Posted: Oct. 7, 2003

Delaware Congressman Mike Castle has announced several staff changes in his Washington, D.C., and Delaware offices. 

Mike Quaranta has replaced Paul Leonard as chief of staff, overseeing the Washington and Delaware offices.  For the past 14 years, Quaranta worked in the Washington office of TRW and its spin-off, Experian, most recently as the vice president of federal and state relations.  Previously, Quaranta worked as a legislative assistant for Senator David Durenberger of Minnesota (R) and as a professional staff member on the Senate Governmental Affairs Committee. 

A veteran of the Castle staff, Elizabeth Wenk returned to the Washington staff as Castle's deputy chief of staff overseeing Castle's communications and long-term policy agenda.  Wenk previously served as communications director for Senator Olympia Snowe (R-Me) and worked for Castle as his press secretary and campaign manager since 1997.  Wenk holds a bachelor's degree in mass communication and political science from the University of Delaware and a master's degree in political management from The George Washington University. 

Castle also announced Kate Dickens as his new legislative director.  Dickens joins the Castle staff after serving as policy director and coordinator for the Tuesday Group, an assembly of House Republican centrists who meet to discuss policy and also of which Castle serves as co-chairman.  Past experience includes senior legislative assistant for Representative Connie Morella (R-Md).  Dickens will continue to manage the Tuesday Group in addition to the legislative staff and oversee the congressman's legislative initiatives.  Dickens holds a bachelor's degree in English from Salisbury State University and a master's degree in international relations from Regents College in London. 

Castle has promoted Steve Scango to senior legislative assistant.  Scango, who has been in the Castle office since February of 2001, also has worked for former Representative Bud Shuster (R-Pa) and as a senior policy analyst in the Washington, D.C., office of former Massachusetts Governor Paul Cellucci (R), who is currently the Bush administration's ambassador to Canada.  Scango's issues will include environment, energy, economic development, science and technology, transportation and agriculture.  Scango, a native of Chevy Chase, Md., has a bachelor's degree from Villanova University.

Former deputy press secretary for Castle, Lisa Purzycki will now serve as Castle's press secretary.  Purzycki has been in the Castle office since May of 2001, serving as Castle's staff assistant in Washington, D.C. and as his campaign manager in 2002.  Purzycki, a native Delawarean, holds a bachelor's degree in English from the University of Delaware.  Purzycki resides in Wilmington and travels to Washington, D.C., when needed.

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