WASHINGTON: Fleishman-Hillard has brought aboard former director of
the US Mint Phillip Diehl to oversee the day-to-day operations of its
recently merged lobbying shop, FH/GPC.
Fleishman created Diehl's new position, COO, in order to free up the
firm's principals from internal burdens so they could concentrate on
"building a new brand and on client service issues," said Rob Mooney,
senior partner and regional director for Fleishman. Diehl started in the
post October 1.
As director of the US Mint, Diehl experienced Fleishman from a client's
point of view for several years. He'd also spent many years working with
Senator and Secretary of the Treasury Lloyd Bentsen (D-TX), serving
variously as his legislative director, staff director, and chief of
staff.
"As director of the Mint, Phil had a good relationship with us and had
kicked our tries as we'd kicked his," said Mooney. "So when the
management team screened candidates, we submitted our unanimous
recommendation to (regional president) Paul Johnson, and he was our
unanimous choice."