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June 08, 2008 03:49 pm
Ellen Williams confirmed for second term on postal board
Ellen Williams, former Chair of the Republican Party of Kentucky, was confirmed June 4 for her second term on the U.S. Postal Service Board of Governors.
By RONNIE ELLIS
CNHI News Service
FRANKFORT — Frankfort lobbyist and former chairwoman of the Kentucky Republican Party has received confirmation by the U.S. Senate for her second term on the U.S. Postal Service Board of Directors.
This is Williams’ second term and will expire in December 2014; postal governors are limited to two terms. She was confirmed on June 4. She serves as a member of the board’s Compensation and Management Resources and Strategic Planning committees. In addition to postal rates, the nine appointed governors also choose a Postmaster General and Deputy General who also serve on the board.
Williams, 50, previously served on the Kentucky Public Service Commission and was Commissioner of the Governor’s Office of Local Development for a time during the administration of Gov. Ernie Fletcher. She was originally appointed to the postal board by President George W. Bush in February 2007.She served as Chair of the Republican Party of Kentucky beginning in 1999 and until appointed by Fletcher to the PSC. During her time as chair, the Republican Party of Kentucky gained majority control of the state Senate and elected Fletcher governor, the first Republican governor since 1971.
She operates her own lobbying and government affairs firm, Ellen C. Williams, LLC.
The University of Kentucky graduate began her political career in 1982 as a staff assistant for former U.S. Congressman Larry Hopkins. She worked in three presidential campaigns: for Ronald Reagan in 1984; George H.W. Bush in 1988 and Bob Dole in 1996. She also worked on the gubernatorial campaign of Larry Forgy in 1995. Williams served as Chairman of the Southern Chairman’s Association of the Republican National Committee and chaired the defense subcommittee of the platform committee at the 2000 Republican National Committee. She was chair of the Site Selection Committee for the 2004 Republican Convention.
She was named one of the 12 most influential women in Kentucky by Kentucky Monthly Magazine. She is close to U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell and state Senate President David Williams and has been a key advisor to Kentucky Republican candidates, taking special interest in the political careers of young candidates such as Trey Grayson, Richie Farmer and Republican women. She is viewed as one of the most politically astute politicians in Kentucky and candidates considering running for office routinely seek her counsel.
RONNIE ELLIS writes for CNHI News Service and is based in Frankfort. Reach him at rellis@cnhi.com.
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