Potomac Flacks

Mullin, Exelon VP of Public Affairs, to Depart This Summer

Jen Mullin, VP of Public Affairs at Exelon, is leaving the energy giant this summer. Jen -- an Uber alum who also previously led the energy & climate practice at the Glover Park Group and served as communications director for Iowa Sen. Tom Harkin -- ran policy advocacy campaigns at Exelon, connecting the value of emissions-free, nuclear power to climate action at the state and federal levels. Jen was recruited to Exelon in 2017 to modernize their public advocacy function and elevate the role of nuclear in the climate debate. In departing Exelon, Jen plans to pursue climate-focused projects and get involved in the 2020 election cycle.
 
Additionally, here's a note that was sent by Exelon Senior VP Judy Rader on Jen's departure: "During her three years with the company, Jen redefined our advocacy function and contributed to policy outcomes that made a significant impact on the business. Applying her experience in politics and consulting, Jen instituted an integrated approach to our advocacy campaigns to more closely align our grassroots coalitions, and digital, external and internal communications activities with the GRAPP team’s work. That collaborative approach led to results, including the nuclear ZEC program in New Jersey, new urgency for legislative action in states impacted by the FERC MOPR and progress toward a carbon adder in NYISO and RGGI implementation in Pennsylvania. Her work to strengthen relationships with influencers and journalists in the climate space contributed to an increased recognition of the value of emissions-free, nuclear power and Exelon’s reputation as a leader on clean energy policies. Jen built a high-performing team of campaign and digital strategists that have consistently delivered results while lowering costs." (PF tipster)

Veteran GOP communicator Heye Joins CRAFT as SVP

CRAFT | Media / Digital has named media veteran and CNN contributor Doug Heye as Senior Vice President of Media.

Heye will advise clients on crisis communications, media relations, and executive positioning, adding to CRAFT’s strategic capabilities. Heye will also lead client communications efforts specific to economic recovery for business and industry sectors.

Heye has led political and public affairs strategies since 1990, served on Capitol Hill for House Majority Leader Eric Cantor, was Communications Director for the Republican National Committee, and served as Press Secretary to the Small Business Administration. Heye was a resident fellow at the Harvard Kennedy School’s Institute of Politics focusing on crisis messaging and management. (Release)

NYT: McEnany Named New White House Press Secretary; Farah Also Joining Comms Team

The New York Times' Maggie Haberman reports, "Stephanie Grisham, the White House press secretary, is rejoining the staff of Melania Trump, the first lady, and Kayleigh McEnany, a campaign spokeswoman will replace her — the latest shake-up in a communications office that has been seen almost constant turnover under President Trump. Ms. McEnany has been a vocal defender of Mr. Trump on television, the main role the president has long believed the press secretary should play, according to current and former advisers. Her hiring is the first major personnel move by the incoming White House chief of staff, former Representative Mark Meadows of South Carolina. It was first reported by CNN. Ms. Grisham, who never held a press briefing in her nine-month tenure as the president’s spokeswoman, will become Mrs. Trump’s chief of staff, replacing Lindsay Reynolds, who resigned, according a statement from the first lady’s office. 

Also joining the White House press staff will be Alyssa Farah, a top spokeswoman at the Defense Department who once worked for Vice President Mike Pence, according to people briefed on the moves. Ms. Farah is close with Mr. Meadows, whose longtime congressional aide, Ben Williamson, will also join the communications team as an adviser. It is unclear whether Ms. McEnany will revive the traditional role of a White House press secretary — answering questions from reporters in a daily briefing. Mr. Meadows wants her to focus on defending the president on television, according to people familiar with the move. Ms. McEnany, 31 and a graduate of Harvard Law School, was a frequent surrogate for the president, touting Mr. Trump’s policies on network television before she formally joined Mr. Trump’s re-election campaign. Mr. Meadows has clashed with Ms. Grisham, a Trump loyalist who was one of the few remaining advisers who worked on the president’s 2016 campaign, targeting her as someone he wanted to replace, according to administration officials." (New York Times)

Politico: Stephanie Grisham out as White House press secretary

Politico's Meredith McGraw reports that, "White House press secretary Stephanie Grisham will leave her position as President Donald Trump's chief spokeswoman, two sources familiar with the move said Tuesday. She is expected to return to the White House's East Wing, where she worked before becoming press secretary, and work for first lady Melania Trump. Grisham, who stepped into the job less than a year ago, did not host a press briefing at any point during her tenure and maintained a considerably lower profile than her predecessors in the job, Sean Spicer and Sarah Huckabee Sanders." (Politico)

Emergent BioSolutions Appoints Nina DeLorenzo as Senior Vice President of Global Public Affairs

Emergent BioSolutions Inc. today announced the appointment of Nina DeLorenzo to the position of senior vice president for global public affairs. DeLorenzo will oversee external relations, corporate communications, advocacy, and corporate social responsibility. She will be responsible for developing and leading the company’s global public affairs strategy and providing strategic communications counsel to the executive management team.

