Potomac Flacks

Burgos joins OnMessage

First reported by Roll Call’s “Shop Talk,” Alexandria, VA-based Republican consulting firm has hired Joanna Burgos, a “top House Republican campaign operative.”

Last cycle Burgos managed the National Republican Campaign Committee’s (NRCC) independent expenditure.

She was previously Deputy Communications Director for the NRCC, Press Secretary for the 2008 Republican National Convention in St. Paul, MN, Communications Director for the Nevada Republican Party and senior account executive at Racepoint Group.  She also worked on the 2008 Mitt Romney presidential campaign and as Assistant Press Secretary at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

She’s a graduate of the University of Florida.  (Roll Call’s “Shop Talk”)

Kinzinger aide Hougesen named NRSC Press Secretary

First reported in Roll Call’s “Shop Talk,” The National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) announced Brook Hougesen is the committee’s new Press Secretary.

Hougesen comes from the office of Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-IL), where she served as Communications Director.

She spent the 2012 cycle at the Congressional Leadership Fund super PAC and its sister organization, American Action Network.  She previously worked on the campaigns and congressional offices of Rep. Peter Roskam (R-IL) and Rep. Geoff Davis (R-KY).

She’s a 2009 graduate of Illinois State University.  (Roll Call’s “Shop Talk”)

JOB OF THE WEEK: U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Communications Director

U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) is seeking a Communications Director for his Washington, D.C. office.  A strong background in strategic communications planning, media relations and writing is required.  Prior Congressional staff experience, familiarity with Connecticut and relevant policy issues are a plus.  Responsibilities include: managing media team; acting as spokesperson when required; and drafting speeches, statements, press releases and other material.

TO APPLY: Please submit cover letter, resume and three writing samples to [email protected] indicating job referral number (#221978) in the subject line.  (Senate Employment Bulletin)

Williams Named Media Relations Manager for APCO Worldwide

APCO Worldwide has named Adam Williams as its new global Media Relations Manager, where he will be responsible for APCO’s message, media strategy and thought leadership.

Previously, Williams served as the global marketing and PR lead for the Energy practice at the Boston Consulting Group (BCG) after having led PR and marketing efforts for Thomson Reuters' Commodities and Energy group and Point Carbon in the Americas.

Born and raised in Indianapolis, Williams is a graduate of NYU and lives in Washington, DC.  (PF tipster)

Hoplin joins Pawlenty at FSR

First reported by Politico’s Influence, Eric Hoplin began as the new VP of communications and organizational strategy at the Financial Services Roundtable, where he will be advising CEO and President Tim Pawlenty on how to best "define, implement and communicate" the association's goals.

Hoplin was most recently at Booz Allen Hamilton, and previously was Deputy Chairman of the Republican Party of Minnesota and President of the College Republican National Committee.

He earned an undergraduate degree from St. Olaf College and Master's degrees from Augsburg College and Columbia University.  (Politico’s “Influence”)

Booker Hires Griffis to run comms on expected U.S. Senate campaign

First reported by the New Jersey Star-Ledger, Newark, NJ mayor and likely U.S. Senate candidate Cory Booker (D-Newark) has hired Kevin Griffis to run communications for his expected U.S. Senate campaign in 2014.

Griffis is currently a principal at The Podesta Group.  He was most recently Director of Public Affairs for the U.S. Department of Commerce, where he served for three years.  Griffis also served as Communications Director for the 2008 Obama campaign in several early primary states.

Earlier in his career Griffis served as Communications Director for the Democratic Party of Virginia and the state’s Coordinated Campaign during Tim Kaine’s successful bid for Governor in 2005.  He then joined Obama for America as an early state communication director, serving in South Carolina.  After running communications in Virginia in the general election, he went on to serve as a spokesperson for President-elect Obama’s inaugural committee.

Griffis began his career as a journalist in Maryland and Atlanta.

He is a graduate of Beloit College. (New Jersey Star-Ledger)

Hill Vet Billmoria to Lead Comms for House T&I

U.S. House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Chairman Bill Shuster (R-PA) today announced the appointment of Jim Billimoria as Communications Director, where he will lead the Committee's communications and public relations efforts in the 113th Congress.

Most recently on Capitol Hill Billimoria served as Communications Director for the House Ways and Means Committee under Chairman Dave Camp (R-MI) and Ranking Member Jim McCrery (R-LA).

Prior to joining the Ways and Committee he served in the press offices of Congressman Tom Price (R-GA) and House Republican Conference Chairwoman Deborah Pryce (R-OH). 

Billimoria is a native of Palatine, IL.  He is a graduate of the University of Illinois (Urbana-Champagne) and hold’s a Master’s Degree from Johns Hopkins University. (PF tipster)

Deere Named Press Secretary for Sen. Crapo

Judd Deere, who joined Sen. Mike Crapo (R-ID) as New Media Director in May 2012, has been promoted to Press Secretary.

Deere previously worked for Sen. John Boozman (R-AR) and for the Republican Party of Arkansas in the 2010 election cycle. 

He is a 2010 graduate of Lyon College.  (PF tipster)

JOB OF THE WEEK: U.S. Senator, Communications Director (Democrat)

Democratic U.S. Senator seeks a Communications Director.

Skills Desired:

• Strong strategic planning, organizational, communication and writing skills required.  Experience and familiarity with home state, Congress, and public policy issues important.
• Ability to staff a public figure, good judgment, maturity and creativity a must 

Responsibilities include:

• Advocating a legislative agenda in state and national media
• Writing/editing speeches, op-eds, news releases, floor statements, quotes, talking points and other material clearly, accurately and quickly
• Oversight and management of communications staff 

TO APPLY: Please submit cover letter, resume and three writing samples to [email protected] indicating job referral number 221898 in the subject line.  (Senate Employment Bulletin)

Former Hastert aide named Comms Dir for Rep. Terry

U.S. Rep. Lee Terry (R-NE) has named Larry Farnsworth as Communications Director.

Farnsworth was most recently president of Gavel Public Affairs. 

His new job is a return to Capitol Hill, where he previously served as Deputy Press Secretary and Speechwriter for former Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert (R-IL).

Farnsworth will serve as Rep. Terry’s chief spokesman, as well as managing the communications for Terry’s chairmanship of the Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing and Trade of the House Energy and Commerce Committee.

Farnsworth is a graduate of California State University, Fresno. He lives in Springfield, VA with his wife Karla, where they are raising their three children.  (PF tipster)