Strong rounds out senior-level congressional staff

U.S. Rep.-elect Dale Strong (R-Huntsville) announced Tuesday his complete slate of senior-level congressional staff appointments. The incoming congressman’s announcement follows his recent appointments for chief of staff and district director.

Chandler Shields, whose congressional experience dates back to 2017, will serve as Strong’s deputy chief of staff and scheduler.

A native of Monrovia, Shields began her career on Capitol Hill in the office of U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.). In 2018, she moved to Sen. Richard Shelby’s (R-Tuscaloosa) office, where she served as the assistant to the chief of staff.

While serving Alabama’s senior senator, Shields assisted with office operations and held the position of legislative correspondent covering the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee portfolio.

In 2022, Shields transitioned into the nonprofit sector at the Boys & Girls Clubs of America  to serve in the organization’s Resource Development and Government Relations Department. There, Shields managed projects for the nonprofit’s government relations’ advocacy efforts on Capitol Hill.

She also assisted the organization’s chief development & public affairs officer to head the organization’s strategic priorities to best serve its clubs. Shields holds a bachelor’s degree in public relations from the University of Alabama, where she specialized in nonprofit communication management. In 2020, she earned her master’s degree in public policy from Liberty University.

Shields has served as the vice president of the National Capital Chapter of the University of Alabama’s Alumni Association, a fellow of the Blackburn Institute, and leads Alabama’s Committee on Taste of the South.

Ella Sullins, a fifth-generation Huntsville resident, will serve as Strong’s legislative director. In this capacity, she will oversee the congressman’s legislative agenda. Sullins joins Strong’s staff after nearly five years of service in Shelby’s office, where she is currently a Legislative Assistant.

In her role with Shelby, Sullins advises the senator on matters concerning homeland security, law enforcement, the FBI, veterans affairs, and state and foreign operations. Her focus area relates to Shelby’s position as vice chairman and, previously, chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee.

In addition, Sullins worked closely with the national security advisor in support of the senator’s defense, NASA, commercial space and military construction priorities across Alabama.

Ashley Satterfield, U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville’s (R-Auburn) military legislative assistant, will serve Strong in the same role.

Satterfield is leading the National Defense Authorization Act process for Tuberville and advises him on matters related to the Senate Armed Services Committee, space and foreign policy.

The Decatur native and Auburn University graduate held roles with U.S. Reps. Steven Palazzo (R-Miss.) and Robert Aderholt (R-Haleyville).

Madison Neal, an anchor for WHNT 19 News, has been named Strong’s communications director. Prior to becoming an anchor, she served as a multimedia journalist and reporter.

During her four years in Tennessee Valley, Neal has cultivated contacts across the 5th Congressional District and reported on local issues.

Born and raised in central Alabama, Neal graduated from Cleveland High School in Blount County. She attended Troy University and graduated summa cum laude, earning a bachelor’s degree in broadcast journalism.

While at Troy University, Neal was inducted into numerous honor societies including Phi Kappa Phi, Mortar Board, Lambda Pi Eta, Omicron Delta Kappa, and Alpha Lambda Delta. She served as a Trojan ambassador and was a sister of Kappa Delta sorority. Neal also held the title of Miss Troy University and is the current Miss Alabama Volunteer.

The journalism professional’s passions include the nonprofit community and addiction awareness.

In Strong’s district operations, Ellen Reid and Somerville Town Councilman Josh Melson will serve as field representatives.

Hailing from Frankfort, Ky., Reid worked for the Republican Party of Kentucky and served as legislative liaison for former Gov. Matt Bevin.

Upon moving to North Alabama in the spring of 2021, she joined the Dale Strong for Congress campaign team. Reid holds a bachelor’s degree in political science and a masters of public administration from Murray State University.

Melson has spent the last six years in the classroom as an agriscience educator and Future Farmers of America advisor. Along with the town council, Melson is a youth pastor and recently completed his chairmanship of the Morgan County Young Farmers.

Melson was recognized as the 2022 Young Farmers Excellence in Agriculture winner by the Alabama Farmers Federation (ALFA) for his contributions to the agriculture industry. He formerly served as the area director for ALFA, where he served north central and northwest Alabama farmers, and assisted on agriculture issues and policies.

He also served a stint with the Alabama Cooperative Extension system as the extension coordinator for Lawrence County. In this role, Melson was actively involved in the Children’s Policy Council, Lawrence County Rotary Club, Moulton Chamber of Commerce, and served numerous agriculture programs and organizations.

Melson is a graduate of Auburn University with a bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary studies of agriculture leadership and education, and a master’s in agriculture leadership.