Sen. Jeff Smith Announces New Staff Hire in Legislative Office

Sen. Jeff Smith Announces New Staff Hire in Legislative Office

MADISON – Senator Jeff Smith (D – Brunswick) announced a new staff member joining his State Capitol office to serve constituents of the 31^st Senate District.

Tony Palese has joined Sen. Smith’s office as Policy Director. He previously worked in the Senate Democratic Leader’s office serving the western Wisconsin region where he focused on legislation to improve health care access, support local schools and invest in infrastructure. Tony is a 2006 graduate of UW Madison and enjoys cooking, watching movies, and spending time with his wife, their 3 year old son and their rescue dog.

Tony Palese joins Senator Smith’s staff including Beau Stafford, Chief of Staff; Meghan Sovey, Communications Director; and Alyssa Neuser, Outreach Director and Intern Coordinator.

Beau Stafford graduated from UW-Madison in 2008, majoring in history and political science. He has worked in and around the Capitol since 2005 before becoming Senator Smith’s Chief of Staff in 2019. He specializes in agriculture, broadband and environmental policy areas. He has worked for the 31^st Senate District for the last six years. He enjoys spending time working on his farm, playing soccer and hockey and hunting and fishing throughout Wisconsin.

Meghan Sovey is the office Communications Director. Before joining Senator Smith’s office in 2019, Meghan graduated from UW-Madison with a Bachelor’s Degree in Gender & Women’s Studies and gained experience working at the Department of Health Services and in the nonprofit sector. In these various roles, she developed a strong interest in public health policy and children and family issues. Meghan enjoys hiking at Wisconsin State Parks, trying new recipes and reading.

Alyssa Neuser graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire with a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work and Certificate in Gerontology. Prior to becoming Outreach Director and Intern Coordinator in Senator Smith’s office, she worked at Positive Alternative Living Solutions (PALS) in Eau Claire and interned for Senator Kathleen Vinehout in Madison and Senator Tammy Baldwin in Washington, D.C. Alyssa enjoys traveling, photography, and being a plant mom.

Senator Smith and his legislative staff welcome constituents to contact the office to share legislative ideas, get assistance to find state and federal resources, and request a Blue Book, map or citation.

State Capitol Office Contact Information

Email: Sen.Smith@legis.wisconsin.gov

Telephone: (608) 266-8546 or (877) 763-6636

Fax: (608) 282-3571

Address: Room 19 South

State Capitol

PO Box 7882

Madison, WI 53707

Staff Contact Information

Beau Stafford, Chief of Staff

Beau.Stafford@legis.wisconsin.gov

Tony Palese, Policy Director