Brewer names director of federal relations

Gov. Jan Brewer has named Ryan Serote, a former U.S. Department of the Interior official and advisor to former Rep. J.D. Hayworth, as her director of federal affairs.

“His tremendous familiarity with and background of Capitol Hill, coupled with his experience in key Arizona policy issues will prove invaluable to the citizens of Arizona and to my administration,” Brewer stated in a press release Aug. 7.

Serote has served as deputy commissioner for external and intra-governmental affairs at the Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Reclamation. In that position, Serote directed and supervised all congressional and legislative efforts at the Bureau of Reclamation. He also worked directly with federal agency executives, the White House budget office, members of Congress and other government agencies.

He also served as district director and senior legislative assistant for Hayworth. Serote also advised Hayworth on Arizona policy issues including energy, the environment, natural resources, telecommunications, technology, Native American affairs and appropriations, and was director of the Congressional Native American Caucus.