Southampton - Citing her deep roots in the community and vast private, public and political experience, self-made businessman Randy Altschuler announced that East Hamptons's Diana Weir will be the campaign manager for his 2012 congressional campaign.

Weir, is the former Executive Vice-President of the Long Island Housing Partnership (LIHP), is currently a member of the LIPA Board of Trustees, was the first Hispanic councilwoman on the East Hampton Town Board, and formerly served as Chief of Staff to Congressman Michael Forbes, directing the overall operations of the Washington and Long Island offices, resigning before Forbes defected to the Democratic Party in 1999.

"Diana is widely-respected across Long Island in the private, public and political arenas," said Altschuler. "I am thrilled to formally announce her hiring as the person leading my team on the ground. [Today's] news continues the positive momentum my campaign has demonstrated since I announced my plans to seek a rematch against Congressman Bishop last spring."

Prior to serving in government, Weir served as Senior Vice-President at the Bank of The Hamptons, and prior to that, as Senior Vice-President and Corporate Secretary for Smithtown Bancorp. Weir was appointed by Governor Pataki to the SUNY Stony Brook Council, served as a Suffolk County Human Rights Commissioner and co-chaired the Economic Development panel at the Long Island Hispanic Leadership Summit. Weir's honors include New York City El Diario/La Prensa's "Distinguished Latinas," Suffolk County Hispanic Heritage Month's "Hispanic Role Model" and the U.S. Small Business Administration's "Small Business Minority Advocate of the Year."

"Given the depressed state of our local economy, Long Island is in desperate need of a representative with Randy's business experience and proven track record of creating jobs," said Weir, who has two children and three grandchildren. "Raised by a single mother, Randy overcame his humble beginnings to turn himself into a successful entrepreneur. Randy embodies the American Dream and I couldn't be more excited to take on this challenge and lead the charge to defeat Tim Bishop in November."