Potomac Flacks

Androff Departs T&I for Interior

On Wednesday Blake Androff announced that after seven years on Capitol Hill, tomorrow (June 1) is his last day serving as Communications Director at the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee (Minority staff).

Androff has been appointed Deputy Communications Director at the U.S. Department of Interior.  Androff’s replacement has not yet been named.

Androff’s career on Capitol Hill began as Communications Assistant for Rep. Darlene Hooley (D-OR) from 2005-2008, then as Communications Director at the House Natural Resources Committee for three years until he joined T&I in 2011.

Androff is a graduate of Lewis & Clark College.  (PF tipster)

Santorum Aide Haley Named Press Secretary for Ann Romney

First reported by ABC News, the Romney campaign has “hired a new press secretary to handle the schedule of Ann Romney, an indication that the 63-year-old grandmother of 18 will soon be ramping up her public schedule.”

“Sarah Haley, formerly of Sen. Rick Santorum’s presidential campaign, where she served as the national coalitions director as well as the director of communications for Karen Santorum, has been picked for the job."

Previously, Haley served as the spokeswoman for Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-AL) and at Fox News Channel.

Haley is a graduate of the University of Memphis and a native of Germantown, TN.  (ABC News)

Blue Engine Message & Media Continues Growth

Adam Abrams, former regional communications director and spokesman at the White House has joined Blue Engine Message & Media. Adam's background in Democratic politics is vast - he has held a variety of communications roles throughout the party - including working on the Hill for Cong. Patrick Murphy and in the communications shop of the DCCC, under then-chairman Rahm Emanuel. (PF Tipster)

TOUGH JOB: Communications Director, DC Councilman Marion Barry

Washington, DC Councilman Marion Barry is looking for a communications director. The Washington Post’s Monica Hesse looks at what interested candidates might expect through interviews with Barry’s former press secretaries. Their advice includes:

- “You have to be high energy,” says Linda Wharton Boyd, who was Mayor Barry’s communications director from 1997-1999. “There’s never a dull moment. . . . You have to hit the ground flying.”

- Make sure you’re a step ahead of him,” says Andre Johnson, a former Barry communications director. “He has a memory like a photo. Never promise him something and then forget to do it. Because he will not forget.  And he will haunt you.”

- Raymone Bain served as Barry’s press secretary in the mid-1990s and went on to represent many celebrities, including Michael Jackson.  She says Barry always appreciated her willingness to speak her mind.  “It was either Mrs. Barry or I who was saying, ‘You can’t say that; this is not the way to say that,’ ” Bain says.  Barry’s fourth wife, Cora, was his communications director.  Bain recalls one event where members of the community were airing their grievances, and he breezily responded, “Oh, well. People in hell want ice water, too.”  “I thought,” she says, “I would die.”  (Washington Post)

Clemente Departs House Republican Policy Committee for American Action Forum

First reported in Politico’s “Huddle,” Noelle Clemente is joining "the American Action Forum as Press Secretary.

She joins AAF from the leadership office of House Republican Policy Committee Chairman Tom Price (R-GA)," where she's been serving in the same role. "Clemente's hire is part of a coordinated effort to expand AAF's media role in the policy fights of 2012 and beyond."

Clemente had previously worked as a Research Associate at the Heritage Foundation.

Clemente is a 2010 graduate of Elon University.  (Politico’s “Huddle”)

Comms Vet Frohlich, Lewan to Pro-Ethanol Growth Energy

Per Politico’s “Influence,” an association that represents producers and supporters of ethanol, Growth Energy, has “tapped Michael Frohlich to be its new Spokesman and Press Secretary. Frohlich is a former strategic partner at Madison Government Affairs and Director of Media Relations for the National Association of Manufacturers. The ethanol lobby will also add Michael Lewan as a public affairs associate, to its Washington, D.C., communications team.”

Frohlich previously served as Communications Director for Rep. Randy Neugebauer (R-TX) and as Press Secretary for Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-NC).  He was also a Professional Staff member for the House Administration Committee.

Frohlich is a native of Rochester, NY, a diehard Yankees fan and a B.S. in Political Science graduate of Gettysburg College.  (Politico’s “Daily Influence”)

JOB OF THE WEEK: C2ES, Communications Manager

The Center for Climate and Energy Solutions (C2ES), formerly the Pew Center on Global Climate Change, seeks a highly qualified and experienced Communications Manager to manage key communications functions, including media relations and in-house writing.

The ideal candidate for this position will demonstrate a commitment to C2ES’s mission and have at least 5-6 years’ communications experience, preferably in Washington and/or on environmental/energy issues.

