Ben Finzel, a veteran communications specialist and former congressional and executive branch staffer, has joined Glen Echo Group as executive vice president.

Finzel has experience working for one of American politics’ most qualified individuals, former Gov. Bill Richardson. He worked for Richardson when the New Mexico Democrat was a House member back in the 1990s and when he was Energy secretary during the Clinton administration. He also worked for ex-Rep. Itimous Thaddeus Valentine Jr., D-N.C., before his times with Richardson.

Finzel’s communications experience in the private sector reads like a who’s who of the industry: FleishmanHillard, Edelman public relations, Widmeyer Communications and Waggener Edstrom.

“At Glen Echo, while we take pride in not taking ourselves seriously, we take our work and our clients to heart. Benʼs expertise in strategy, media relations and partnerships, as well as his depth in energy and cleantech are a natural fit with the Glen Echo Group focus on translating complicated issues into compelling stories that drive action,” Glen Echo Group CEO & Founder Maura Corbett said in a statement announcing the hire.

Nice to hear sentiment about her own firm like that! How about a classic Echo and the Bunnymen track to welcome Finzel on our end:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bgjy_v8gt7g