Special Report
CAPITAL CONN
Beltway from page 12
Eric Feldman with Congressman Gary Peters
Chief of Staff
At the age of 29, Eric Feldman of
Farmington Hills is wowing his peers
as one of the youngest chiefs of staff on
Capitol Hill. He runs the office of Rep.
Gary Peters, D-Bloomfield Hills, who rep-
resents most of Oakland County including
many of Feldman's family members and
friends. Another U-M graduate, Feldman
also started out in Washington, D.C., in
2000 as an intern for Sen. Levin along
with Simon and Tronstein (Simon was the
best man at his wedding). From there, he
went on to work for several House leader-
ship offices over several years including
the office of Rep. Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif.
who is now Speaker of the House of
Representatives.
"Working for the congressman repre-
senting my home district was always a
dream of mine says Feldman. "Shortly
after Gary's victory, I was planning to
travel home for my birthday. I asked if he'd
be willing to meet with me to discuss the
possibility of joining his staff. We met, we
hit it off and he offered me the opportu-
nity to serve as his chief of staff'
Feldman traces his passion for politics
back to his days in the Farmington Public
School District. When he was just 10
years old, he remembers a school funding
millage being narrowly defeated. When it
passed years later, he took notice.
"The new lab equipment began to
arrive, the new computers and tech-
nologies were installed and the building
expansions began just as I was graduating
from high school;' Feldman said. "For me,
there was a clear realization of the direct
impact elections can have on all of our
lives:'
While his rise to success has been mete-
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Bryce Sandler, right, with political donor David Trott of Birmingham
oric, Feldman says he plans to stay in his
current position for a while.
"It's an honor and a job I take very seri-
ously," he says. "What we're working on has
a direct impact on people and places close
to my heart. It's very rewarding."
Michigan Focus
Ilana Levinson, 25, of Farmington Hills
and Bryce Sandler, 38, of Royal Oak work
with a handful of Michigan lawmak-
ers. Sandler is president of Sandler &
Associates, a Bingham Farms-based firm
he started in 2001 specializing in politi-
cal fundraising and campaign manage-
ment. Last year, he was a senior finance
consultant for Republican presidential
candidate Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz. Now,
he's providing financial consulting for
Rep. Thaddeus McCotter, R-Livonia, Sen.
John Pappageorge, R-Troy, and the Rick
Snyder for Governor Committee. Snyder,
an Ann Arbor businessman, is running in
Michigan's 2010 gubernatorial election.
"A typical day for me consists of meet-
ing with donors, soliciting them, organiz-
liana Levinson with Sen. Debbie
Stabenow
ing fundraising events and implementing
communication strategies for my clients:'
Sandler says. "I really don't have a dream
job nor do I want to be president. I'm
focused on ensuring my candidates are
well positioned for election victories:'
Levinson, a graduate of Michigan State,
is a legislative assistant for Sen. Debbie
Stabenow, D-Mich., advising her in areas
including education, labor, budget, agri-
culture and transportation.
"My job involves meeting with constitu-
ents, research, writing issue memos, draft-
ing the senator's plans into legislation and
building coalitions among other things:'
Levinson explained.
"I've been focused on issues that really
hit home for people in Michigan, like
extending unemployment benefits. This
job has renewed my appreciation for my
home state. Though I'm not there geo-
graphically for my day-to-day work, at
times I feel more connected to Michigan
than ever before.
"After several years in Sen. Stabenow's
office, I'm still learning new things about
this state every day."
Bright Future
So what's next for these young Michigan-
made stars? The future is wide open. None
said they aspire to launch their own presi-
dential campaign. But you can bet they
will all play influential roles in the politi-
cal process for years to come.
"I definitely see myself working in pub-
lic service in the long term:' Levinson said.
"I'm passionate about empowering disad-
vantaged populations through workforce
development. I believe one of the best
things you can do in public policy is give
people the tools and resources for success
and self-sufficiency."
Michael Simon shared these observa-
tions after his years in Washington, D.C.
"Government is filled with passionate
people who care deeply about their mis-
sions and agencies:' he said. "I quickly
came to realize people here are incred-
ibly smart and committed. They could be
making a lot more money with less frus-
tration and responsibility elsewhere. They
specifically chose public service because it
lines up with their values."
Zack Schram explained what continues
to inspire him.
"It is a job with the awesome respon-
sibility to effect the change you've fought
foe Schram said. "It is a chance to per-
form tikkun olam [repair of the world] for
a living."
And while Ellman has found great suc-
cess in our nation's capital, she says she
thinks about moving back to Michigan
often.
"That's a very real possibility for me
she said. "The important thing for me is
to be working on issues I feel passionately
about and to make a difference."
Wherever the future leads, Sandler also
says he's certain he'll continue to play a
role in politics.
"I encourage everyone to get involved
with the political process:' Sandler adds.
"Whether its a candidate you support
or an issue that motivates you — get
involved."
To e-dialog about this story — as well as the
theme of young adults who have successfully
planted roots elsewhere and what Jewish
Detroit is doing to keep more young
professionals here — log on to:
www.thejewishnews.com/community.