New health care role for press secretary.It's been a stressful few years for Margita Thompson. As press secretary for Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger Arnold Alois Schwarzenegger (German pronunciation (IPA): [ˈaɐ̯nɔlt ˈaloɪ̯s ˈʃvaɐ̯ʦənˌʔɛɡɐ] since his first term, Thompson has been flooded with loads of press queries, meeting requests and interview questions day after day. After three hectic years and another chaotic election season finished, it was time for a change. Thompson, 39, will take over Jan. 8 as vice president of communications for the Woodland Hills managed healthcare provider Health Net Inc. "Elections are a natural time when you can reflect on what you've done and start a new beginning. It's a positive time for me to look forward," she said. Thompson arrives with an extensive resume versed in high profile political, consulting and media positions in Washington, D.C., Sacramento and Los Angeles. After graduating from University of California The University of California has a combined student body of more than 191,000 students, over 1,340,000 living alumni, and a combined systemwide and campus endowment of just over $7.3 billion (8th largest in the United States). Berkeley and Harvard University, she worked as an aide to Pete Wilson when he was a U.S. senator, later following him to Sacramento when he was elected governor. In between, she served on the Bush-Quayle campaign in California and for a series of public policy groups. By 1999, she was California press secretary and director of communications Director of Communications is a position in the private and public sectors. The Director of Communications is responsible for managing and directing an organization's internal and external communications. for the Bush-Cheney campaign, later working as press secretary for Lynn Cheney, the vice president's wife. In 2000, Thompson was hired as director of California operations for the National Venture Capital Association, following a series of similar communications positions for other high-tech groups. In 2002, Thompson was named press secretary for former L.A. Mayor Richard Riordan's failed bid to become California governor. Later, she was hired by CNN CNN or Cable News Network Subsidiary company of Turner Broadcasting Systems. It was created by Ted Turner in 1980 to present 24-hour live news broadcasts, using satellites to transmit reports from news bureaus around the world. to book guests for the talk show "Larry King Live Larry King Live is a nightly CNN interview program hosted by broadcaster and writer Larry King. The show premiered in 1985, and is CNN's most watched program, with over one million viewers nightly. ." Thompson said the Health Net position piqued her interest because of the company's strong leadership and the idea of exploring a new sector in which she's never worked. "It's an extremely exciting time to be involved with healthcare. I'm very excited to learn," she said. Thompson said she's up for the challenge. "It will keep my adrenaline going after becoming an adrenaline junkie junkie Popular health A popular term for a person, usually an IV narcotic abusing addict, whose life is disorganized vis-á-vis family and societal structure, whose existence revolves around obtaining–often through theft, prostitution or other illicit working for Arnold Schwarzenegger," she said. Thompson is the second Schwarzenegger aide to head to Health Net this year. The governor's chief of staff, Patricia Clarey, became the HMO's chief operating officer Chief Operating Officer (COO) The officer of a firm responsible for day-to-day management, usually the president or an executive vice-president. in March. BY CHRIS COATES COATES Community Opportunities Accountability and Training and Educational Services (US Department of Health and Human Services) Staff Reporter |
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