If you've ever worked as a reporter, you know how media relations people — the gatekeepers to many of our elected officials, high-level corporate officials as well as candidates — are a mixed bag.
Some genuinely want to help you any way they can and will tell you everything you need to know; some are helpful but keep a tight lid on their bosses to prevent the media from having a field day over poorly chosen words; some (very few) have no idea what their job is, other than being a total snot to reporters inquiring about basic things (we won't name any of these, but they're out there).
In her service as Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn's media relations manager over the past four years, Ali Glisson fell in the middle camp. She was always helpful, but never revealed too much.
According to a media release Glisson wrote, she is leaving this position to "pursue other opportunities," but Glisson said she is going to work for Strategic Property Partners, or SPP, the company Lightning owner Jeff Vinik heads. SPP is carrying out a billion-dollar development in the Channelside area.
She told CL the new gig fits right in with her career plans; early in the year she had been planning on going to graduate school to study urban planning or economic development, so the SPP opportunity was a no-brainer.
"Of course I had to take it," she said.
Glisson did not disclose her new salary, but we're guessing it exceeds the $97,000 she made with the city.
Not that she didn't weigh the decision to leave the office of the city's top executive.
"It was really a tough decision to leave the city, generally," she said, adding that she learned immensely over her tenure.
SPP later sent out a statement on the new hire.
“We are very pleased that Ali has elected to join Strategic Property Partners to manage our communications efforts,” said SPP Chief Operating Officer Jim Shimberg, a former city attorney under Buckhorn, said in a written statement. “Her extensive public affairs background, experience with the City of Tampa and its partners and relationships with the local media make her the perfect addition to the company as we continue to plan and construct our development. On behalf of the entire e SPP team, we’d also like to thank Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn for endorsing Ali’s new role with our organization.”
So she'll be busy.
Glisson's replacement is Ashley Bauman, who has been working as a communications consultant in Washington, DC.
Like Glisson, she has been heavily involved in Democratic campaigning. She has headed up communications for Democratic National Committee hair Debbie Wasserman-Schultz, directed communications for the Democratic Party of Virginia and was statewide press secretary for Organizing for America-Florida, according to the release.
“Ashley’s background in strategic communications will make her a natural fit. She brings a tremendous amount of experience to the position, and her diverse background will only be an asset to the citizens of Tampa,” said Mayor Bob Buckhorn in a written statement. “Tampa has an amazing story to tell, and Ashley will help us share that story locally as well as nationally.”
Bauman's annual salary will be $110,000.
She starts Sept. 14; Glisson starts her new gig Monday, which means we may not have anyone in the mayor's office to pester for a whole month.
