Potomac Flacks

Sherrod Brown's CD Moving On

The Columbus Dispatch is reporting that, "Joanne Kuebeler, communications director for Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), will leave her job next month to join the Washington office of Global Campaign for Education, an international organization that champions the rights of every child in the world to have an educations. Kuebler has spent the past six years working for Brown. No word on who will replace her." (Columbus Dispatch). 

On another note - I'm blogging from 34,000 feet in the air - thank you Virgin America!

Voinovich Communications Staff Changes

Today is Chris Paulitz's (pictured) last day as communications director for Sen. George Voinovich (R-Oh.). On Monday, Chris will be joining the Association for Insured Retirement Solutions as vice president of communications and public affairs. Chris has been on the Hill for 10 years and has worked for both House and Senate leadership offices, the RNC, the NRCC and Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison. 

Garrette Silverman has been promoted to communications director in Voinovich's office. (PF Tipster)

Lonardo's New Job

Sara Lonardo is the new press secretary for the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee. She most recently worked for the House Education and Labor Committee, first as a staff assistant and then as a legislative associate. Lonardo was previously a field organizer for the 2006 Senate campaign of Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI). (CQ)

Matsui Hires New Communications Staffers

Alexis Marks has been promoted to communications director and rules associate for Rep. Doris Matsui (D-Calif.). Marks was senior legislative assistant and rules associate. She first joined Matsui's staff as a legislative assistant. Before that, she worked at AARP and as a legislative assistant at O'Connor & Hannan LLP. 

Mara Lee has been hired as press secretary for Matsui. Lee was deputy director for the New Hampshire Democratic Coordinated Campaign. She also worked as New Mexico state director for the presidential campaign of Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton and as press secretary at The Law Media Group. (CQ)

Rep. Ron Kind's New Press Secretary

Leah Hunter will be the new Press Secretary for Rep. Ron Kind (D-Wis.).  Hunter most recently worked for DBC PR+New Media in D.C. and before that, she worked for Rippe Keane Marketing, Inc. in Madison, Wis.  A native of Amherst, Wis., Hunter is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s School of Journalism. (PF Tipster)

Van Hollen's New Press Secretary

Bridgett Frey is Rep. Chris Van Hollen's (D-Md.) new press secretary. During 2008, she served as Press Secretary for Marylanders United to Stop Slots. She also spent time at Hildebrand Tewes Consulting as a senior project manager (CQ's "People on the Move")

Hastings Hires Communications Vet as Chief of Staff

Rep. Alcee Hastings (D-Fla.) has hired Lale Mamaux as chief of staff. Mamaux was communications director for the U.S. Helskinki Commission, which Hastings co-chairs. Before that, Mamaux was communications director for Rep. Robert Wexler (D-Fla.) and director of external relations for the National Association of Broadcasters' DTV Public Education Team (CQ's "People on the Move" Column). 

Johnson's New Communications Director

Rep. Hank Johnson (D-Ga.) has hired Andy Phelan as his new communications director. Andy comes to Johnson's office from The State newspaper in South Carolina where here was a Web producer. He was also the weekend editor at The Sumter Item. Phelan succeeds Carole Mumford who was interim communications director. Mumford will continue to work in Johnson's office as director of intergovernmental Relations (CQ's "People on the Move" column)

Sen. Kerry's Team is Changing

Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.) has made some changes to his communications team. David Wade, a well-known flack-about-town, will be Sen. John Kerry's new chief of staff. Wade has worked for Sen. Kerry since 1997, when he joined the staff has a speechwriter. Since 1997, he has held various roles in the Senate office on on Kerry's presidential campaign. Most recently, he was press secretary for Sen. Joe Biden, during this last election cycle. 

Jodi Seth, former communications director for Chairman John Dingell on the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, will join Kerry's staff as communications director. 

Frederick L. Jones II has been named communications director for Sen. Kerry at the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Jones was a career Foreign Service Officer for over ten years, serving both domestically and abroad in positions with the State Department and Executive Office of the President during the Bush and Clinton Administrations. (PF Tipster)

Luetkemeyer's New Press Secretary

Paul Sloca will join freshman U.S. Representative Blaine Luetkemeyer’s (R-MO) staff as Press Secretary, based in his Columbia office.  Sloca was Luetkemeyer’s spokesman during his congressional campaign. Before that, Sloca was Communications Director at the Missouri Republican Party and Deputy Communications Director for outgoing Gov. Matt Blunt (R-MO). He was also previously a writer for The Associated Press.  (CQ’s “People on the Move” column)