Potomac Flacks

Doug Wilson New GW Fellow

Douglas Wilson, former assistant secretary of defense for public affairs, will join the George Washington University's School of Media and Public Affairs as a distinguished fellow for the 2012-2013 academic year. He will be lecturing and participating in major events for GW students and the general public. 

He served as the Pentagon’s assistant secretary of defense for public affairs from February 2010 until his retirement from government in March 2012.  As the Pentagon’s senior spokesman and communications advisor, Wilson was responsible for the development and implementation of communication strategies on issues including Afghanistan, Iraq, the “Arab Spring,” the DADT repeal, Wikileaks and counterterrorism.  He coordinated Pentagon communications following the death of Osama bin Laden. Wilson served in senior Pentagon communications positions twice previously under President Clinton and has three times been awarded the Distinguished Public Service Medal, the Pentagon’s highest civilian honor. 

Prior to his appointment as assistant secretary, he was the executive vice president of the Howard Gilman Foundation, overseeing the foundation’s domestic and international policy programs at White Oak. Wilson has also served as national political director of the Democratic Leadership Council; director of congressional and intergovernmental affairs for the U.S. Information Agency; foreign policy advisor to U.S. Sen. Gary Hart; and director of the 1996 Clinton-Gore re-election effort in his home state of Arizona. (PF Tipster)

Former DCCC Flack Rudominer Joins EEI

Edison Electric Institute (EEI) President Tom Kuhn announced that veteran communications strategist Ryan Rudominer has been named EEI’s Executive Director of Communications.

Rudominer was most recently at New Partners Consulting, where he provided an array of corporate and issue advocacy clients with strategic messaging, branding and tactical advice.

Additionally, Rudominer served as both a Regional and National Press Secretary respectively at the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee during the 2008 and 2010 cycles, and previously worked for years as a communications director on Capitol Hill for numerous Members of Congress and national and individual political campaigns.

Rudominer is a native of Mequon, WI and a graduate of Emory University.

EEI is the association of U.S. Shareholder-Owned Electric Companies, whose members serve 95 percent of the ultimate customers in the shareholder-owned segment of the industry, and represent approximately 70 percent of the U.S. electric power industry.  (PF tipster)

Heritage’s Cooper Named Communications Director for Majority Leader Cantor

Politico’s “Playbook,” reports that Rory Cooper has been named Communications Director for House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-VA), starting September 10.

Cooper is currently Communications Director at the Heritage Foundation.  He began his career at the Republican Governors Association and the National Republican Campaign Committee.

In 2011 Cooper was named a “Rising Star” by Campaign and Elections Magazine, an honor given to "a select group of operatives age 35 and under who have an established track record of achievement in political consulting or advocacy and the promise to achieve greatness."

Before joining Heritage in 2008 as Director of Strategic Communications, Cooper served for more than seven years in the administration of George W. Bush, completing his service as a senior policy adviser at the U.S. Department of Energy.

Between 2001 and 2004, Cooper was an aide in the Bush White House, first as associate director of policy and plans in the newly formed Office of Homeland Security, then as associate director of intergovernmental affairs for the Homeland Security Council.

In the wake of the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, Cooper was instrumental in formation of the Department of Homeland Security and production of the first National Strategy for Homeland Security. His initial administration post was as deputy White House liaison to Housing and Urban Development Secretary Mel Martinez.

Cooper also served at NASA as the first director of the space agency's newly created Division of Outreach and Intergovernmental Affairs, following an assignment with the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) Commission.

Cooper holds a bachelor's degree in international relations and political science from Tulane University in New Orleans, La. He originally hails from Franklin, Mich., outside Detroit.  (Politico’s “Playbook”)

Hagan Flack Pfeiffer Named Executive Director for Capitol Hill Chamber of Commerce

Capitol Hill’s Chamber of Commerce (CHAMPS) announced that lifelong Capitol Hill resident Jack Pfeiffer has been named Executive Director.

Pfeiffer comes to CHAMPS after serving as the Press Secretary to U.S. Senator Kay Hagan (D-NC).  In that position, Pfeiffer collaborated extensively with businesses and industry to advance the Senator's efforts on the Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee as well as the Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee. Prior to working with Sen.r Hagan, Pfeiffer served in the Executive Office of Washington, DC Mayor Adrian Fenty.

