Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse announced two staffing changes Monday morning.

Matt Thornton, former communications director for Congresman Zack Space, D-Ohio, will take over the communications director position for Whitehouse beginning Tuesday, Aug. 11.

Thornton, who grew up in Kansas, will oversee all press operations for the senator. Whitehouse's announcement describes Thornton as a "veteran of campaigns and Capitol Hill," and notes he has worked in Pennsylvania, Florida and Ohio. He earned both an undergraduate and graduate degree from the University of Pennsylvania.

Former deputy press secretary Seth Larson has also been promoted to the press secretary position. An Exeter, R.I. native, Larson will now serve as the contact for Rhode Island media requests.

Larson refused to release the employees' salaries, although he acknowledged the information is a matter of public record given that the staffers are paid with taxpayer dollars.

"It is public record," he said. But "I talked to our chief of staff. It's our office policy not to comment on staff salaries."

The hirings were triggered in part by the departure of former press secretary Alex Swartsel. Having served the senator since his 2006 election, Swartsel left Whitehouse's office in July to pursue an MBA at the Yale School of Management.