The American Seniors Association, a Georgia-based group that hopes to provide a conservative counterweight to the powerful AARP, brought in Republican advisor and Burson-Marsteller alum Jeri Thompson to head policy and communications.
Thompson, the wife of former senator and presidential candidate Fred Thompson, is based in McLean, Va., and serves as national policy director and spokeswoman for the group. She signed a three-year pact with the group that covers strategic consulting, media relations, alliance building and government relations.
ASA was set up in 2009 in opposition to the Obama administration’s healthcare overhaul. It helps senior secure Medicare, auto and health insurance, among other benefits. Any early promotion for the group had prospective members mail in their AARP cards in exchange for a discounted membership. [AARP supported Obamacare.]
Thompson is a columnist for the American Spectator and co-hosts a radio show with her husband, in addition to appearances on Fox News Channel. She was a senior strategist and director of new business for Burson-Marsteller and later worked communications for the law firm Piper Rudnick.
Thompson also held PR posts for the Republican National Committee and Senate Republican Conference.
ASA president and CEO Phil Kent said in a statement that Thompson " make sure that our membership has a strong voice in Washington” and will play a key role in growing the organization and its media presence.