Potomac Flacks

'08 Press Shop Staff Listings: Fred Thompson

Fmr. Sen. Fred Thompson (R-TN)
Based in Nashville, TN

Linda Schoumacher Rozett - Communications Director
  Rozett was Senior V.P. for Communications at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

Mark Corallo - Official Spokesman (Unpaid?)
  Former staffer for Sen. Thompson, former DOJ A/S for Public Affairs.

Robert Traynham - Senior Communications Advisor
  Former Communications Director for the Senate Republican Conference under its Chairman Rick Santorum (R-PA).

Jim Mills - National Spokesman
  Mills was longtime Senior Congressional Producer (House) for the Fox News Channel.

Burson Taylor Snyder - Press Aide
  Snyder was Communications Director for House Minority Whip Roy Blunt (R-MO).

Tim Griffin - Communications / Message Advisor
  Former Research Director at the RNC, former U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas.

Blaise Hazelwood - eCampaign Advisor
  Currently works at iWeb Strategies, former Political Director at the RNC for the '00 and '04 cycles, constructor of the "Voter Vault"

Ken Smith - eCampaign Advisor
  Currently Chief Strategist for Episode 49, clients include RNC and NRSC

Todd Ziegler - eCampaign Advisor
  Currently works for the Bivings Group, a former intern for Sen. Thompson

Mike Turk - Chief Architect, Website (Online Communications)
  Former Bush-Cheney '04 eDirector

Dan Hopkins - eCampaign Advisor
  Currently works at Segmented Media

Jon Henke - New Media Consultant
  Background unknown

Pete Snyder - Web Outreach / Online "Intelligence"
  Currently works at New Media Strategies

** Background and current positions from Marc Ambinder's blog at the Atlantic.

Fox News Veteran Producer Jim Mills Joins Fred Thompson's Team as National Spokesman

Fox News Channel Senior Congressional Producer Jim Mills is joining Friends of Fred Thompson as Spokesman.  He will start Aug. 20.  ( NBC First Read, Mike Viqueira)

Fred Thompson Campaign Research Director Resigns

J.T. Mastriandi, the Research Director for former Senator Fred Thompson's (R-TN) nascent presidential campaign, has resigned.  Mastriandi was previously Research Director for the NRSC. ( The Atlantic's Marc Ambinder)

Wallen Named As Railroaders' New Public Affairs Director

Matt Wallen is hitting the rails after four years as chief of staff for Rep. Steven LaTourette, R-Ohio. Wallen will be director of government and public affairs for the Surface Transportation Board, the independent agency that oversees the economics of the railroad industry. No word on a replacement in LaTourette's office. (Congress Daily AM)

Kennedy Joins the Ranks of Wine and Spirits Wholesalers

Chris Kennedy has been hired as communications and public affairs manager for The Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America. Kennedy was manager of public relations and communications at the Security Industry Association. According to the organization, Kennedy will work closely with every shop in the association, "focusing heavily on enlivening and streamlining the organization's many communications vehicles."  (CQ People on the Move/ Congress Daily AM)

Leavitt Loses Long-time Communicaitons Director

Suzanne C. DeFrancis has been hired as chief public affairs officer for the American Red Cross, effective Aug. 20. DeFrancis is currently assistant secretary of public affairs for the Department of Health and Human Services. (CQ People on the Move)

"Whip It, Whip it Good"

House Republican Whip Roy Blunt (R-MO) has named Antonia Ferrier as his new Communications Director. Ferrier was previously Vice President of Public Affairs for Manning, Selvage & Lee in Washington, D.C. Ferrier also previosuly worked for Barbour, Griffith and Rogers, the NRSC, as Communications Director for Sen. Olympia Snowe (R-ME), and as a Deputy Press Secretary for Senate Majority Leader Bill First (R-TN). Ferrier replaces Burson Taylor Snyder, who has joined Fred Thompson's team as a spokeswoman. Ferrier joins Press Secretary Amos Snead and speechwriter and communications adviser Chris Tucker. (PF Tipster)

JOB OF THE WEEK: American Gas Association Communications Director

The American Gas Association, a national trade association that advocates the interest of its natural gas utility members, is in search of a Director of Communications. Individual will report to the Vice President; serve as one of two official AGA spokespeople; assist in the development and implementation of short- and long-term strategies; develop various communications collateral, including press releases, standby statements, fact sheets, talking points, media advisories and speeches, establish and maintain relationships with news media, constituencies and member company representatives.

The American Gas Association (AGA) offers a competitive salary, exceptional benefits and a location convenient to Union Station Metro. AGA's full-time employees benefit package includes comprehensive medical and dental, both a 401 (k) and pension plan, educational assistance, and a monthly travel subsidy, just to name a few. We even have an on-site gym!

TO APPLY
For immediate consideration, please mail your resume with a cover letter and salary requirements to: Human Resources American Gas Association 400 North Capitol Street, NW Washington, DC 20001. Or you may email your resume with cover letter and salary requirements to [email protected]

Requirements Need a Bachelor's degree; 7-10 years' experience directly related to the duties and responsibilities; outstanding oral, written and editing skills; the ability to work under pressure with tight deadlines/multiple priorities and excellent interpersonal skills.

Salazar's New Press Secretary

Stephanie Valencia, who coordinated outreach in the Hispanic community on behalf of House Democratic Caucus Vice Chairman John Larson (D-CT), has joined the office of Sen. Ken Salazar (D-CO), as Press Secretary. Originally from Santa Fe, NM, Valencia worked on Hispanic outreach for the Senate Democratic Steering and Outreach Committee and for the 2004 Kerry-Edwards presidential campaign and was Press Secretary for Rep. Linda Sanchez (D-CA). (Congress Daily AM's People column)

House Administration Committee's New Hire

Kyle Anderson has been hired as a communications officer for the House Administration Committee. Anderson was a strategic communications consultant for B&C Associates in North Carolina. (CQ People on the Move)