Potomac Flacks

Schatz Joins Nat'l Retail Federation

Stephen Schatz has joined National Retail Federation as senior director of media relations. Schatz served on Capitol Hill, in The White House and, most recently, as media relations director at the National Association of Chain Drug Stores.

Working under new Senior Vice President Tita Freeman, Schatz will be responsible for cultivating and growing NRF’s relationships with lobbying, business and economic reporters, ensuring the retail industry’s voice is represented in Washigton. 

NRF recently launced a $10 million dollar campaign to promote its views on key policy issues. (PF Tipster)

Alex Conant goes Rubio

Alex Conant, who served as spokesman for Tim Pawlenty's presidential campaign, will become Sen. Marco Rubio's press secretary starting Oct. 3. Before Pawlenty, Conant worked for Sen. John Thune and in the George W. Bush White House Office of Media Affairs.

‘He is a skilled and experienced communicator who will be a great asset to me in the Senate as we work to create jobs, tackle the debt and keep America safe,’ Rubio said.”

Read more about Rubio's great hire here. (Politico's Mike Allen)

JOB OF THE WEEK: Chlopak, Leonard, Schechter & Associates, Associate

Chlopak, Leonard, Schechter & Associates (CLS) is looking to hire an energetic, hardworking individual for an opening at the entry-level Associate position. Candidates should ideally have internship experience in journalism, public relations, public affairs or politics. 

The right candidate will have a passion for communications and public affairs, the ability to juggle a range of tasks and work well under pressure. The Associate position allows for the opportunity to write, pitch stories to the media, organize press events, assist with presentation development, and media monitor for relevant client news.  Along with account work, the Associate will also be expected to provide administrative support.

Chlopak, Leonard, Schechter & Associates is a highly regarded mid-sized communications/public relations firm that focuses on public affairs, corporate, international, and crisis communications. CLS has a roster of clients that includes Fortune 100 companies, leading trade associations, non-profits and international organizations. CLS offers a competitive salary, and health and retirement benefits.

TO APPLY: Please email your resume and cover letter to [email protected] and indicate you are applying for the “Associate” position in the subject line.  (PF tipster)

DOJ Flack Matthew Miller Joins Vianovo in DC

First reported by Politico’s Mike Allen in the “Playbook”, Vianovo, a leading stategy consultancy at the intersection of business, policy and politics announced that Matthew Miller has joined the firm as a partner in the Washington office.

According to Allen, Miller joined the U.S. Department of Justice “after shepherding Attorney General Eric Holder’s nomination” and became Director of the Office of Public Affairs.

At DOJ, according to Vianovo’s release, “Miller helped lead the Obama administration’s media response to three major terrorist attacks, as well as coordinate communications for the Department’s reaction to the financial crisis, major white collar and criminal investigations, and antitrust and civil matters.”

Previously Miller served as Communications Director for the House Democratic Caucus and the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC) under then-Chairman Chuck Schumer (D-NY).  Miller is also a veteran of the 2004 Kerry-Edwards campaign.

Miller is a graduate of the University of Texas.  (Politico’s “Playbook”)

RNC Names Davis Communications Director for 2012 Republican National Convention in Tampa

First reported in the Washington Post’s “The Fix” column, James Davis, a well-travelled and well regarded Republican communicator, has been named Communications Director for the 2012 Republican National Convention in Tampa.  Davis starts in Tampa Oct. 10.

Davis had been serving at corporate and crisis PR firm Brunswick Group, and at Gibraltar Associates before that.

He is a convention veteran, serving as Associate Director of Communications at the 2008 Convention in St. Paul, MN.

Earlier in his career Davis worked as Deputy Director of Media Affairs at the Republican National Committee.  He also served as a researcher at the Department of Defense under Secretary Don Rumsfeld.

Davis is a native of Vidalia, GA.  (Washington Post’s “The Fix”)

Obama White House Deputy Communications Director Jen Psaki Departs for GSG

First reported by Politico’s Mike Allen, White House Deputy Communications Director Jen Psaki is departing to become Senior Vice President / Managing Director at the well-known Democratic polling firm Global Strategy Group.  Her first day is Oct. 17 and her last day at the White House was Sept. 22. 

