Program Staff
Lindsay Brand
Director,
Support Services
Lindsay is the Director of Support Services in the United States Senate Sergeant at Arms, with oversight of five sections that provide services for the Senate community: Senate Photographic Services, Capitol Telephone Exchange, Senate Hair Care, Administrative Services, and the Stars of Valor Fellowships Program. Ahead of establishing Stars of Valor fellowship opportunities in the Senate, Lindsay was a Professional Staff Member for the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs. She joined the Committee in April 2019 and had oversight of policies concerning DoD-VA transitions, veteran readiness and employment programs, veteran homelessness, and toxic exposure. She also served in the Wounded Warrior Fellowship Program in the U.S. House of Representatives. As a fellow, she worked in constituent services, specifically focused on the more than 80,000 veterans in Southern Arizona. Lindsay served 12 years in the Active-Duty U.S. Army and was deployed to Afghanistan for more than four years in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. She was medically retired from the Army in 2015 as a Sergeant First Class (E7).
Mark Paolicelli
Deputy Director,
Support Services
A native of Pittsburgh, PA, Mark Paolicelli retired from the U.S. Marine Corps in 2022 after serving honorably for over 28 years. Mark began in the Marine Corps career by enlisting into the reserves in 1993. He received his commission upon graduating from Norwich University in 1996 with a BA in Criminal Justice. Mark became a field artillery officer and later a Joint Terminal Attack Controller and deployed seven times during his career with multiple combat deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan. He served in various roles and assignments during his Marine Corps career; most notably as a Congressional Fellow for Senator Jack Reed and in his final assignment as the Deputy Commander for Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall. In September 2025, he assumed his duties as the Deputy Director for Support Services. He resides in Alexandria, Virginia with his wife, Courtney, their daughter Molly, and their goldendoodle, Winston.
Maddison Rafferty
Program Coordinator
Maddison is the Program Coordinator for the Stars of Valor Fellowships Program in the United States Senate Sergeant at Arms (SAA). She coordinates program operations and facilitates up to 100 paid two-year fellowship opportunities in Washington DC and Senate offices across the country. In addition she coordinates the candidate experience and fellow recruitment as well as other administrative functions for the program. Before her current role in the SAA, Maddison passionately supported Active-Duty, Veteran, and Gold Star Families by advocating for military family policy initiatives with Blue Star Families. Prior to that, she worked at the Colorado Springs Chamber & EDC as the Military Affairs Council (MAC) liaison supporting military and veteran communities and providing economic development support for the Aerospace and Defense sector. She also served as a Hiring Our Heroes Fellow, assisting with talent and workforce initiatives. Maddison is the spouse of an Active–Duty service member.