PoliticsPA is proud to present the 13th installment of our Chief of Staff Spotlight feature. This week, we talked to George McElwee, who has served as Rep. Charlie Dent’s COS since he was elected in 2004.

Background

What’s your name?

George McElwee

Who is your boss?

Congressman Charlie Dent

What is your birthday?

November 7

Where did you grow up?

Bethlehem, PA

Where did you go to college and what was your major?

Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania, BA – Political Science; George Washington University, Graduate Certificate – Political Management; National Defense University, MA – Strategic Security Studies (06/2012 expected).

Are you married? Dating? Single?

Married.

Professional

What was your first political job?

Intern, Ridge/Schweiker 1998

What was your biggest break in politics?

First paid position — staff assistant with Senator Rick Santorum’s office.

How long have you worked with your boss?

Seven years at the end of the year.

What was your position when you first started in the office?

Chief of Staff

What’s the worst job outside of politics you have ever had?

Of course some jobs have been better than others, but each one taught me something I use in my current position.

Personal

What has been your proudest single accomplishment/achievement since working on Capitol Hill?

Assembling the best staff on the Hill and in the District.

What is your favorite PA sports team?

Phillies/Eagles/Flyers

Where and what do you eat lunch on most days?

At my desk. Soup and salad.

Favorite “political” movie?

Election – Reese Witherspoon & Matthew Broderick

Blackberry or I-Phone?

Both

What political figure do you most admire (excluding your boss), and a sentence or two why?

Tom Ridge.  From Vietnam to Secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Tom Ridge has given a lifetime of service to the commonwealth and nation.

What makes a Chief of Staff “good” and why? advice would you give to the aspiring Chiefs of Staff out there?

A great staff makes a “good” chief of staff. It’s not about giving advice, it’s about listening.