Washington's FP1 Strategies will add Ricky Diaz, spokesperson for North Carolina's Dept. of Health and Human Services, as VP on Jan. 24.

Partner Terry Nelson says Diaz’ “hands-on experience” in crafting messages will help clients “effectively drive the debate and win tough fights.”

Diaz, according to WRAL, served as the department’s “lightning rod” for controversies connected with food stamp enrollment, Medicaid billing and mailing 50K insurance cards to the wrong people.

Prior to landing the top communications job at DHHS, he was press secretary for Gov. Pat McCrory’s 2012 gubernatorial run.

Nelson was national political director for Bush/Cheney 2004, senior advisor to the National Republican Senate Committee and reprsentative for Walmart, Pfizer, AARP, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Fox Entertainment and American Chemistry Council.