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Senior Management

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Catherine Szpindor

Catherine Szpindor is an experienced executive with demonstrated success in leading organizational change and innovation to improve business operations and customer service. Most recently, Catherine Szpindor served as the Chief Information Officer for the House of Representatives from December 2015 to December 2020.

Catherine joined the House in 2011 as the Director of Enterprise Applications and then was promoted to Deputy CIO and "Acting CIO" prior to her latest position. During her time at the House, Catherine directed improvements to technology infrastructure and applications, adoption of Cloud technologies, and the implementation of collaboration and conferencing tools in support of remote working during the Covid-19 crisis.

She has an extensive career in information technology. Prior to working at the House, Szpindor served as Vice President of IT for Thomas Nelson Community College. She also worked for many years as Vice President of Information Technology for Nextel, Sprint, and Sprint/Nextel.

When asked how she has differentiated herself in the field of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) that is dominated by men, she stated,

"I just took on each job, determined to do my best, and made decisions for my team and the organization that would improve technology services and products. I was never afraid to express my opinions and ideas, and then justify them."

Szpindor holds a master's degree in information systems from Mercer University's Stetson School of Business and Economics and has a certificate in strategy and innovation from the Sloan School of Management at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and a certificate in strategic business leadership from Georgetown University.


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John Clocker standing outside of the Capitol building.

John Clocker

John Clocker serves as Deputy Chief Administrative Officer for the U.S. House of Representatives. Tapped by CAO Philip G. Kiko in September 2016, Mr. Clocker has over a decade of Legislative Branch experience, which touches all aspects of CAO operations.

Prior to his service as Deputy CAO, Mr. Clocker served as Deputy Staff Director for Planning and Oversight with the Committee on House Administration where he effectively managed the Committee's oversight of day-to-day operations of the U.S. House, including administrative, technical, and security operations.

Mr. Clocker's extensive service within the Legislative Branch also includes six years working with House Information Resources as the Director of Web Systems. In that role, he worked to implement strategies to provide optimal web operations and services for the entire House community.

Mr. Clocker also has worked at the Committee on Energy and Commerce and previously with the Committee on House Administration as Director of Technology.

Mr. Clocker has a master's of science degree in technology management from George Mason University.


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Lisa Sherman

Lisa Sherman

Lisa Sherman serves as the Deputy Chief Administrative Officer for the U.S. House of Representatives. A DC area native, Lisa Sherman began her political career as a 15-year-old House intern and now has over 25 years of campaign and legislative experience and a deep commitment to the US Congress as an institution. Most recently, Sherman served as Chief of Staff to retiring Congresswoman Susan A. Davis from 2001-2020, after managing Davis' first campaign for Congress, an upset win. Sherman also served in several legislative and campaign capacities for both former Rep. Darlene Hooley of Oregon and former Senator Tom Harkin of Iowa.

Sherman was the top advisor for Davis and handled the Member's House Administration Committee portfolio. Under Sherman's leadership, the Davis office was known for being both a positive and a productive workplace and was recognized by the Congressional Management Foundation for its inaugural Best in Congress Workplace Environment Democracy Award and was named a finalist for the Constituent Service Democracy Award. During Davis's time as House Franking Commission Chair, Sherman co-led the bipartisan overhaul of the House franking rules to allow Members to communicate more clearly with their constituents and to modernize House communications rules to include digital and social media.

In 2020, Sherman was a finalist for the Congressional Management Foundation's Lifetime Achievement Award for improving congressional work environments, mentoring newer staff, and writing Hill management guides used by many other offices. Sherman has been a featured speaker and trainer for the University of California-San Diego, Stanford in Washington, The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, U.S. Congress New Member Orientation, the U.S. House Staff Academy, and many others. Topics have included policy writing, hiring, maintaining workplace morale, communications, lobby visits, budgeting, and management. Sherman holds a Bachelor's Degree in Classics from Grinnell College.


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Anne Binsted

Anne Binsted

Anne Binsted serves as Deputy Chief Administrative Officer for the U.S. House of Representatives. As Deputy CAO, Ms. Binsted manages the Human Resources department, the House Child Care Center, the Media Galleries, the Office of Employee Advocacy, and the CAO's congressional transition work.

Ms. Binsted has worked in the U.S. House of Representatives for nearly three decades for four House committees under the direction of five chairmen as well as in the leadership office of former House Republican Leader Robert H. Michel.

As the daughter of two former congressional staffers who met while working in the Cannon House Office Building in the late 60s, Ms. Binsted has been connected to the U.S. House of Representatives in one way or another throughout her entire life, and she brings tremendous experience in House operations to her role.

Prior to joining the CAO, Ms. Binsted served the House in multiple capacities, including as Finance and Personnel Administrator for the Committee on House Administration. She also worked with the Judiciary and Science committees as an Editor and Special Assistant, respectively.Ms. Binsted has a bachelor's degree in English from West Virginia University.


