Senate Republican Conference and incoming Senate Commerce Committee Chairman John Thune, R-S.D., name Brendon Plack staff director of conference, and he will continue to oversee operations in Thune’s personal office; Ann Marie Hauser, ex-Patomak Global Partners, hired as deputy staff director of the conference; AshLee Strong promoted to senior communications director; Frederick Hill, ex-aide to Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Calif., named communications director for the committee ... Comtech Telecommunications hires Stanton Sloane, ex-Decision Sciences International, as CEO and president, effective by Feb. 1, succeeding Fred Kornberg, who becomes executive chairman ... Media General hires John McCarus, ex-DigitasLBi, as chief strategy officer, digital media business, new post.