CHAMPS is a non-profit 501(c)(6) organization actively promoting, educating, connecting and advocating on behalf of its business members in the Capitol Hill community.  For the last three years, CHAMPS sponsored the popular Hilly award program, which mobilized over 5,000 community residents to vote in support of neighborhood businesses.  (PF tipster)

JOB OF THE WEEK: Sen. Mark Pryor (D-AR), Press Secretary

U.S. Senator Mark Pryor (D-AR), seeks pro-active Press Secretary with strong writing and media relations skills. Responsibilities include drafting and editing press releases, talking points, op-eds; pitching stories to reporters; speaking on-the-record; coordinating interviews and press events and increasing the senator’s new media presence. This is not an entry-level position. This office is an equal opportunity employer.

TO APPLY: Please submit cover letter, resume and writing samples to [email protected].  (PF tipster)

Top 10 PR Blunders of 2012 (so far)

Bill Miltenberg of PR News lists, in chronological, the top 10 PR blunders of 2012.  Among the low points: Costa Cruises, Komen, Olympics and much more.

For the full list: click here.  (PR News)

JOB OF THE WEEK: U.S. Senate, Republican, Press Secretary

Midwestern Republican U.S. Senator seeks Press Secretary with on-the-record experience, knowledge of social media and emerging mediums; media production including video editing (preferably with Final Cut) is a must.

Candidates should have excellent writing and editing skills, attention to detail and ability to meet deadlines. Senate or other Hill/campaign experience preferred, knowledge of agriculture issues a plus. Duties will include writing, editing and distributing press releases, op-eds and newsletters, maintaining website, assisting with tele-town halls and performing other general communications duties. Must demonstrate ability to communicate through proactive and creative initiatives targeted to a wide variety of audiences and must have experience in reacting to breaking news.

TO APPLY: Cover letter and resume should be sent to [email protected].  (PF tipster)

Flack Jordan Throws out First Pitch at Orioles Game

Darrell “DJ” Jordan, Communications Director for the House Small Business Committee (majority staff), threw out the ceremonial first pitch at the Mariners-Orioles game on August 7 as part of KidsPeace Night, with 150 youth taking part in the OriolesREACH game day experience.

Jordan was chosen by the adoption/foster care charity, KidsPeace, that he works with as a foster parent.

KidsPeace is an organization dedicated to serving the behavioral and mental health needs of children, preadolescents, teens and young adults, offering a comprehensive range of residential treatment programs; accredited educational services; and a variety of foster care and community-based programs to give hope, help and healing to children, families and communities.  (PF tipster)

Longtime Fox News Sunday Producer Finland to Lead CRAFT’s new booking service

Today longtime Fox Newser Alex Finland, most recently a senior producer for Fox News Sunday, announced he would join CRAFT | Media / Digital to launch their booking service for broadcast television, cable and radio network talent.

According to Finland, his new role will “allow me to lead the day-to-day management of CRAFT | Booking, working with CRAFT clients and strategic partners, to book them on news and talk programs that seek political experts and opinion leaders available for on-air network segments.”  He will also “manage the vetting and training of clients who seek to deliver valuable content for media networks and programs.”

Finland is a graduate of the University of Goergia and a native of Savannah, GA.  (PF tipster)

Former Hutchison Flack Nelligan Joins FDA

Per Politico’s “Huddle,” Jeff Nelligan, a frequent Huddle trivia champ and former Press Secretary for Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX), has landed a new gig.

He now heads up external communications for the FDA's Office of Regulatory Affairs.

Nelligan is a 12-year Hill vet, having spent time as spokesman for Reps. Bill Thomas (R-CA), Bud Shuster (R-PA), the former chairman of the House Transportation Committee, and Dave Walker when he headed the Government Accountability Office.

Before joining Sen. Hutchison, he served as Senior Director for Strategic Communications for the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine in Baltimore from 2009-2010 and was Director of Media Affairs at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMMS) from 2006-2009.

He is a native of Santa Monica, CA.  (Politico’s “The Huddle”)