happy for Marcie 07/09/08
When I worked for U.S. Senator George V. Voinovich (R-Ohio) from 2002-2004 as his deputy communications director and later speechwriter, I had the good fortune to sit directly across from one of DC’s best communicators and best people, Marcie Ridgway.
Over those two years and beyond, we became really close friends and colleagues. Together, we experienced all the highs and lows of working in a Senate office and shared all of the personal stuff that colleagues share when they’re also friends. Marcie was the press secretary and I did most of the writing. I learned a lot about the biz by listening to her blab to the press.
Our desks faced one another in our communications area while our boss, Scott, his press assistant Wendy, and Voino’s long-time speechwriter, Lynn, either sat in an office or away from us. When we moved to a new office, our desks were faced away from each other. We tried that for about a minute but then pushed and pulled our desks back together. It just had to be that way.
As a credit to her awesome relationship with the press, one of our former colleagues, Kevin, just sent along this New York Times announcement of her recent wedding in Ireland. So happy for her.
Marcie and I still chat every now and again. Primarily about how the Dept. of Ed could get more hip on Facebook but it’s still good to catch up for a minute or two.
In this town, you never forget the people that made a real difference in your life and career. Marcie is one of those people. Here’s to Marc and Will. Congrats.
