There has been a changing of the guard at the congressional office for U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-Miami) as her 
longtime friend and most trusted adviser becomes a federal lobbyist.
Longtime Chief of Staff Arthur “Art” Estopiñan — who has been with her for 26 years, or almost the beginning — is leaving for the private sector. Deputy COS Maytee Sanz, who has been with the congresswoman about as long, has taken his place. Joshua Salpeter, who was legislative director, is now the DC Chief of Staff.
Estopiñan — who Ros-Lehtinen has repeatedly called a “friend and trusted counselor” — is serving as a senior adviser until the transition is complete.
“Art’s hard work and dedication to South Florida are well known by our community leaders and his contributions to mentoring and guiding staff and interns have earned him much respect throughout his years on the Hill,” Ros-Lehtinen said in a statement. “Art’s grace in the face of adversity has inspired us all and his leadership in our office will be missed. I know he will be pursuing a new and exciting chapter in his life and I wish him, his wife, Olga, and their son, Arturito, all the very best.
“I am also excited for what the future holds. I know that Maytee, Joshua, and my entire team capture the essence of public service. They are consummate professionals who know the demands of the jobs they are taking on and relish their duties. My office will continue to work hard for our South Florida community to ensure that our residents have access to the very best constituent service and that their voices are heard on Capitol Hill.”
Said Estopiñan: “I am extremely grateful to Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen for the incredible opportunity that she has afforded me these many years by allowing me to serve as her Chief of Staff. It has been an honor and pleasure to work for her and serve South Florida with her unique energy and commitment to help build a better community and country.
“Now, the time has come for me to move forward to the next 20 years of my life in the private sector. While this is a challenge, it is one I am looking forward to. It will allow me to enter a new phase of life where I can provide for my family, particularly raising a severely disabled child who has a rare genetic muscular disease.”
Estopiñan, who made $120,000 last year, did not say in his statement what this private sector opportunity was. But his Linked In profile is another matter.
“I look forward to moving on to the private sector as I form a public affairs and corporate solution company designed to assist professionals looking for guidance on cutting through red tape in the federal government, forming strategies for corporate and global entities, and emphasizing the Latino community in the United States and throughout Latin America.”
Like Ladra said, he’s becoming a lobbyist.
Longtime COS leaves Ileana Ros-Lehtinen — to lobby her added by Ladra on
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