U.S. Rep. John Rose Names Leah Grider Chief of Staff

COOKEVILLE, TN—Today, U.S. Representative John Rose (TN-06) announced the promotion of Smith County native Leah (Bane) Grider to Chief of Staff—a testament to Tennessee talent leading at the highest level. Grider has served the constituents of Tennessee’s Sixth Congressional District with dedication since 2019, first as Director of Operations from the Washington office and as Deputy Chief of Staff since 2022.

“Leah embodies everything that makes Tennessee great: faith, grit, and a deep commitment to serving others,” Rep. Rose said. “Her leadership and relentless dedication have set a high bar for our office, and I am thrilled that she will continue leading my team in this capacity.”

 

In her new role, Grider will oversee all operations of Congressman Rose’s Washington, Cookeville, and Gallatin offices. Like Rep. Rose, she will commute to Washington for legislative business but reside in Tennessee to carry out critical constituent services. Grider will also serve as a senior advisor for policy and ensure effective outreach across the 19 counties Rep. Rose represents in Congress.

 

“Working for the people of Tennessee’s Sixth Congressional District isn’t just a job—it’s an honor,” Grider said. “I’m passionate about serving the communities that shaped me, and I am committed to bringing their strong voices and Tennessee values to this job every day.”

 

Prior to joining the team in 2019, Leah served as Economic Development Planner for the Upper Cumberland Development District and also spent time in community banking and independent pharmacy, bringing valuable insights and a true understanding of the people she serves.

 

Grider was raised in Carthage, Tennessee, and is a graduate of Smith County High School. She is also an alumna of Tennessee Technological University, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Accounting. Leah lives in Knoxville with her husband, Michael, and is based out of the Cookeville office.