Potomac Flacks

PF EXCLUSIVE: After Five Years on Capitol Hill, Mask Joins Global Vision Communications

Capitol Hill veteran communications director, Lindsey Mask, has moved to the DC-based strategic public relations firm, Global Vision Communications, which focuses on assisting business leaders in associations and corporations.

Mask's background includes several years as the communications lead for U.S. Rep. Buck McKeon (R-CA) and Trent Franks (AZ-02), Director of Outreach & Coalitions for the House Education & Workforce Committee, the network & cable liaison for the 2008 GOP Convention, a speechwriter and aide in Texas state politics, and as a news anchor for an ABC affiliate in Michigan.

Apart from her professional work, Mask is the Founder of Ladies America, which has professional networking organizations for women across the country (Ladies DC, Ladies NYC, Ladies NC and Ladies CT).

She earned a degree in Mass Communication (Broadcast) and Speech Communication at Texas State University (San Marcos) and is a native of Willow Park, TX.  (PF tipster) 

 

Nicolle Gallo Joins Rep. Lou Barletta's Press Office

Nicolle Gallo, former Communications Coordinator for Christie for Governor, has been hired as Rep. Lou Barletta's (R-PA) new Press Assistant and is moving from the Garden State to The Hill.

 

In addition to her work on Chris Christie's gubernatorial campaign, she has served as Deputy Communications Director for the New Jersey Republican State Committee and as head of communications for the New Jersey's Republican Assembly Conference Leader.  She is a graduate of Rutgers University.

Nicolle will be working with Rep. Barletta's Communication Director Shawn Kelly. (PF Tipster)

Veteran Flack Nelligan Named Press Secretary for Sen. Hutchison

Jeff Nelligan recently began a new job: Press Secretary for the U.S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX).  Previously, he was Senior Director for Strategic Communications at Johns Hopkins Medicine, where he lead the organization’s internal and external communication strategy and positioning.

Nelligan was formerly the Director of Media Affairs for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), where he helped execute six national health care campaigns. He has worked more than a decade in the Legislative Branch, serving as Press Secretary to Congressman Bill Thomas (R-CA); Managing Director of Public Affairs for the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO); and, Director of Communications for the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee under Chairman Bud Shuster (R-PA).

In addition to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Nelligan has worked in two other Cabinet agencies – as a Speechwriter at State and Press Secretary for the Inspector General at the U.S. Department of Transportation.

Nelligan is of Maori Indian ancestry, is a graduate of Williams College and Georgetown Law, spent 14 years in the Army Reserve/Guard, and is involved in local lacrosse leagues.

Nelligan joins a large fraternity of communicators who have served KBH, a former Press Secretary to RNC Co-Chairwoman Anne Armstrong, on Capitol Hill, including: Kevin Schweers, Jenifer Sarver, Geoff Embler, Rich Galen, Jamie Loftus, Matt Mackowiak, Courtney Sanders, Dave Beckwith, Jeff Sadosky, Chris Paulitz and many more. (PF tipster)

JOB OF THE WEEK: American Medical Association, Public Relations Specialist

The American Medical Association (AMA), the nation's largest professional association of physicians, is hiring a Public Information Officer in Media Relations in the Washington, DC office. In this role, the successful candidate will promote the AMA, its mission, programs, and initiatives through comprehensive, strategic media outreach.  AMA is seeking a strong writer, editor, media relations specialist with agency, Hill experience, and/or experience using social media for PR a plus.

Specific responsibilities will include serving as a primary liaison between the AMA, its spokespeople and the media; providing strategic communications counsel and message development for key AMA issues, particularly for assigned beats; coordinating and conducting AMA media events, including press conferences and media briefings; writing news releases, statements, op-eds, blog posts, letters to the editors; planning and executing media tours, editorial board visits; and tracking and showcasing media coverage on issues affecting the AMA.

Job Requirements

*       A Bachelor's degree in journalism, communications, public relations or related discipline is required.
*       A minimum of five years’ experience in public/media relations; medical or professional organization experience desirable.
*       Minimum of one year experience in health policy communications in Washington, DC.

*       Strong working knowledge of print, broadcast and electronic media.

*       Excellent writing, editing and verbal communication skills.
*       Polished interpersonal skills to provide communications counsel to AMA leaders and senior-level staff.
*       Ability to persuade and negotiate in high visibility environment.
*       Proven ability to work well under deadline pressure, while managing multiple programs and responsibilities.
*       Skilled at performing in a high visibility team environment as well as being a strong individual contributor.
*       Occasional travel is required.

