Dori Henry joining Blended Public Affairs, plus more political personnel news

Dori Henry is departing as chief of staff to the Baltimore County executive to become senior Vice President at Blended Public Affairs. Courtesy photo.

Dori Henry, a seasoned policy and communications strategist who is leaving her post next month as chief of staff to Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski Jr. (D), is joining forces with Alexandra Hughes, the former chief of staff to state House Speaker Adrienne A. Jones (D-Baltimore County) and the late Speaker Michael E. Busch (D).

Henry is set to become senior vice president of Blended Public Affairs, the firm Hughes started after she left the legislature. Henry’s addition is another a sign of the firm’s steady growth since Hughes launched it in 2022.

Current clients include US Wind, MCB Real Estate, Anheuser Busch and the William Julius Wilson Institute, a national anti-poverty think tank.

“We are so thrilled to welcome Dori to Blended,” Hughes said. “Dori is a powerhouse and her local, state and federal communications, political and executive management experience are second to none. She brings tremendous value to our team and elevates Blended to another level in the DMV.”

Henry has worked for Olszewski since he took office in 2018, becoming chief of staff in September 2022 after stints as his communications director and deputy chief of staff. Olszewski is heavily favored to win a congressional seat in November and leave the county executive’s job.

“From the moment we took office, Dori has been an integral partner in every major initiative our administration has undertaken and has been an invaluable leader in our work to build a better Baltimore County,” Olszewski said. “Our communities are stronger today because of her unwavering commitment to innovative, accountable government and her passion for public service.”

Prior to her service with Baltimore County, Henry oversaw communications for the Bloomberg American Health Initiative at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, served as assistant secretary for public affairs at the U.S. Department of Labor, and held roles at the U.S. Department of Justice, the Maryland Department of Health and the Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation. Besides Olszewski, her ex-bosses and professional mentors have included Tom Perez, for whom she worked at the DOJ and state and federal labor departments, and Josh Sharfstein, the former Maryland health secretary.

Henry, who began her career as a journalist but has spent most of the past two decades in government, said she’ll be able to apply what she’s learned in her new position.

“Obviously my background is largely in communications and more recently, strategy – political strategy and community engagement,” she said.

Henry added that Hughes will be one of her first women bosses.

“I think our skills are aligned, and this is a good opportunity to try something new with someone I really respect,” she said. “She’s already been a strong foundation. I’m excited to help her grow.”

On the move

The Maryland Economic Development Corporation (MEDCO) has a new chief of staff. Candace Dodson-Reed, a well-traveled and well-connected government hand, assumed the position at the quasi-governmental organization in early July.

“I am confident she will play a pivotal role in advancing our organization’s mission of fostering economic growth and prosperity throughout Maryland,” said Tom Sadowski, MEDCO’s executive director.

Dodson-Reed brings nearly 30 years of experience in leadership, strategic planning, and communications to her new role. Most recently she was chief of staff and executive vice president at the Baltimore-based Green and Healthy Homes Initiative, and before that spent eight years in top roles at the University of Maryland Baltimore County. She also has experience in Howard County government, at Anne Arundel Community College, at the Greater Baltimore Committee and other civic-focused organizations.

“I look forward to contributing to the organization’s mission of advancing economic development and opportunity,” Dodson-Reed said. “I am excited to work alongside such a talented team and help drive impactful initiatives that help communities around our state thrive.”

As the lobbying world turns

The Annapolis lobbying firm Schwartz, Metz, Wise and Kauffman, P.A., made a couple of internal changes this month.

The firm named Andrew G. “Drew” Vetter as partner and Danna L. Kauffman as managing partner.

Vetter joined the firm in September 2022 after a stint as deputy administrative officer in Baltimore County, and advises firm clients across a diverse range of areas, including health care, the environment, technology, energy and utilities, pharmaceuticals and public safety, among others.

Vetter has also worked for state government and Baltimore City government.

Kauffman has been with the firm since 2013 and became a partner in 2017. She has worked for the General Assembly, state government and a statewide health care association.

Annapolis media firm adds a partner

Strategic Partners and Media, the Annapolis-based media firm closely associated with former Gov. Larry Hogan (R) and other Republicans, announced this week that Anthony Pileggi is becoming a partner.

Pileggi has a long career in political consulting and campaign strategy, most recently as a partner at Guidant Polling and Strategy. His portfolio includes serving as a general consultant for several incumbent members of Congress, including U.S. Reps. Claudia Tenney (R-N.Y.) and Andrew Garbarino (R-N.Y.). He has also worked in several capacities on the campaign and government sides for Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.).

“I have worked with Anthony for a decade, and I know that his deep-rooted experience and innovative approach to political strategy will undoubtedly bolster our capabilities in delivering results for our clients,” said Russ Schriefer, the firm’s founding partner.

The firm has cut ads for Hogan and his political entities dating back to his 2014 campaign for governor.

Pileggi said SPM “has a well-deserved reputation for winning some of the biggest political races in the toughest environments in the country, and I look forward to helping build on this success.”

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