TO APPLY: Visit -- http://www.c2es.org/about/career-opportunities/communications-manager (PF tipster)

Lansing Leaves House Budget Committee for NRCC

Gerrit Lansing, the Press Secretary for the House Budget Committee (majority) under Chairman Paul Ryan (R-WI) announced that we has departed the committee to become the new Digital Director at the National Republican Campaign Committee (NRCC), effective Monday, April 30.

He has previously served as New Media Director for Rep. Peter Roskam (R-IL) and got his start in DC as a blogger at the Heritage Foundation.

Lansing is a native of Lake Forest, IL and a 2007 graduate of Sewanne-The University of the South.  (PF tipster)

International Franchise Association Makes Changes to Communications Team

First reported in Politico’s “Daily Influence,” the "International Franchise Association has made a slew of leadership changes to the communications and public affairs staff.  IFA President and CEO Steve Caldeira promoted Alisa Harrison, now VP of communications and marketing, to SVP of communications and marketing. Matthew Haller, is moving into the newly created role of VP of public affairs and chief of staff to the president and CEO, after service as senior director of communications.”  (Politico’s “Daily Influence”)

JOB OF THE WEEK: NACDS, Communications/Journalism Professional (Alexandria, VA)

National trade association representing chain pharmacy industry seeks communications professional with strong journalism skills to join Marketing, Communications & Media Relations team at the National Association of Chain Drug Stores, located in Old Town Alexandria (moving to Arlington in Fall 2012).

This position will take responsibility for telling the story of chain pharmacy and of the association through electronic communications and media relations.  If you possess journalistic instincts, impeccable writing skills, and a desire to apply technology in a way that defines a new standard, this job is for you.  This position will provide an exciting opportunity to combine web writing, media relations, social media, and journalism skills in a team-oriented and proactive environment.

Minimum qualifications: Excellent written and verbal communications skills. Knowledge of digital marketing techniques.  Three years experience in journalism, communications/media relations/marketing, preferably in media outlet, government (Capitol Hill, Administration, Agency), Association, corporation or public relations agency.   Proficiency with software application tools and MS Office.

TO APPLY: Submit resume, cover letter with salary requirement, and a writing sample to NACDS at getajob@nacds.org.  (PF tipster)

DCNET Announces New Board

 

 

 

 

 

Today the Democratic Communicators Network (DCNet), the professional association for Democratic press and communications staff, announced its new board of directors: 

Brad Bauman, Executive Director, Congressional Progressive Caucus
Ellis Brachman, Communications Director, House Democratic Caucus
Adam Hodge, Regional Press Secretary, DNC
Leah Hunter, Communications Director, Rep. Ron Kind
Will Jenkins, Communications Director, Sen. Jim Webb
Hannah Kim, Communications Director, Rep. Charles B. Rangel
Lesley J. Lopez, Communications Director, Congressional Hispanic Caucus
Sarah Lovenheim, Deputy Director of New Media, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid
Cleve Mesidor, Director of Public Affairs, Economic Development Administration, Department of Commerce
Emily Spain, Communications Director, Sen. Tom Carper

DCNet brings communicators together to share their experiences, learn new skills, brainstorm strategies and build alliances on and off the Hill in order to strengthen Democratic message making. Hundreds of communicators from the House, Senate, the Administration, nonprofits and the private sector regularly participate in DCNet's networking and professional development activities, including:

More information at www.demcoms.net. (PF tipster)

 

Experienced Flack Lee Departs TSA for Senior Communications Role at Microsoft in DC

Microsoft has hired Kristin Lee as a Senior Public Relations Manager in the DC office.

Lee brings nearly a decade of communications experience in the federal government, campaign, and non-profit sectors. Most recently, she served in the Obama administration’s U.S. Department of Homeland Security as the Director of Public Affairs at the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).  In this role, Lee directed the agency’s external and internal communications – including rapid response and social media operations – and served as the chief spokesperson. 

During her tenure at TSA, Kristin focused on strengthening the agency’s ability to communicate with the public and the press.  She helped coordinate the agency’s rapid response efforts to many high-profile events including the attempted terrorist attack on Christmas Day 2009 and the air cargo bomb plot, and shaped the agency’s media strategy for the 10 year anniversary of 9/11. 