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James Butler Headshot

James F. Butler

James serves as the Deputy Chief Administrative Officer for the U.S. House of Representatives. As Deputy CAO, James manages operations for the CAO Office of Finance, Furniture and Logistics, and Procurement. James first joined the CAO in 2003 with CAO Human Resources, subsequently having the pleasure of working in various positions with the Office of Payroll and Benefits. Prior to his current position, he served as the Director of the Payroll and Benefits and Members' Services teams from April 2017 to June 2022.

In every position within the CAO, James' goal has been to provide exceptional customer service for House Leadership, Officers, Members, Committee and House staff. He is a champion of the CAO's vision to work as One CAO towards fulfilling the CAO's mission to be Member Focused, Service Driven.

James is from the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area and went to Gonzaga College High School, just three blocks away from the U.S. Capitol, where he played football, wrestling, and rugby. As a former U.S. Coast Guard Academy student and athlete, he has a keen understanding of the CAO's values of service, integrity, and respect. James holds a bachelor's degree in Economics from the University of Maryland, College Park.


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Birchard B. Allen III    Chief Procurement Officer

Birchard B. Allen III

Birchard Brooks Allen III serves as the Chief Procurement Officer for the U.S. House of Representatives. In this role, Mr. Allen leads the CAO's team of procurement professionals, directing all strategic and operational efforts in acquisitions, purchasing, and contracting.

Mr. Allen joined the CAO in 2022, after decades of experience in procurement as a business analyst.

Mr. Allen has worked in both the public and private sectors, including Verizon, the DC Government, and the Library of Congress. At the Library, he improved communications to the House through the Congressional Research Service website redesign for the 111th Congress. Mr. Allen holds a B.A. from the American University and a J.D. from Catholic University Columbus School of Law.


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Tom Coyne

Tom Coyne

Tom Coyne serves as the House of Representative's Chief Logistics Officer.

Mr. Coyne has served in the Office of the Chief Administrative Officer since before there even was a "CAO."

In 1991, he joined what was then called Office Systems Management as an equipment management counselor supporting roughly 70 Member offices. Over the next quarter-century, he held positions in the House Service Center, Customer Solutions Delivery and the Office of Finance.

Before becoming Chief Logistics Officer, Mr. Coyne served as Assistant Chief Administrative Officer (Finance); and headed up the CAO working group charged with redesigning and implementing a top-to-bottom overhaul of asset management processes within the CAO and across the House.

Mr. Coyne has a bachelor's degree in accounting from George Mason University.


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Leonard R. Puzzuoli

Leonard R. Puzzuoli

Leonard R. Puzzuoli serves as the Chief Financial Officer for the U.S. House of Representatives. Mr. Puzzuoli oversees all financial operations including accounting, budgeting, financial counseling, and payroll and benefits.

Before joining the CAO, Mr. Puzzuoli was Chief Executive Officer for Otis Technology, an international manufacturer and defense contractor of weapons maintenance and safety products. Previously, Mr. Puzzuoli served as the Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer for Otis.

Mr. Puzzuoli also worked in the pharmaceutical, medical device, and chemical industries with Alpharma Pharmaceuticals, Bocchi Holdings Corporation, Purolite, Aventis Behring, Air-Shields Vickers, and Pharmacia.

Mr. Puzzuoli earned a bachelor's degree from Michigan State University and a Master of Business Administration degree from Capital University in Ohio. He is a Certified Management Accountant and is licensed in Ohio as a Certified Public Accountant.


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John Salamone

John Salamone

John Salamone serves as Chief Human Resources Officer for the Chief Administrative Officer of the House.

Mr. Salamone joined the CAO in June 2016, bringing with him 17 years of federal government experience in both the executive and legislative branches. Prior to joining the CAO, Mr. Salamone led a team of consultants and oversaw a portfolio of HR-related projects at a management consulting firm in Alexandria, Virginia.

As Chief Human Resources Officer, Mr. Salamone oversees the human resources team and leads the CAO's strategic and long term human resource planning.

Mr. Salamone has a bachelor's degree in sociology from the State University of New York at Oswego and a master's in Public Administration from George Mason University.


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Susan Simpson

Susan Simpson

Susan Simpson serves as Chief Risk Officer for the U.S. House of Representatives. Ms. Simpson oversees the Enterprise Risk Management and Internal Control program as well as audit liaison and remediation efforts for the Office of the Chief Administrative Officer.

Before joining the CAO, Ms. Simpson served for nearly a decade in the House Office of Inspector General, where she most recently served as Director of Financial and Performance Audits and Investigations.

Prior to her arrival on Capitol Hill, Ms. Simpson worked in public accounting managing financial statements and internal control audits for public companies.

Ms. Simpson graduated from the University of Colorado with a bachelor's degree in business administration with a focus in accounting. She is a RIMS Certified Risk Management Professional, Chartered Global Management Accountant, and a Certified Public Accountant licensed in the State of Colorado.