Psaki is one of the longest serving Obama communications aides, investing the last four years on both the campaign and in the White House.

According to Politico’s Allen, “Psaki, 32, started with the Obama campaign as Deputy Press Secretary in February 2007, then became Traveling Press Secretary in the Fall. She flew to 47 states (all but Oklahoma, Arkansas and Alabama) and five countries with the then-Senator.

Psaki, a native of Greenwich, CT and a 2000 graduate of the College of William and Mary, according to the Washington Post’s Chris Cillizza, previously served at the “Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC), as well as on the re-election bids of Gov. Tom Vilsack (D-IA) and Sen. Tom Harkin (D-IA).

Here’s a July 2011 profile of Psaki in her hometown Greenwich magazine.

Allen reports that Psaki hopes to be an Obama surrogate in the 2012 cycle.  (Politico & the Washington Post)

Bachmann Hires Veteran Iowa Operative Woolson to Lead Communications for Iowa Caucus

Republican presidential candidate Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN) recently announced that her team has retained Iowa campaign veteran Eric Woolson to lead its communications efforts in the first-in-the-nation caucus state.

Woolson managed Gov. Mike Huckabee's (R-AR) campaign in Iowa in 2008, and most recently, he was a senior adviser to the presidential campaign of former Gov. Tim Pawlenty (R-MN). With more than 20 years of experience as a print journalist in Iowa, Woolson went on to serve as Gov. Terry Branstad's (R-IA) Communications Director and Press Secretary.

Prior to his service in the governor's office, Woolson was the Iowa Communications Director for George W. Bush's 2000 presidential campaign, and served on the communications teams of the previous three Republican National Conventions. In 2010, he provided counsel to Iowa gubernatorial candidate Bob Vander Plaats and congressional candidate Mariannette Miller-Meeks in addition to serving as the spokesman for Sen. Charles Grassley's (R-IA) re-election campaign.  (PF tipster)

JOB OF THE WEEK: Rep. Rick Crawford (R-AR), Communications Director

Congressman Rick Crawford (R-AK) is seeking an experienced Communications Director.  Duties include writing speeches, press releases, op eds, pitching stories to local media and managing the social media.  This individual will work with senior staff to develop and implement a district press strategy.  Strong writing, communication, and organizational skills are required.

TO APPLY: Please email resume and cover letter to [email protected].  Please no calls or drop-ins. (RCA Job List)

Former Gingrey, Perino Aide Sammon to House Deputy Whip Roskam Office

First reported in Politico’s “Huddle”, Brooke Sammon will start next Monday, September 26, as the Press Secretary for a rising star in the Republican Party, Chief Deputy Whip Peter Roskam (R-IL).  She joins Team Roskam from the Office of Rep. Phil Gingrey (R-GA), where she also served as Press Secretary.

Prior to her experience on Capitol Hill, she worked on the communications team during the campaign of Congressman Andy Harris (R-MD) in 2010 in her home state of Maryland, and before that worked for former White House Press Secretary Dana Perino.

Brooke graduated with a B.A. in political science from Miami University of Ohio.  (Politico’s “Huddle” & PF tipster)

EXCLUSIVE: Giertz Rejoins Rep. Braley as Communications Director

Jeff Giertz will rejoin the office of U.S. Rep. Bruce Braley (D-IA) to serve as Communications Director, effective Monday, September 19^th.

Giertz, a native of Moline, Illinois, first worked for Rep. Braley during his successful 2006 Congressional campaign.  Giertz then served as Rep. Braley’s Communications Director during his first two terms in Congress from 2007 until October 2009.

After leaving Rep. Braley’s office, Giertz worked as Communications Director for Rep. Charlie Melancon’s (D-LA) unsuccessful 2010 bid for U.S. Senate in Louisiana.

Since January, Giertz has worked as Communications Director for the North Carolina state Senate Democratic Caucus in Raleigh, NC.

Giertz is a 2005 graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. (PF tipster)