Topeka ? Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback has hired an aide to U.S. Sen. Pat Roberts to oversee his administration’s handling of federal grants.

The new federal grants program administrator is Jennifer Cook, who has worked for the Republican senator for more than a decade specializing in tax, banking and economic issues.

Cook joined Roberts’ staff as a legislative assistant in 2000 and became deputy legislative director in 2008.

She was office manager for Kansas Gov. Bill Graves and served as political director for his 1998 re-election campaign. She also was the coordinator of his 1999 inaugural festivities.

Cook holds a bachelor’s degree in political science degree from Washburn University and a master’s in Russian and Eastern European studies from the University of Kansas.