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Contact: Dave Yonkman
202-225-4401
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Hoekstra Hires Marine Veteran, GVSU Grad Derek Atkinson
Atkinson Currently Serving as Systems Administrator/New Media Outreach in Hoekstra’s Holland District Office
Washington,
Feb 27, 2009 -
U.S. Rep. Pete Hoekstra, R-Holland, has hired Marine Corps veteran and recent Grand Valley State University graduate Derek Atkinson to serve as his Systems Administrator/New Media Outreach staff member in his Holland District Office.
“It has never been more important to efficiently leverage emerging technology as a tool to reach out to constituents,” Hoekstra said. “Derek is very knowledgeable and talented in the realm of managing new media and will help streamline the flow of communication from my online office to West Michigan.”
Atkinson, 27, graduated from Grand Valley State University in December 2008 with a Bachelor of Arts in political science. Atkinson also holds an associate’s degree in digital film and video production from Washtenaw Community College in Ann Arbor.
Before starting college in 2004, Atkinson served four years in the United States Marine Corps. His experience included a tour in Afghanistan in 2001 through 2002 in which his unit reopened the American Embassy in Kabul after a 12-year hiatus due to the Russian-Afghanistan war.
“I have grown to appreciate all that West Michigan has to offer since transferring to Grand Valley State in 2006,” Atkinson said. “It is an absolute honor to work for Congressman Hoekstra, and I look forward to maximizing the use of technology and new media as an opportunity to increase access to Representative Hoekstra and the services that his office provides.”
In the Systems Administrator/New Media Outreach role, Atkinson will manage Hoekstra’s online office at http://hoekstra.house.gov, as well as implement new and existing technologies to improve communications and outreach to constituents.
Atkinson is the son of Gloria and Ruben Lozano of Adrian and Dan and Betty Gorton of Holland.
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