Contact: Scott Warner
703-744-7824
swarner@qorvis.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 

SUSAN MURPHY, LEADING COMMUNICATIONS AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS EXECUTIVE, JOINS QORVIS COMMUNICATIONS  

Washington , DC- September 24, 2003 – Qorvis Communications LLC, a privately held full service public relations firm, today announced that Susan Murphy joined the firm as a managing director.  Murphy brings over 15 years of progressive experience in communications and government/public affairs. 

Murphy joins Qorvis from the National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS) where she most recently served as their first senior vice president of communications and external affairs.  In this capacity, she developed both internal and external communications strategies and oversaw the execution of the association's communications programs.  In addition, she led the coordination of external affairs programs that included outreach to coalitions, community affairs projects and the work of NACDS organizations such as the charitable foundation.  

Prior to her promotion, Murphy served as NACDS' vice president of state government affairs where she led the industry's legislative, regulatory and political activities with state governments nationwide.  

"Susan Murphy brings a unique combination of communications and direct and grass roots lobbying experience that will pay immediate dividends to our clients," said Michael Petruzzello, managing partner of Qorvis.  "We are very fortunate to have someone of the caliber like Susan onboard at Qorvis."

Prior to her tenure with NACDS, Murphy initiated International Game Technology's state government affairs effort and political action committee.   She also contributed extensive public affairs experience not only with the chain drug industry and Fortune 500 companies, but also at the National Rifle Association, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the U.S. House of Representatives.  

"I am thrilled to join Qorvis and look forward to working with a dynamic team that has remarkably grown this firm into one of the top public relations companies in the area in a little over three years," said Murphy. 

About Qorvis
Qorvis Communications is one of the fastest growing public relations firms based in the Greater Washington, DC area.  Formed in August 2000, Qorvis has offices in Washington, DC and McLean, Virginia, and provides its clients with expertise in the areas of investor and financial relations, public affairs, grass roots campaigns, public and media relations, marketing communications, Internet-based campaigns and research and opinion surveys.  The Washington, DC based law firm of Patton Boggs is an investor in and strategic partner to Qorvis.