Fulop hired former Obama speech writer

JERSEY CITY – Mayor Steven Fulop has hired a former Obama speechwriter to serve as city’s communications director.
Ryan Jacobs has been named director of communications and will oversee public and media
relations for the Fulop administration while Jennifer Morrill will remain as press secretary to assist Jacobs with the day-to-day operations.
“Over the past two years, Jersey City has become one of the most desirable places in the state – and even beyond it – to live, work, and do business,” said Mayor Fulop, “From paid sick leave, to police reform, to our support for small business, we have become a model for other places to follow. And as our city grows – and becomes a leader in these ways – our need to communicate with our citizens and the press has never been more important.”
Fulop added, “Ryan is the person to help us do just that. He has a track record of success at the highest levels of government. He was one of the youngest lead speechwriters in the Obama administration. He’s smart, a gifted communicator, and a native New Jerseyan. I’m excited to have him on our team.”
Jacobs comes from the Obama Administration, where he was Chief Speechwriter at the U.S. Department of Transportation. There, he worked closely with Secretary Anthony Foxx, helping craft the administration’s message on a range of issues, from the Gateway Project underneath the Hudson River to the future of transportation and driverless cars. He also helped the secretary respond to a number of crises, like the crash of Amtrak Train 188 last May.
Before his time with Secretary Foxx, Jacobs worked at West Wing Writers, a speechwriting and strategic communications firm. His speeches were delivered by Fortune 500 CEOs, heads of non-profits, and the occasional rock star. In 2012, he served on the speechwriting team at the Democratic National Convention. Jacobs grew up in Wyckoff, New Jersey and graduated from Ramapo High School. He attended Yale University, where he earned a degree in History.
“Mayor Fulop has assembled an extremely impressive team of public servants,” said Jacobs, “I’m very grateful to be working with them. I’m also pretty excited to be the Mayor’s newest constituent.”
Jacobs moved back to New Jersey last week, to Jersey City. He begins his employment with the city today, Monday, Aug. 10 and will earn an annual salary of $110,000.