National Journal Influence Alley
By Andrew Joseph
April 26, 2012

Story Partners has hired four people to join the public affairs firm.

Lauren Pratapas is coming on as senior director after working as director of new media for House Majority Whip Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.). Ashley LaGanga, a former deputy press secretary to Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), has been named the firm’s writer/editor. And Lisa Chapman, who was an associate at HDMK, and Elyse Petroni, who was an account executive at GolinHarris, are joining as senior associates.

Story Partners also promoted Andrew Fimka from director to vice president.

For more on Pratapas, including which team she’s rooting for in the NHL playoffs, check out tomorrow’s National Journal magazine for a profile.

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Story Partners Adds New Talent to Washington DC Office

Public Affairs Practice Expands with Four Additions

Washington, D.C. – Today Story Partners, a leading national public affairs firm, announces the expansion of its D.C. office with the addition of four team members.  Lauren Pratapas joins as a Senior Director; Ashley LaGanga as the firm’s Writer/Editor; and Lisa Chapman and Elyse Petroni as Senior Associates.  In addition, Story Partners’ has promoted Director Andrew Fimka to Vice President.

“Story Partners excels because we couple Washington veterans with the best and brightest young communicators,” said Gloria Story Dittus, Chairman of Story Partners. “Today’s additions from Capitol Hill leadership and experienced public relations firms bear that strategy.”

Lauren Pratapas joins Story Partners from Majority Whip Kevin McCarthy’s office, where she served as Director of New Media.  She developed the “WhipCast App,” oversaw website development, and implemented their social media plan.  Prior to her work on Capitol Hill Lauren was a producer for CNN, working on television, field production, CNN’s Political Ticker blog, as well as the Politics Daily Podcast.

Ashley LaGanga brings her persuasive writing and communications skills to Story Partners.  She formerly served as deputy press secretary to Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell and press aide to Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert.  Ashley graduated summa cum laude from Sweet Briar College, and earned her J.D. at George Mason University School of Law.

Lisa Chapman comes to Story Partners as an associate from HDMK, where she worked regularly with national television, print, and radio media.  She has extensive experience with new media including national blogs and social networking communities.  She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Political Science from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio.

Elyse Petroni joins Story Partners from GolinHarris, where she served as an Account Executive.    There she conducted traditional media relations as well as a variety of new media strategies, including executing blogger relations, creating innovative applications of social media, and serving as community manager and copy writer for clients’ social networks.  Elyse holds a B.S. in Journalism from West Virginia University.

Vice President Andrew Fimka joined Story Partners in 2011 as a Director and was recently promoted following his successful work managing coalitions for Story Partners within the energy and financial services industries. Andrew joined Story Partners following seven years at the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB). Fimka holds a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Hartford and a Master’s Degree in Legislative Affairs from George Washington University.

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