TO APPLY: Email [email protected] or apply at http://www.ama-assn.jobs with Job ID #8279050.  Position title:  Senior Public Information Officer - 3009DH.  (PF tipster)

Story Partners Adds New Talent to Washington DC Office

Story Partners, one of Washington’s fastest growing public affairs firms, is adding depth to their core offerings with the addition of three new team members.  Andrew Fimka, Heather Coddington, and Tamara Williams joined as Director, Associate, and Executive Assistant respectively. The trio joins the current Story Partners’ team, working in several practice areas, including the rapidly expanding technology policy, energy, and financial services arenas.

Most recently, Fimka served as Director of Political and Legislative Advocacy for the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB).  In that role he led NFIB’s issue advocacy and political communications campaigns that successfully targeted grassroots activists, as well as policy stakeholders.  Prior to joining NFIB, Fimka worked in a variety of campaign roles for Congressional and presidential candidates.

Heather Coddington brings a background in local and state government, corporate, and non-profit communications. With her background in website design and development, Coddington understands how digital communications play a vital role in advocacy efforts. Heather’s strength lies in the ability to build and execute online advocacy campaigns that are vital in today’s digital environment from concept to “click through.”

“Heather’s technology background and creative savvy are excellent additions to our expanding advocacy practice that specializes in advertising, online engagement and digital strategies,” said Amos Snead, Principal of Story Partners.

Williams’ experience in the technology policy arena comes from her work with the Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) and has enabled her to hit the ground running with existing technology clients. A native of Georgia, Tamara attended Howard University in Washington, D.C.

Gloria Dittus summed up the new additions as a tremendous gain for Story Partners’ growing client list, “We are excited to be able to choose the best and the brightest in their fields to join our team and continue to grow Story Partners at a rapid rate while providing our clients with unsurpassed service and results.  Expanding our expertise in digital public affairs combined with our strengths in traditional media create a winning combination for every client in today’s world.”

Senior Pelosi Staffer to Lead Communications at Georgetown University

Stacy Kerr will join Georgetown University on August 29 as assistant vice president for communications.

Kerr joins Georgetown from Capitol Hill, where she has served in numerous communications roles for more than a decade. Since 2003 Kerr has worked as a senior aide for Speaker of the House and now House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi. As a member of Leader Pelosi’s senior team, she has been deeply involved in communications and protocol. Her experience includes planning and executing strategic communications to internal and external constituencies, helping to manage proactive media plans and managing rapid response in numerous complex situations. Kerr also served as press secretary for U.S. Rep. Marty Meehan and the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.

As assistant vice president for communications, Kerr will serve as Georgetown’s primary spokesperson for print, broadcast and digital media; develop proactive strategies for promoting the achievements, identity and character of the university and its faculty, programs and students; and will lead the office of communications.

“I am honored to be joining the exciting community of world class educators and staff at Georgetown University, and to use my background to further its mission of preparing the next generation of global citizens to lead and make a difference in the world,” says Kerr.

“Stacy brings excellent communication skills, sound judgment and considerable experience with complex, multi-audience issues,” says Georgetown University President John J. DeGioia. “I welcome her readiness to learn quickly about Georgetown and work with all members of our diverse community.”

Kerr succeeds Julie Green Bataille, who departed Georgetown in April to become director of the office of communications at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Top DHS Flack Smith Joins Porter Novelli

Sean Smith, the outgoing Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has joined international PR firm Porter Novelli as Senior Vice President on the firm’s global crisis communications team.

While at DHS, Smith was responsible for developing and implementing the department’s strategic communications initiatives and major Department activities. Smith managed a 300-person public affairs staff at a diverse array of agencies under DHS including the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the U.S. Coast Guard, the U.S. Secret Service, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Smith will report to Kiki McLean, the agency’s global head of public affairs, and will divide his time between Porter Novelli’s Washington, D.C. and New York offices, providing service to Porter Novelli’s global network.

While at DHS, Smith helped lead the Obama administration’s public response to the H1N1 outbreak, border violence in Mexico, attempted terrorist attacks, the Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill and dozens of other breaking news incidents. Additionally, he initiated the administration's effort to update the formal system of communicating to the American people in times of a national incident, specifically the elimination of outdated color coded threat warnings and the implementation of a new system based on real-time alerts to communicate specific, actionable information. 

Prior to joining DHS, Smith served as a spokesman for then Sen. Barack Obama’s (D-IL) 2008 presidential campaign and spent the general election as the Communications Director for Pennsylvania. Over the past 15 years, he has served as Communications Director and Campaign Manager for other statewide campaigns and as a consultant to dozens of clients. His experience includes working with major multinational corporations in the banking, insurance, chemical and telecommunications sectors, national and international non-profits, trade associates, labor unions and issues campaigns.

Smith earned his M.A. in public administration from Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government, and his B.S. in political science from the University of Oregon. He has lectured at the United States Military Academy at West Point and Johns Hopkins University, and currently teaches at Yale University.  (PF tipster)