Potomac Flacks

EXCLUSIVE: Former Rep. Noem flack McCarthy moves to Cato

Andrea McCarthy is the new Media Relations Manager at the Cato Institute.  In that role, she will be doing print media outreach, as well as editing and pitching opinion columns written by Cato experts.

She was previously Communications Director for Rep. Kristi Noem (R-SD), in addition to serving as Press Secretary for House Majority Whip Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) and Deputy Press Secretary for Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R-CA).

McCarthy is a native of Red Bluff, CA and a graduate of Pepperdine University.  (PF tipster)

Heritage’s Cooper Named Communications Director for Majority Leader Cantor

Politico’s “Playbook,” reports that Rory Cooper has been named Communications Director for House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-VA), starting September 10.

Cooper is currently Communications Director at the Heritage Foundation.  He began his career at the Republican Governors Association and the National Republican Campaign Committee.

In 2011 Cooper was named a “Rising Star” by Campaign and Elections Magazine, an honor given to "a select group of operatives age 35 and under who have an established track record of achievement in political consulting or advocacy and the promise to achieve greatness."

Before joining Heritage in 2008 as Director of Strategic Communications, Cooper served for more than seven years in the administration of George W. Bush, completing his service as a senior policy adviser at the U.S. Department of Energy.

Between 2001 and 2004, Cooper was an aide in the Bush White House, first as associate director of policy and plans in the newly formed Office of Homeland Security, then as associate director of intergovernmental affairs for the Homeland Security Council.

In the wake of the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, Cooper was instrumental in formation of the Department of Homeland Security and production of the first National Strategy for Homeland Security. His initial administration post was as deputy White House liaison to Housing and Urban Development Secretary Mel Martinez.

Cooper also served at NASA as the first director of the space agency's newly created Division of Outreach and Intergovernmental Affairs, following an assignment with the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) Commission.

Cooper holds a bachelor's degree in international relations and political science from Tulane University in New Orleans, La. He originally hails from Franklin, Mich., outside Detroit.  (Politico’s “Playbook”)

Cato’s Scoville Heads to CRAFT Media/Digital

First reported in Politico’s “Morning Money”, Cato Institute Manager of New Media George Scoville is departing for a new job as Senior Campaign Manager at CRAFT Media/Digital.

While at Cato, Scoville specialized in “new media communications and strategy, technology, regulatory, social and economic policy, and American politics”.

Scoville is also the Editor and Founder of a blog, the Dangerous Servant, a website dedicated to monitoring and reporting on government failures and abuses of government power.

Scoville holds bachelor’s degrees in philosophy and political science from Belmont University in his hometown of Nashville, Tennessee, and a master of public policy from American University.  (Politico’s “Influence”)

JOB OF THE WEEK: Heritage Foundation’s Center for Media and Public Policy, Investigative Journalist

The Heritage Foundation, through its Center for Media and Public Policy, is hiring an Investigative Journalist to conduct original reporting on policy issues.  The mission of the Center is changing to include a D.C.-based investigative reporter to join the Heritage team to help them become a leader in nonprofit journalism.

Full job posting here.

Here are a few highlights:

• Multitasking is essential for this position. Given the 24/7 news cycle, it’s no longer sufficient for an investigative reporter to spend weeks or even months on one story. Heritage is looking for a reporter who can consistently break news while also working on long-term investigative projects.

• Quality sources and solid research are essential. Heritage is seeking someone with a proven track record who can identify unique and interesting story ideas by combing through government documents and following up on story leads from Heritage’s policy experts.

• Reporters can’t be one-dimensional anymore. Over the past year, the Heritage Foundation has had great success with news-oriented videos on timely and relevant issues. They want to develop personal stories that communicate complex policy subjects.  (PF tipster)