Oh, snap. I guess we won’t be getting time with Mayor Mike Rawlings anytime soon. Comes news (full release after jump) that Sam Merten is now the manager of public affairs and communications for the mayor’s office. Longtime FrontBurnervians will remember that in 2007, when Merten was writing for Dallas Blog, he called me unethical, even going so far as to quote from an off-the-record talk I gave to his SMU class. (Side note: what the heck happened over there on Dallas Blog? The most recent posts went up in May, and they’re about China.) Then, in 2008, when he was working for the Observer, Merten said of me, “I haven’t liked or respected the guy from the first time I met him.”
Cristina, maybe you call him up and try to smooth things over? “I know, I know. I don’t like or respect him either. We’re doing our best to scale back his involvement with the magazine. Let’s you and I grab a coffee.” Something like that. Then, right before you hang up, try to order a Meat Lover’s pizza.
Mayor Rawlings Appoints Key Staff Members
DALLAS — Mayor Rawlings has named Adam McGough as his Chief of Staff. McGough most recently served as Chief of Strategic Initiatives. He will continue those duties and his focus on GrowSouth while leading and managing the Mayor’s staff.
McGough previously served as Executive Assistant City Attorney and Chief of Community Prosecution and Community Courts for the City of Dallas where he supervised a team of attorneys, code officers, and staff to improve the quality of life for the communities across Dallas. McGough has over 10 years of litigation experience, and he is leader in the mediation field where he serves as the Director of Conflict Management at EL Centro College. McGough has recently been appointed as a Special Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas.
Mayor Rawlings also named Sam Merten as Manager of Public Affairs / Communications handling internal and external communications for the Mayor’s office. Merten, a former reporter for the Dallas Observer, most recently worked at Allyn Media and has spent a considerable amount of time leading initiatives and serving clients benefiting the city of Dallas. Merten has worked closely with the Mayor’s office during the initial launch of GrowSouth, he assisted with Men Against Abuse rally, and he has worked closely with several Dallas City Council Members and local leaders to increase economic development in the city.
“Adam and Sam are both experienced in their fields, well respected, and they have my confidence,” said Mayor Rawlings. “They are energized and inspired to make a difference in Dallas.”
McGough will begin his new assignment immediately, and Merten will start on September 23, 2013.