Before joining the Obama administration, Lee worked as the Majority Communications Director for the House Rules Committee.  During the 2008 presidential campaign, she served as the Surrogate Press Secretary for the Obama campaign in Pennsylvania.  Prior to joining the Obama campaign, Kristin worked for Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign in seven states, serving as a statewide communications director and press desk, among other roles.  In the 2006 election cycle, Lee worked as the National Press Secretary for the League of Conservation Voters.

A California native, Lee also served as Deputy Press Secretary for U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA).  She started her career as an editorial assistant at The Los Angeles Times.

Lee holds a Masters degree in political communication from Johns Hopkins University and a Bachelors degree in journalism and literature from the University of California, Santa Cruz.  She is a native of Auburn, CA.  (PF tipster)

DOT Speechwriter Kieffer Heads to West Wing Writers as Principal

First reported in Politico’s “Playbook,” the DC-based firm West Wing Writers announced that Jonas Kieffer, Director of Speechwriting at the U.S. Department of Transportation, is joining the firm as its newest Principal.

Jonas served as Chief Speechwriter to Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood.

Before joining the Obama administration in 2010, Kieffer was Chief Speechwriter / Senior Writer at the Rockefeller Foundation from 2007-2010.  Before that he was a speechwriter for former Gov. Jon Corzine (D-NJ).

Kieffer is a native of Ann Arbor, MI and a 2005 magna cum laude graduate of Brown University.  (Politico’s “Playbook”)

JOB OF THE WEEK: D.C. Courts, Communication Specialist

The D.C. Courts is accepting applications for Communication Specialist (Salary: $89,033 - $115,742).

The incumbent:

• Works under the supervision of the Director of Governmental and Public Affairs, and is responsible for coordinating internal communications among the approximately 1500 employees of the D.C. Courts
• Develops communications plans for each of the various court initiatives and events which include: Building a Great Place to Work, Strategic Management, Work/Life Balance, Health and Wellness, Strategic Human Resources, Black History Month, Hispanic Heritage Month, Law Day, Domestic Violence Awareness Week, Foster Parents Month, the annual Employee Awards Ceremony, and other events that the courts commemorate.
• Develops and manages intranet content, ensuring that it is relevant and of interest to and easily accessible by all court employees; Coordinates publication of the Courts’ newsletter, the Full Court Press on a bi-monthly basis.
• Develops new channels of communication between divisions, units, teams and their employees, to enhance employee engagement and the productivity of the D.C. Courts, and thus to enhance public trust and confidence in the judiciary.

Minimum qualifications: A bachelor's degree in Journalism, Communications, Public Relations, Advertising, or a related field, plus five (5) years of experience in public relations or communications.  An advanced degree in a related field can be substituted for up to two years of required experience.  Documentation of education must be submitted with your application or your application will not be considered. Position closes on 4/23/12.

TO APPLY: Submit the D.C. Courts Application and ranking factor responses by: mail to D.C. Courts, Human Resources Division, 500 Indiana Avenue, NW, Washington, DC  20001; FAX to (202)879-4212; hand-deliver to D.C. Courts, HR Division, Gallery Place (7th Street, NW between H & F Streets), Sixth Floor, Washington, D.C.; email to jobs@dcsc.gov.

To obtain the complete announcement and a court application, visit our website at www.dccourts.gov/jobs   or call (202) 879-0496 and ask to speak with Nancy Matos.  (PF tipster)

Roskam Flack Conston to The Action Forum

Reported by Roll Call, Dan Conston started Monday as Communications Director for The Action Forum, a consortium of Republican-aligned groups (issue advocacy firm American Action Network, the policy institute American Action Forum and the Congressional Leadership Fund super PAC, which supports House candidates).

Conston had been serving as a top communications aide to Chief Deputy Majority Whip Peter Roskam (R-IL).

Before rejoining Roskam’s office in 2011, Conston managed communications in 2010 for then-Rep. Jerry Moran’s (R-KS) Senate primary and for the Florida GOP for the general. In 2008, he did press for the presidential campaigns of former Sen. Fred Thompson (R-TN) and Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) before joining Roskam for the first time in 2009.

Conston is a graduate of The George Washington University.  (Roll Call)

Former Barrasso, Royce Flack Keeley Joins TechAmerica in Defense/Homeland Security Policy Role

Gregory Keeley has joined the TechAmerica, a leading voice for the U.S. technology industry representing approximately 1,000 member companies, as Vice President of Defense & Homeland Security Policy handling the defense, homeland security and intelligence portfolios.

Keeley has an extensive background in defense policy including senior positions in the House and the Senate. He is also a Reserve officer in the U.S. Navy, recently returning from a nine month deployment to Afghanistan.