DeLorenzo has 25 years of experience in public affairs, government affairs, and communications in the public and private sectors. She most recently served as chief of staff, external affairs at Sanofi in Paris, France. Her prior experience includes government affairs, communications, and public policy roles at AbbVie, Pfizer Inc, Schering-Plough Corp. (now Merck), and at the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA). DeLorenzo served in the administration of President George W. Bush at the White House Coalition Information Center and at the U.S. Department of State. Prior to this, she held roles in government and on political campaigns. (PF exclusive)

Corporate Comms Vet Boggs Joins Charter as Group VP, Policy Communications

Charter Communications, Inc. announced Avery Boggs has joined the company’s Government Affairs team as Group Vice President, Policy Communications. Based in Washington, D.C., Boggs is responsible for developing and implementing communications strategies to achieve the company’s policy objectives at the federal, state and local levels. She replaces Tamara Smith who has taken on a newly created role of Group Vice President, Partnerships and Strategy at the Charter-owned Spectrum Networks.

Boggs joins Charter from PLUS Communications where she served as Executive Vice President for Marketing and Strategy Development. At PLUS, she worked cross-functionally to develop strategic plans to achieve clients’ public policy goals and objectives. Prior to her work at PLUS, Avery was Senior Vice President at the Revolution Agency leading multi-media campaigns for clients including Hewlett Packard, Facebook, H&R Block and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce among others. She began her career in public affairs as a Communications Strategist at Strategic Partners in Media, formerly The Stevens and Schriefer Group, where she guided production, message development and research for a variety of elected officials and trade associations.

A lawyer by training, earlier in her career Boggs served as Associate Counsel at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. She holds a B.A in Business Administration from Texas A&M University and a J.D. from St. Mary’s University School of Law. (PF tipster)

Veteran Dem Communicator Brennan Joins Firehouse Strategies

Whitney Mitchell Brennan has joined Firehouse Strategies as senior vice president.

She is a veteran Democratic communicator with experience on campaigns and on Capitol Hill.

She most recently served as communications director and senior advisor for U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.).

Whitney is a graduate of Indiana University.

Top Senate Flack Joins Rokk Solutions as SVP

Senate Republican Conference deputy staff director Jeff Grappone is joining bipartisan public affairs Rokk Solutions as senior vice president.

Grappone has nearly 20 years of experience, including serving as Assistant Secretary of Labor for Public Affairs, as a senior communicator for Siemens, and for U.S. Sen. Kelly Ayotte (R-N.H.) and former Sen. John E. Sununu (R-N.H.).

Grappone is a graduate of Georgetown University. (PF tipster)

SENATE FLACK JORDAN HEADS TO PINKSTON GROUP

The Pinkston Group, a strategic communications consultancy located in the D.C.-metro area, today announced that Darrell “D.J.” Jordan, will be joining the firm as its newest director.

Jordan brings significant experience to the table, having served as communications director for federal leaders and committees, as well as curated content for major news outlets.

As communications director for Senator James Lankford (Okla.) and the House Small Business Committee, and press secretary for House Appropriations Subcommittee Chairman Robert Aderholt (AL-04), Jordan has secured national and local coverage on key policy issues.

As an editor and producer for Fox and CNN, he helped develop coverage for major news outlets. While working on Capitol Hill, he completed a Masters of Public Management at The Johns Hopkins University and fine-tuned his understanding of public policy. As such, he is ideally positioned to lead and implement strategic public relations campaigns for Pinkston Group clients.

As director, Jordan will lead a team of experienced strategists, designers, and writers. Leveraging his extensive experience and network, he will expand the Pinkston Group’s reach to new industries and sectors through a dynamic, targeted approach. (PF tipster)

Former Biden Aide Mulhauser Launches Aperture Strategies

Scott Mulhauser launched Aperture Strategies, a new strategic advisory and communications firm.

 

In his career, Mulhauser helped run the Senate Finance Committee, served as deputy chief of staff to Vice President Joe Biden during the 2012 campaign and was chief of staff at the U.S. Embassy in Beijing.

 

Aperture helps coalitions, corporations, nonprofits, trade associations and others navigate public affairs, communications and management challenges and advises them on developments both domestically and globally. (PF tipster)