Rep.-elect Peter Welch, D-VT, has added two more people to his staff and selected a location for his district office in Vermont.

Patricia Coates, who once worked for U.S. Sen. Patrick Leahy and currently heads the history department at a pair of private schools in Albany, will become state director for Welch. Coates, 41, grew up in Brandon and graduated from St. Michael's College.

"Tricia is a consummate professional who brings to this job strong management skills, solid political and public policy experience and a deep commitment to her Vermont roots," Welch said.

Coates will move back to Vermont, likely taking up residence near the district office Welch will open at 30 Main Street in Burlington. Welch is taking over office space retiring Sen. Jim Jeffords, I-VT, has occupied.

Andrew Savage, 25, will become Welch's communication director in Washington, D.C. Savage has worked with Welch for most of the time since graduating from Middlebury College. He served first as director of the Democratic state senate campaign. Then he managed the office of the Senate Pro Tempore for Welch. This past year he served as communications director for Welch's congressional campaign.

Welch described Savage as "an outstanding communicator with a thorough understanding of Vermont."

Andrew, a nordic ski racer in college, will be doing a lot less cross-country skiing based in DC -- the price of success in politics.

-- Nancy Remsen