Potomac Flacks

Hoplin joins Pawlenty at FSR

First reported by Politico’s Influence, Eric Hoplin began as the new VP of communications and organizational strategy at the Financial Services Roundtable, where he will be advising CEO and President Tim Pawlenty on how to best "define, implement and communicate" the association's goals.

Hoplin was most recently at Booz Allen Hamilton, and previously was Deputy Chairman of the Republican Party of Minnesota and President of the College Republican National Committee.

He earned an undergraduate degree from St. Olaf College and Master's degrees from Augsburg College and Columbia University.  (Politico’s “Influence”)

MBAA Hires Veteran Flack Van Raaphorst

First reported in Politico’s “Influence,” Rob Van Raaphorst has joined the Mortgage Bankers Association as Director of Communications.

Van Raaphorst is a veteran of DCI Group, Burson-Marsteller and the Republican Governors Association.  (Politico’s “Influence”)

Outgoing RSC Flack Straessle joins API

Brian Straessle, who served as Communications Director at the House Republican Study Committee (RSC) under Chairman Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH), has joined the American Petroleum Institute (API) as spokesman.

Straessle served in the House for five years. 

Straessle is a graduate of the University of Florida.  (PF tipster)

BRT Names Jessica Boulanger Vice President of Communications

Business Roundtable (BRT) today named Capitol Hill and communications veteran Jessica Boulanger as Vice President of Communications. Boulanger, who brings extensive political communications and digital media experience, will report to Senior Vice President Tita Freeman, where she will oversee digital outreach, media relations, advertising and member communications for the association of chief executive officers of leading U.S. companies.

Boulanger spent the last four years as Vice President at New Media Strategies, a DC-based online marketing firm, where she led the Public Affairs practice, working to integrate digital strategy into public affairs campaigns for some of the nation’s leading industries. Prior to that, Boulanger worked for years on Capitol Hill in House Republican leadership, including four years serving as Press Secretary to then-House Majority Whip Roy Blunt (R-MO), along with stints in the press shops of former congressional leaders Conference Chairman Deborah Pryce (R-OH) and Majority Whip Tom DeLay (R-TX).

Boulanger also brings political experience to BRT. She served as Communications Director for the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) and as a Regional Press Secretary for the Republican National Committee (RNC). In 2005, Boulanger led communications for Progress for America, the leading outside group working to promote the nominations and confirmations of U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts and Associate Justice Samuel Alito.  Earlier in her career, Boulanger worked at Prism Public Affairs and in New York City at Robinson, Lerer & Montgomery, where her responsibilities included managing media surrounding the AOL-Time Warner merger.

Boulanger is a native of Fredonia, NY and earned a bachelor’s degree from Syracuse University. She is also a small business owner of a maternity clothing company that is produced domestically and sold globally via an e-commerce website.  (PF tipster)

Former DCCC Flack Rudominer Joins EEI

Edison Electric Institute (EEI) President Tom Kuhn announced that veteran communications strategist Ryan Rudominer has been named EEI’s Executive Director of Communications.

Rudominer was most recently at New Partners Consulting, where he provided an array of corporate and issue advocacy clients with strategic messaging, branding and tactical advice.

Additionally, Rudominer served as both a Regional and National Press Secretary respectively at the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee during the 2008 and 2010 cycles, and previously worked for years as a communications director on Capitol Hill for numerous Members of Congress and national and individual political campaigns.

Rudominer is a native of Mequon, WI and a graduate of Emory University.

EEI is the association of U.S. Shareholder-Owned Electric Companies, whose members serve 95 percent of the ultimate customers in the shareholder-owned segment of the industry, and represent approximately 70 percent of the U.S. electric power industry.  (PF tipster)

Hagan Flack Pfeiffer Named Executive Director for Capitol Hill Chamber of Commerce

Capitol Hill’s Chamber of Commerce (CHAMPS) announced that lifelong Capitol Hill resident Jack Pfeiffer has been named Executive Director.

Pfeiffer comes to CHAMPS after serving as the Press Secretary to U.S. Senator Kay Hagan (D-NC).  In that position, Pfeiffer collaborated extensively with businesses and industry to advance the Senator's efforts on the Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee as well as the Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee. Prior to working with Sen.r Hagan, Pfeiffer served in the Executive Office of Washington, DC Mayor Adrian Fenty.

CHAMPS is a non-profit 501(c)(6) organization actively promoting, educating, connecting and advocating on behalf of its business members in the Capitol Hill community.  For the last three years, CHAMPS sponsored the popular Hilly award program, which mobilized over 5,000 community residents to vote in support of neighborhood businesses.  (PF tipster)

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”)

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)

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)