Potomac Flacks

Anita Dunn Heads to White House

According to Chris Cilizza at "The Fix," Anita Dunn will be the interim communications director at The White House. Dunn was a well-known fixture on the Obama campaign, serving as a media consultant and senior advisor.  

Dunn will replace Ellen Moran, who is the new chief of staff to Commerce Secretary Gary Locke. (Washington Post's The Fix). 

JOB OF THE WEEK: Director of Communications, William J. Clinton Foundation

President Clinton’s Press Office at the Clinton Foundation is seeking an experienced Director of Communications, based in its Harlem, NY office.

The Director of Communications will perform the following duties under the direction of the Chief of Staff to the President:

-          Manage day-to-day press operation

-          Serve as a chief spokesperson for the Foundation and a primary point of contact for members of the media

-          Negotiate, manage, execute and staff major public announcements and media appearances for President Clinton

-          Write and edit speeches, press materials, talking points and other key public documents

-          Oversee communications activities for all of the foundation’s initiatives and global activities, and provide guidance and oversight to communications teams at each initiative

-          Work with integrated marketing and online teams to further communications goals across the Foundation’s initiatives

-          Manage and oversee the foundation’s communications department

 

Qualifications: The role of Director of Communications will be filled by a seasoned communications professional who is exceptionally articulate and persuasive in writing and speech.  S/he must have at least five years of communications experience and a demonstrated ability to develop powerful messages, meet tight deadlines and juggle multiple and complicated tasks.  Excellent management and organizational skills are a must.

 

The candidate will have:

-          Minimum of 5 years experience in communications fields including public relations, marketing or related areas, with demonstrated stability and sustained commitment in previous position(s)

-          Knowledge of the media and ability to work well with journalists.

-          High-level on-the-record experience

-          B.A. degree, with additional educational course work in communications, public policy, journalism, law or related fields.

-          Exceptional writing and editing skills with a portfolio demonstrating published works and high-level, creative, thoughtful and polished printed communications.

-          Portfolio of earned media demonstrating the ability to successfully pitch stories to journalists and bring them to fruition

-          Willingness and ability to work long hours and weekends

-          Proven capacity to successfully multi-task in a fast-paced or stressful environment, with demonstrated personal traits of sense of humor, maturity and grace under pressure

 

To Apply: Please go to http://careers-clintonfoundation.icims.com to send us your cover letter and resume.  (PF tipster)

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)

Kazmier Leaves Burson; Goes to Gibraltar

Danielle Kazmier has joined Gibraltar Associates as a senior vice president. She will be providing client counsel and strategic issues management. For the past 8 years, she has worked in both the public affairs practices at Burson-Marsteller's New York, London, and DC offices. (PF Tipster)

Gingrich Aide Princella Smith Leaving to be Rep. Cao’s Communications Director

Effective May 13, Princella Smith will leave her job as National Spokesperson for American Solutions, founded by former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich (R-GA), to become Communications Director for U.S. Rep. Anh “Joseph” Cao (R-LA).  Cao is the first Vietnamese-American elected to Congress and represents the 2nd district of Louisiana, primarily New Orleans. He defeated 9-term incumbent, Bill Jefferson in 2008 and has been a seminarian, physicist, and attorney.  (PF tipster)

AGA Names former DOT, Pombo Aide Schrader Marcell as Director of Communications

The American Gas Association (AGA) today appointed communications professional Kristin Schrader Marcell as the Director of Communications.  As part of the communications and marketing division, Schrader Marcell will plan and implement communications strategies to promote natural gas and its applications to stakeholders, including media, industry leaders, Members of Congress and consumers.  Schrader Marcell joins AGA from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), where she served as the official spokesperson and directed the agency’s communications program, managing communications strategies for the high-profile cross-border trucking demonstration project, as well as providing FMCSA with crisis communications counsel.  Prior to joining DOT, Schrader Marcell worked on natural resources issues as the Political Director for the Partnership for America and as the Director of External Affairs for the House Committee on Resources under Chairman Richard Pombo (R-CA).  Previously, Schrader Marcell was General Electric’s political action committee manager in its Washington, D.C. corporate office and served as a legislative staffer for former Rep. John Doolittle (R-CA).  (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)

Gerlach to DNC

Alec Gerlach has joined the DNC as a regional press secretary for the Midwest. He was communications director for Rep. Dale E. Kilee (D-Mich.). He took a leave of absence in the fall of 2008 to serve as a press secretary on Barack Obama's presidential campaign in Michigan and North Carolina. Gerlach also served as a staff member for the House Energy and Commerce Committee. 

New Deputy Press Secretary at Transportation

Olivia Alair has joined the Department of Transportation as deputy press secretary. Alair was a regional communications director for Barack Obama's campaign in Ohio. Before that, she served as deputy press secretary to Vice President Biden, during his tenure in the Senate (1973 - 2009). (CQ)