The Capitol lobbying firm of Aponte & Busam Public Affairs announced some staffing moves last week, promoting Sara Odendahl to principal and adding Kachina Weaver as the firm’s senior political consultant.

Weaver brings more than 20 years of state and local public policy experience, the firm boasts. She joins Aponte & Busam on Wednesday from the Colorado Department of Higher Education as its chief policy officer. Weaver also was a policy adviser to the House Majority Office, meaning Democrats.

Before she came to Colorado, Weaver did political work in her home state of Connecticut, including 12 years with the state Conference of Municipalities.

“In her first year, Kachina will work closely with the rest of the lobby team across the Firm’s diverse portfolio with the goal of targeting her considerable skill set and experience to best serve clients’ needs,” the firm said in a statement.

Odendahl has been with Aponte & Busam for nine years. Before her new role on the firm’s leadership team, she was a political consultant. Odendahl also has 15 years of strategic communications work.

“She is skilled in public relations, media affairs and strategy development for public, private and non-profit organization,” the firm stated. “Sara is currently a direct lead for the Firm’s clients in areas of health care, legal and nonprofit policy.”

The firm was founded in 1994 and owned by Ruth Aponte, joined by principal member Edie Busam.