Crapo Announces Staff Changes

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) today announced several staff changes and hires in his Washington, D.C., office to support his advocacy on behalf of the people of Idaho. 

Scott Riplinger joined the office in January to fill the role of Legislative Director following the retirement of Ken Flanz who served on Senator Crapo’s staff for more than 20 years.  Previously, Riplinger served as Legislative Director for U.S. Senator Dean Heller (R-Nevada) and served as the Majority Staff Director for the Senate Banking Subcommittee on Securities, Insurance, and Investment.  He also worked on the House Small Business Committee and for Congressman Donald Manzullo (R-Illinois).  Riplinger holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the Northern Illinois University. 

Melanie Baucom, who has worked for Senator Crapo since 2015, has been promoted to Press Secretary.  She joined Senator Crapo’s team in a legislative capacity covering policy areas of defense, veterans, cyber, trade, foreign affairs and government operations.  Baucom received a master’s degree in strategic public relations from the George Washington University, and has served as Senator Crapo’s Deputy Press Secretary since June 2016.  She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in public policy from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. 

McKenzie Johnson will join the press team as Deputy Press Secretary.  She joins Senator Crapo’s office from Smithsonian Enterprises, where she served as a website producer responsible for overseeing the public-facing website.  Johnson holds a Bachelor of Arts in business marketing and minors in political science and sports marketing from Assumption College. 

Jennifer Meservy joins Senator Crapo’s team as Staff Assistant, after serving as an intern in the Washington, D.C., office.  Meservy holds a master’s degree in global policy studies from the University of Texas and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Brigham Young University.  She will assume responsibilities for arranging tours for visiting Idahoans, will greet visitors to D.C., and will serve as the first line of communication for Idahoans calling the Washington office.

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