Barry Aide Talks About Plans
Keith Andrew Perry couldn't resist the D.C. Wire's quest to learn what he plans to do this time after leaving the John A. Wilson Building.
Barry's soon-to-be-former chief of staff, who will depart on Friday, called to say he's launching a consulting business. He's been toying with the idea for more than a year.
In January, Perry drafted plans to start a communications business, Progressive Strategic Intelligence. Despite his background, the company will not solely focus on political consulting. Working with two silent partners, whom he wouldn't identify, Perry said they will consult with businesses on how to reach out to other businesses and improve their communication with government entities. (Does that translate into helping companies win government contracts?) They also plan to work with nonprofit groups to help them convey their mission and message.
"I see us as a kind of a hybrid," Perry said. "It's not a lobbying shop, not a public relations shop and it's not political consulting. It's a combination of all three. Those skill sets have been acquired over my 20 years in D.C. politics."
When it became clear Barry was going to run for reelection, Perry said he figured it was time for "a clear break for both of us."
Barry agreed. Yesterday, the council member said he wished Perry the best.
"This was very much done in concert with Council member Barry," Perry said. "He was very much aware of my desire to maximize my experience in the public sector."
As the Wire told you yesterday, Perry has left the council before. In 2005, he worked for Council member Kwame R. Brown. He came to work for Barry in April 2006 as his legislative director and six months later was named chief of staff.
"I feel like I received a Ph.D in political science working for him," Perry said. "Working for the council, the degree of commitment [required begins] to wear on you financially and on your personal life."
Now, the Wire wants to know who Barry will announce as his fourth chief of staff and when will his new aide take over?
By Yolanda Woodlee |
April 17, 2008; 7:00 AM ET
| Category:
D.C. Council
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Posted by: ahashburn | April 17, 2008 1:04 PM
I hardly think being associated with a criminal like Moron Barry can be considered a stepping stone for a career.
It is more like a blinking STOP sign showing poor judgement.
Posted by: dc-20008 | April 17, 2008 2:14 PM
Oh please, you can label the criminal tag on half the members of the Congress. Perry will still be a commodity for anyone seeking to do business in this town. Regardless of whom you work for you must still possess some keen intellect to be a Chief of Staff to a councilmember. Working for them doesn't mean you condone their PAST activities.
Posted by: | April 17, 2008 3:35 PM
"As the Wire told you yesterday" ...
Yo WaPo! Do you respect your readers? Can you actually provide a hyperlink to the previous story you mention? That's Blogging 101. First WaPo fires staffer Mike Tunison for being a successful blogger on the side, now WaPo shows it doesn't understand blogging. Doh! Move the downtown newsroom to Arlington. That'd solve a lot of problems.
Posted by: hyperlinking Dave | April 17, 2008 4:39 PM
Is this the same Keith Andrew Perry who ran for council representing Ward 6 with the slogan "Put a KAP in it"? As in, the reference to shooting someone? This, in a city with a serious violence problem?
That stunning bit should have been enough to disqualify him from ever being associated with DC government in any way.
Posted by: Hillman | April 17, 2008 5:14 PM
I never heard that slogan...but if he refered to a Kap I would assume judging by the way it is spelled he meant Kappa as in his fraternity. The fraternity of Both Adrian Fenty and Kwame Brown. I would assume with all the Kappas in this town he thought it would provide more pull.
Posted by: Also on Hill | April 17, 2008 8:26 PM
K. A. P. are his name's initial. Keith Andrew Perry.
Posted by: | April 20, 2008 10:43 PM
The comments to this entry are closed.
Mr. Perry should be barred from any consulting activities involving the DC gov't for 5 years. Otherwise, I'm sure he and his clients will receive questionable sole-sourced contracts due to his connection in the DC Gov't.