Senator Hoeven Names Ryan Bernstein, Class of '04, Washington Chief of Staff

Original Story

U.S. Senator John Hoeven has named Ryan Bernstein as his Washington chief of staff. Bernstein has been serving as deputy chief of staff and legal counsel since Hoeven moved from the governor's office to the senate.

"Ryan Bernstein has also done an outstanding job," Sen. Hoeven said. "His service as deputy chief of staff and legal counsel has prepared him well to serve as Washington chief of staff. In his new role, Ryan will combine a broad knowledge of the law and our state with common sense and a love for North Dakota."

Bernstein will continue as counsel. He served as legal counsel, senior policy advisor, and deputy chief of staff when Hoeven was North Dakota's governor.

In 2008, North Dakota State University presented Bernstein its Horizon Award that "honors an individual who has achieved outstanding career accomplishments within ten years of graduation." After graduating from the University of North Dakota School of Law, Bernstein served as law clerk to N.D. Supreme Court Justice Dale V. Sandstrom, and U.S. Magistrate Judge Charles Miller. Prior to law school, Bernstein served as the student member on the North Dakota Board of Higher Education, and as an advisor to Governor Edward Schafer.

Sen. Hoeven announced that his current chief of staff Don Larson will return to North Dakota and serve in an expanded role as state director, as well as overall chief of staff following his current state director Julie Fedorchak's appointment to the N.D. Public Service Commission last week.