PM Harper searches for 7th comms director in 7 years

Angelo Persichilli, who quit life as a journalist last August to become Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s director of communications, has just announced his resignation. Here is the letter released to the Parliamentary Press Gallery:

 30 March 2012

To: Parliamentary Press Gallery

With considerable regret, I have informed Prime Minister Stephen Harper that I am resigning from my position as Director of Communications, effective once my successor is appointed.

This is a prestigious position that requires extremely intense effort and very long hours, which at a certain age, are not an option for a long period of time.

At this time, I would like to express my thanks to members of the media at all levels for their professionalism and fair-mindedness in our dealings, as well as my appreciation to my colleagues in the Prime Minister’s Office, to the members of the Cabinet and Conservative caucus, and to the federal public service, with all of whom I have greatly valued the privilege of working.

Most of all, I would like to thank Prime Minister Stephen Harper for the opportunity to serve him during this exciting period. It has been an honour.

Sincerely,

Angelo Persichilli

Director of Communications

Since Harper became prime minister in January, 2006, the top communications job in his office has seen plenty of occupants:

  1. William Stairs
  2. Sandra Buckler
  3. Kory Teneycke
  4. John Williamson
  5. Dimitri Soudas
  6. Angelo Persichilli

Here’s a post from not even a year ago, reviewing the appointments up to Persichilli. Stephen Harper: 5+ years in office and about to hire his 6th communications director. So, now in his seventh year as prime minster, Harper is searching for his 7th communications director.

2 thoughts on “PM Harper searches for 7th comms director in 7 years”

  1. Much is being made of the fact there have been so many directors of communications, but there appears to be only one on the list who was actually fired, at least from your description in the link provided.

    Two of them, Teneycke & Williamson, quit to go to greener pastures; one, Buckler, left on account of illness, at least according to reports at the time; and Soudas & Persichilli both cited family reasons, because of the workload being too demanding.

    So where’s the beef? Journalists are making such a big deal out of those changes, intimating the PM booted those people out, whereas tongues have been relatively wag-free about the departure of Brad Lavigne, Drew Anderson, and Ray Guardia from the NDP leader’s office.

    Double standard, perhaps?

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