Image-Makers

November 6, 2007 · Image Makers Article (PDF)

From the National Journal
Image-Makers
THE WEEKLY ON POLITICS AND GOVERNMENT

A person’s “good word and transparency is all you have in my line of work,” according to the soon-to-be-president of public affairs at WeberMerritt, Robert Tappan. His line of work has included serving as principal deputy assistant secretary of State for public affairs—working with Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice among other notables—and leadership roles in communications and public-relations firms. Tappan, 45, is proudest of his nearly four years of public service with the State Department, during which he worked in Iraq for almost six months. He has gone back three times since. Those were not easy trips for his family. Before each one, in order to keep his wife from worrying, he’d wait until a little closer to his departure date to tell her he was going. Tappan said that his four children have taught him not to take his career too seriously and that there are “more important things in life than just work.” On the weekends, Tappan is likely to be spending time with his family, at soccer games, or golfing when he gets the chance. Initially, he wanted to be a reporter or a writer. He majored in English and government, and fresh out of school took a low-level editorial job at The Washington Post. He calls this experience wonderful, but rather than going back to journalism school to pursue any aspirations in that field, he stumbled into public affairs. Tappan is looking forward to starting at Weber Merritt, where he will focus on bringing in new business, developing international-focused clientele, and managing the company’s public-affairs practice. He says that in his line of work you need to try to influence the outcome of votes in Congress and clarify issues for the public.

—W.C.