Potomac Flacks

Gindlesperger Joins American Beverage Association

Chris Gindlesperger has joined the American Beverage Association as Communications Director.  Previously, this well-respected flack served as the Communications Director at the Senate Judiciary Committee under then-Ranking Member Sen. Arlen Specter.  Gindy, as he's known to friends and reporters, has also worked communications at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and in the House of Representatives.  (PF Tipster)

Rep. Cummings’ Press Secretary Leaves for House Armed Services Committee, Replaced by Kincaid

Jennifer Kohl has joined the House Armed Services Committee staff as Press Secretary. Kohl was Press Secretary to U.S. Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-MD). Before that, Kohl was an Account Representative at the political communications firm MSHC Partners.  Paul Kincaid has joined the staff of Rep. Cummings as Press Secretary.  Kincaid was Press Secretary for the Nevada State Democratic Party. He also handled advance for the 2008 primary campaign of Rep. Jared Polis (D-CO) and for Gov. Bill Richardson (D-NM) in Iowa during the 2008 presidential primaries. (CQ’s “People on the Move” column)

 

Gov. Corzine Switches Communications Directors in Governor’s Office

New Jersey Gov. Jon Corzine's third Communications Director, Deborah Howlett, has been transferred to a position in the Governor's policy office.  Steve Sigmund, chief of public and governmental affairs at the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, has taken over on an interim basis.

 

Howlett, a former reporter for The Star-Ledger of Newark, was hired for the $137,500-a-year job last year.  She succeeded Anthony Coley and Ivette Mendez.

Susan Markham Joins The Campaign Workshop

Susan Markham has joined The Campaign Workshop as a Senior Strategist.  Most recently, Susan worked as Deputy Political Director at EMILY's List, where she managed the Political Opportunity Program as well as the Training Department and Campaign Corps.  Susan started her political career 15 years ago with Participation 2000, and since then has served as Finance Director for the Ohio Democratic Party, Executive Director of Participation 2000, Campaign Manager for four statewide campaigns and Director of Senate Services at the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee.   

The Campaign Workshop was started in May of this year by Joe Fuld, a former partner at MSHC Partners.  Joe has spent over 20 years managing and consulting on campaigns for candidates, ballot measures and advocacy groups, including over six years at MSHC Partners.  The Campaign Workshop produces direct mail, Internet and print advertising for political and advocacy clients. We also do training and strategic consulting work.  We've done work on a variety of projects, including work for the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, the California Nurses Association, DC Vote and many others. (PF Tipster)

JOB OF THE WEEK: Vice President, Communications -- American Enterprise Institute (deadline is Friday 9/11/09)

The American Enterprise Institute (AEI) is seeking to fill a newly-created position, Vice President, Communications.  The principal objective of this position is to enhance AEI’s mission by promoting the dissemination of AEI ideas and learning among public policy makers, journalists, academics, and the business community.  The person selected for this position will be a part of AEI’s executive team, with the lead responsibility for developing an institutional communications strategy and supervising a multidisciplinary set of publicity and digital media activities.

 

The position requires excellent writing, interpersonal, leadership, and organizational skills.  The ideal candidate will have significant experience with public policy, marketing, and a variety of communications tools.

 

The specific tasks to be performed by the person in this position include, but are not limited to:

 

• Work with AEI scholars, executives, and managers, and relevant support staff to devise marketing plans for AEI scholars’ products.
• Develop opportunities at the intersection of public policy and AEI scholarship where creative and timely efforts could make a difference in assimilation of a product.
• Where appropriate, deploy low-cost, high-value communications mechanisms to reach broader audiences.
• Evaluate and implement new communications and publicity tools to supplement or replace more traditional approaches.
• Identify and provide training to address gaps in scholar/fellow communication skills.
• Develop metrics to measure success in AEI’s communications efforts.
• Ensure internal coordination of communications activities and message and shape a master Institute-wide communications schedule.
• Enhance training for all relevant staff to support communications functions.
• Identify and manage external promotional resources with specific expertise as appropriate.
• Provide communications products to support AEI fundraising efforts. 

Qualified applicants should submit their resume and a brief statement of interest with their on-line application.  Applications for this position will be accepted through Friday, September 11, 2009.  To apply, please visit: http://jobs.aei.org/about/jobapp2.asp

RAINN Spokesperson and Actress Christina Ricci to Headline Benefit

RAINN’s national spokesperson, actress Christina Ricci, is headed to D.C. on September 9th to headline a special benefit for RAINN and help launch a new public awareness campaign. Several leading members of Congress will also be in attendance and this bi-partisan event.

Tracy Sefl, SVP at Navigators Global and co-chair of the event alongside UN Foundation's Katherine Miller, says, “I'm proud to be a longtime supporter of RAINN in their work to combat violence and offer critical help to its victims. Our event in the nation's capital will bring together supporters from across the political spectrum, as sexual violence knows no borders. We all share a commitment to help RAINN continue and to honor the champions who do its critical work.”

While in D.C., Ricci will join Scott Berkowitz, RAINN’s president, and Evelyn Fortier, RAINN’s vice president for public policy, for a day of meetings with members of Congress. They will be lobbying Congress to fully fund the Debbie Smith Act, which expands the use of DNA in rape investigations, and for measures to improve services for victims of sexual violence.

To purchase tickets (yep! it's tax-deductible) or become a member of the event host committee, click here.

USEC Appoints Ciccone Senior Vice President

USEC Inc. announced today that Christine Ciccone has been appointed senior vice president of external relations.  USEC is a global energy company and a leading supplier of enriched uranium fuel for commercial nuclear power plants. Ciccone will lead the Company’s public policy efforts with the U.S. government, media and other external stakeholders as well as develop and implement strategic communication plans companywide. She will report to John K. Welch, president and chief executive officer.

Most recently, Ciccone was vice president of government relations for Honeywell International, Inc.  She has also worked for Senator Warren Rudman, the Senate Appropriations Committee, and was a special assistant to the President for legislative affairs at the White House.  (PF Tipster)

Sen. Johanns Names Hunt Press Secretary; Will be Based in Lincoln

U.S. Senator Mike Johanns (R-NE) today announced the selection of Chris Hunt as his Press Secretary.  Hunt replaces Sarah Pompei, who returned to her home state of California.

 

Hunt will be based in Sen. Johanns’ Lincoln office.  Hunt joins Ann Marie Hauser, who was named Director of Communications in July.  He previously served as Communications Manager for Windstream Communications, handling internal and external communications in Nebraska and other western states.   Prior to that, Hunt was a News Anchor and Reporter for KOLN-TV in Lincoln.  Hunt has a Bachelor’s of Science in Communications.  He is married with a daughter. (PF tipster)