congressman on local and state issues, including energy and the environment, transportation, urban development and the economy.

“Paul Pimentel has played an integral role in helping Congressman Shays manage one of the most responsive and effective constituent services staffs in our state,” said McKinney. “As our chief of staff, his knowledge and experience will make Paul an invaluable resource to our Senators as they develop policy and manage constituent concerns.”

Pimentel joined Congressman Christopher Shays’ staff in 1997. From 1999 to 2002, Pimentel was Legislative Assistant in Shays' Washington, D.C. office where he was a key advisor on a number of policy issues including campaign finance reform, environment, immigration, transportation, and trade.

“When it comes to building a professional, team-oriented staff that puts constituents first, Paul is as good as it gets. For 10 years he has helped me be a better member of Congress, and I am grateful Connecticut will continue to benefit from his public service and leadership skills,” said Shays.

In his new role, Pimentel will manage the day-to-day operations of the 33-member Senate Republican staff and serve as a senior advisor to Senate Minority Leader John McKinney and the 11-member Senate Republican Caucus. Pimentel, 33, was raised in Stamford and lives in Bridgeport.

Senator McKinney also announced the promotions of Jennifer Macierowski to Chief Legal Counsel; Jack Shannon to Director of Legislative Affairs and Senior Policy Advisor; Peggy Deschenes to Director of Public Affairs; and Brett Cody to Managing Director of Communications.

“Our caucus members and constituents will benefit greatly from the breadth of experience and expertise this group brings to their new roles,” said McKinney.

Macierowski was appointed Chief Legal Counsel, following the retirement of long time Chief Counsel Morgan O’Brien. She has served the caucus as assistant counsel for eight years and prior to that was an associate with the law firm of Wiggin and Dana, LLP. Macierowski is a graduate of Amherst College and the University of Connecticut School of Law.

Shannon has served the caucus since 2000, first as a legislative aide to Senator McKinney and as Deputy Director of Legislative Affairs since 2001. In his new role, he will work directly with Senators and caucus staff to develop and promote local and statewide policy initiatives. He is a graduate of Loyola College in Maryland.

Deschenes has been appointed to the new position of Director of Public Affairs, responsible for community and inter-governmental relations. Prior to joining Senate Republicans, Deschenes served as Assistant Director of Public Affairs to Governor M. Jodi Rell and Campaign Manager to former Congressman Rob Simmons during his successful 2004 reelection.

Cody was hired by the caucus in December 2006 as a senior policy advisor and press secretary to the Senate Republican Leadership. Prior to that, he served as Communications Director for U.S. Representative Christopher Shays’ reelection campaign. He is a graduate of Quinnipiac University.