Credentials: He has long experience on Capitol Hill, where he has worked as chief of staff for Sens. Max Baucus (D-Mont.) and Byron L. Dorgan (D-N.D.), and Rep. Carolyn McCarthy (D-N.Y.). He also has frequently switched over from staff work to work in political campaigns. He is a graduate of the University of Montana.
What he offers: Messina, 39, brings a realpolitik view, developed working in the hurly-burly of Congress and as a political consultant on campaigns from Alaska to New York. He is director of personnel for the Obama transition team and served as chief of staff for Obama's presidential campaign.
Vetting: Messina has been accused of intense partisanship and using harshly negative ads in his political consulting work.
Quote: "I believe that politics is truly a merit-based world. If you work hard and you're honest -- and you keep winning -- you'll get to rise. In my early political jobs, I was the kid who was the first in the office and the last to leave. And it's still kind of true."