Dick Durbin: “I have often remarked that the education of a Senator is a daunting task. Fortunately, the U.S. Senate is blessed with…”

“I have often remarked that the education of a Senator is a daunting task. Fortunately, the U.S. Senate is blessed with many talented staff who are dedicated to that challenge. Among them is Ms. Teri Spoutz, a professional staff member of the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee for the past 5 years. To read through Teri's accomplishments is to understand how fortunate the Senate is to be able to attract some of the best talent in Washington, DC. Teri grew up in southern California and began her career as a civilian at Los Angeles Air Force Base. As a financial manager, she served in a variety of positions overseeing major acquisitions of satellites and rockets for the Air Force. Teri and her family then left sunny California for the cold, windswept plains of the missile fields at F.E. Warren Air Force Base, WY, as her husband, Stephen, pursued his promising career as an Air Force officer. The Spoutz family landed in Washington, DC, in 2003, and Teri continued her work in the Pentagon. By 2008, Teri had been promoted to the Senior Executive Service as the Chief of Budget Investment for the Department of the Air Force. For nearly 3 years, Teri was the top financial overseer of all Air Force procurement, research and development, and military construction funding. In March 2011, Teri was persuaded to join the staff of the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee under the leadership of Chairman Daniel Inouye.…”