Governor's press office loses spokeswoman, replaces her, loses replacement, promotes another
All of it happened in less than a week: Jenn Meale left Gov. Rick Scott's press shop to take over as communications director for Attorney General Pam Bondi down the hall. Meale was communications director for the Florida Department of Business Regulation before joining Scott's team after the election.
The pick to replace her was Andy Gonzalez, former press secretary to retired U.S. Rep. Lincoln Diaz-Balart. Deputy communications director Brian Hughes introduced Gonzalez to several members of the press corps Monday morning, though it proved to be premature. A few hours later, Gonzalez decided Tallahassee wasn't for him and left the gig during his orientation, Hughes said later, reigniting the search to replace Meale.
In other news from that office, spokeswoman Amy Graham has been named a deputy press secretary. Graham joined the Scott administration during the transition. Before that she handled communications for the Department of Environmental Protection.
Sink spokeswoman joins D.C. communications firm
Kyra Jennings has joined Freedman Consulting, LLC in Washington, D.C. as chief of staff and senior media strategist.
Former McCollum adviser named vice president of Mears Transportation Group
Shannon Gravitte will be the Orlando-based company's vice president of government and community affairs. Gravitte has 20 years of public sector experience, including stints with former Attorney General Bill McCollum and former Secretary of State Glenda Hood. She most recently directed the Florida Office of Public Strategies, Inc., serving clients such as Orlando Health, Volkswagen, Brighthouse and Accenture, among others.
Ron Sachs Communications launches digital division
SachsDigital will amp up its public relations and advertising services with social media consulting, online crisis communications, online advertising, email list management and online brand management. Ryan Duffy, previously a communications aide to Gov. Jeb Bush and U.S. Sens. Mel Martinez and George LeMieux, will be the division's managing director.
Former House staffer forms state defense contractors' group
Joe Marino for several years held jobs with the House Military and Veteran Affairs Committee, Department of Veterans' Affairs, and Office of Trade, Transportation and Economic Development. He left the public sector after the 2010 election to form the Florida League of Defense Contractors, an advocacy group trying to bring and keep high-wage jobs in the state.
Former DOT secretary to assist congressman
Stephanie Kopelousos is the new senior advisor to U.S. Rep. John Mica, who chairs the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee in Congress, the News Service of Florida reported.
That's it for this week. Send your personnel updates to Katie Sanders at [email protected] to be included in our weekly roundup.
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