May 03, 2018

Former Obama White House Press Secretary Earnest Joins United Airlines as Chief Communications Officer

Josh EarnestUnited Airlines today announced Josh Earnest has been named Senior Vice President and Chief Communications Officer. Earnest brings to the company more than two decades of strategic communications expertise from the highest levels of politics and government, including as White House Press Secretary. At United, he will be responsible for developing the company's global communications strategy, leading a world-class team to execute it, working closely with the company's leadership to shape the airline's public image and serving as the company's chief spokesman.

Most recently, Earnest has been a political analyst for NBC News and MSNBC, making appearances on the network's leading news programs including the Today Show, Meet the Press and NBC Nightly News. Prior to that, Earnest served for eight years in the Obama White House, first as deputy press secretary before being promoted to White House Press Secretary in 2014. In 2015, Earnest was voted the "best White House press secretary I've worked with" by White House correspondents surveyed by Politico.

In addition to his work in front of the cameras, Earnest played a leading role behind the scenes to develop and implement an innovative communications strategy that was paired with a fully-integrated digital media presence to drive the Administration's agenda.

His two-decade career in politics has taken him from Capitol Hill to some of the largest states and most competitive races in the country, including four presidential campaigns, statewide races in Texas and Florida and Mike Bloomberg's first campaign for Mayor of New York.

Earnest received his degree in political science and policy studies from Rice University. He will move to Chicago this summer with his wife, Natalie and their two children. Earnest's first day at United will be Monday, May 21. (United Airlines)

About the Authors

  • FOLLOW US: @potomacflacks
  • Matt Mackowiak - Site Manager
    Matt Mackowiak is a Washington, D.C. and Austin,TX-based Republican strategist and communications consultant and President of Potomac Strategy Group, LLC. In his career he has managed a winning Congressional campaign and worked in the U.S. Senate, at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, at a leading international PR firm, on a presidential campaign in Iowa and in White House presidential advance. Follow him on Twitter - @MattMackowiak

    Laura Gross - Contributor
    Laura Gross is currently president of Scott Circle Communications. She has served as deputy director of communications at the DNC, was Gov. Howard Dean's Communications Director and she worked in the press office at USAID during the Clinton administration. Her experience also includes time in the PR department of National Public Radio and she was part of Vice President Gore's advance team when he was in The White House.
    Follow her on Twitter: @ScottCircle

    Blain K. Rethmeier - Contributor
    Blain K. Rethmeier is currently the Senior Vice President for Public Affairs for the American Insurance Association (AIA). Rethmeier joined AIA from the White House where he served as Special Assistant to the President for Communications and directed communications for the National Economic Council and Homeland Security Council. Prior to joining the White House, Rethmeier served as Press Secretary for the Senate Judiciary Committee.
    Follow him on Twitter: @BlainR

    This is a personal group blog whose contents in no way reflect the views of any author's employer.

    Got a tip? Email Matt, Blain or Laura (anonymity guaranteed)

    Potomac Flacks Founder and Author Emeritus: Adam Kovacevich
Powered by TypePad