Name: Rick Erkel
Hometown: Sacramento, Calif.Position: Senior legislative assistant for Rep. Nydia Velazquez, D-N.Y.Age: 33Alma Mater: Loyola Marymount University, California Western School of Law —-
Washington Examiner: How long have you been in Washington, and how did you end up working for Rep. Velazquez?
Erkel: I’ve been in Washington for about the last six years. I came out to Washington from California shortly after I graduated from law school in 2010. By my third year of law school, I knew I didn’t want to spend my career in the courtroom. Probably like most people who come to Washington, I wanted to work in government relations or on the Hill, something where I could mix my legal background with my interest in politics. My younger brother was going to Georgetown at the time, so I knew I’d have a place to stay while I looked for a job.
I came to work for Congresswoman Velazquez after working in a small policy and communications firm with clients in the financial and investment industries. While I really liked developing and managing our clients’ legislative and regulatory portfolios, I really wanted to work on those types of issues here on the Hill. Congresswoman Velazquez has always been such a strong and well-respected voice on economic and social issues — both on the Financial Services Committee and, of course, as ranking member of the Small Business Committee — so when I saw that she was looking for a senior legislative assistant to work on those types of issues and help manage her priorities with the House Financial Services Committee, I jumped at the opportunity and immediately sent in my resume.
Examiner: What do you like about working on housing issues? And what about the issue do you find interesting that probably most people aren’t aware of?
Erkel: What I like most about working on housing issues is that I get to help people purchase a home where they can start a family and raise their children. The purchase of a home is unlike the purchase of anything else. Usually, the purchase of a home is the biggest, and most important, financial decision a person or family will make in their lifetime. It needs to be done correctly and all interested parties need to be on the same page going into the purchase.
What I find interesting, and what many people don’t know, is how important housing is, not only to our economy and financial markets, but people’s lives in general. If someone struggles to meet their housing needs, they typically struggle to meet many of their other basic needs as well. For example, I recently helped the congresswoman in her effort to exempt New York City from a federal proposal that would have dramatically increased the monthly rent of more than 55,000 low-income people living in New York City, or even worse, could have forced people from their homes. To play a part in helping save more than 55,000 people from a rent increase and to help them stay in their home is a pretty humbling experience.
Examiner: What do you like most about working on the Hill?
Erkel: What I like most about working on the Hill is the speed at which it operates. I’m typically busy from the moment I arrive at work until last votes of the day, whenever that might be. But that suits me because I’m a total type-A personality and always need something to do. Being low-key is not my style.
Examiner: What do you like least?
Erkel: Honestly, what I like least about working on the Hill is the commute. I live in Fairfax, [Va.], and the commute on the Metro during rush hour can be a nightmare. I thought I would only be in Fairfax for my first few months in Washington, but I’ve found myself there for the last six years, and I’ve always worked downtown. And now with SafeTrack and Metro constantly tearing up the Orange Line, I find that it can take almost an hour and 20 minutes for me to get to and from work.
Examiner: What do you like best about being in Velazquez’s office?
Erkel: What I like best about working in Congresswoman Velazquez’s office is the people I get to work with every day. Everyone the congresswoman has hired — both here in Washington and in the district — extremely smart and dedicated. Everyone is willing to share ideas with one another and everyone is willing to collaborate. Even if it’s eventually decided that an idea may not work, you always feel like your voice is respected and you’re not afraid to share your ideas. Of course, this all starts at the top, and Congresswoman Velazquez has really emphasized an office environment focused on teamwork and cooperation.
Examiner: Do you think all the anti-Washington/government sentiment trickles down to the staff level and, if so, how do you cope/respond?
Erkel: I don’t. People may have different takes on an idea or a response to a problem, but at the staff level I feel there is a tremendous desire to treat one another with respect. I know many staffers in the majority party and I’m always willing to work with them.
Examiner: What’s your favorite anecdote so far about working on the Hill?
Erkel: My favorite anecdote is that my mom is always watching the Financial Services Committee hearings hoping to see me in the background. She still lives in Sacramento and because of the time change she usually watches the hearings in the mornings before she starts her day. She always wants to make sure my tie is straight!
Examiner: Do you still get lost in the Capitol basements and tunnels, be honest? Do you try to play it off when you make that wrong turn in front of others or do you just fess up?
Erkel: I do! I know my way around the House tunnels pretty well, but I still always have to use the same corridors to make sure I don’t get lost. But on the Senate side, I’m a mess. I usually have to leave at least 30 minutes before a meeting in the Senate because I know I’ll get lost.
I always fess up and ask for directions, but, yes, honestly, it takes a long time for me to ask directions.