Most recently, Keeley was Senior Vice President at Monument Capital Group – a DC based defense and intelligence focused private equity firm. Prior to that, he spent five years working in Congress. Keeley once served as Communications Director for Reps. Jim Saxton (R-NJ) and Ed Royce (R-CA) and U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-WY) and was elected president of the Senate Press Secretaries Association in 2008.  Keeley has the distinction of having worked in the Australian Parliament and serving in the Royal Australian Navy, which included postings and deployments in Australia, the Pacific, Iraq and Afghanistan. He served as a Military Liaison Officer to the U.S. Department of Defense in 2003.  (PF tipster)

Doug Heye to Team Cantor as Deputy Chief of Staff

Politico's Jake Sherman scoops that veteran Republican operative Doug Heye is joining Majority Leader Eric Cantor’s press office as deputy chief of staff.

Heye, who was most recently an adviser to the Iowa Republican party, fills the spot of Brad Dayspring, who left the Virginia Republican’s office and joined the YG Action Network super PAC. Heye will be responsible for overseeing the Cantor press operation, which has four other staffers.

It’s a return to Capitol Hill for widely respected Heye, who previously worked for former Rep. Richard Pombo (R-CA) and Sen. Richard Burr (R-NC).

Heye is a native of North Carolina and a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.  (Politico)

God Speed!

Longtime Conrad Aide Thorne Named VP of Communications for the Beer Institute

Today, the Beer Institute announced the hiring of Chris Thorne as Vice President of Communications for the trade association, whose members produce more than 90 percent of beer consumed in the U.S.

Thorne, a Capitol Hill veteran and a former reporter, will lead the Beer Institute’s communications strategy directed at policymakers, the alcohol beverage industry, the media and other stakeholders.

Thorne, 44, served more than seven years in the communications office of Sen. Kent Conrad (D-ND), including four years as Communications Director before taking over as chief media and political strategist for Conrad, the Senate Budget Committee Chairman.  Prior to his years on Capitol Hill, Thorne was a reporter for the Associated Press, where he covered banking, manufacturing, farming, energy and politics.  Most recently, Thorne was Director of Public Affairs for Growth Energy, a trade association representing U.S. ethanol producers, where he oversaw national advertising, media relations and marketing, including American Ethanol’s partnership with NASCAR.  (PF tipster)

National Retail Federation Names Wilson Vice President of Communications; Davis Moves to NRF Foundation

The National Retail Federation recently announced that Katie Wilson has been named Vice President of Communications. In this role, Wilson will be responsible for overseeing NRF’s industry efforts, a multitude of communication vehicles, and advancing NRF advocacy priorities on issues important to the retail community. She will begin at NRF on April 9 and will assume many of the responsibilities of Ellen Davis, who was recently named NRF Senior Vice President and Executive Director of the NRF Foundation.

Wilson joins NRF from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, where she serves as Senior Director of Communications and Strategy. While at the Chamber, she has played a key role in developing strategic communications campaigns to advance the Chamber’s jobs agenda including the development and launch of the Campaign for Free Enterprise and the Project for Regulatory Reform. Before joining the Communications Division, Wilson managed all communications activities for the U.S. Chamber’s Global Intellectual Property Center.

Prior to the Chamber, Wilson was an associate at Gallatin Public Affairs in Portland, Oregon, a Northwest boutique public affairs firm. Previously Wilson served in the Office of the Vice President for the George W. Bush administration.

A native of Idaho, Wilson graduated from Whitman College, with a bachelor of arts in politics and a minor in Spanish.  (PF tipster)

The Herald Group Expands; Opens Austin Office

The Herald Group, LLC, a national bipartisan public affairs and issues management firm, has opened an office in Austin, TX, and named longtime policy and communication strategist Cary Roberts as the managing director. Roberts, who brings more than two decades of government and public relations experience to the Washington, D.C.-based firm, will provide corporations, associations and coalitions with innovative communication, legislative and regulatory strategies in southeastern states.

“As The Herald Group increasingly works with clients on multistate campaigns, especially in the southeast, expanding in Austin is a natural choice for us,” said Matt Well, a founding partner of The Herald Group. “We’ve worked with Cary for many years, and his experience in high stakes corporate and public affairs campaigns, coupled with his creativity, will be a distinct benefit to our clients as well as to the future growth of the firm.”  

The Herald Group develops and executes integrated communication strategies to successfully navigate public and private sector clients through complex business, public policy and regulatory challenges at the local, state, national and international levels. Senior-level practitioners implement the firm’s digital-age, campaign-style strategies to achieve meaningful results.