DorobekINSIDER: ConnellyWorks the basis of a new government PR team

Editor’s note: Updated at 12:50p to add full press release…

ConnellyWorks, the public relations, marketing communications and events services, is merging with Yes&, a newly formed marketing agency, the DorobekINSIDER has learned.

The formal announcement will come later today.

Yes& is building a new firm that will focus on both public and private sector markets. Yes& was created by the merger of three established communications companies – PCI Communications, LeapFrog Solutions and Carousel30. ConnellyWorks becomes the latest addition to that group.

As part of the agreement, ConnellyWorks will continue to maintain its office in Arlington, VA. Furthermore, Joanne Connelly, who founded ConnellyWorks, will continue to serve as president of ConnellyWorks and will be part of the Yes& executive team

I will add the formal announcement to this post when it is released.

ConnellyWorks, founded some 15 years ago by Joanne Connelly, a former editor of Federal Computer Week, has been one of the cornerstones of the government IT market with business lines including public relations, events, and events management.

UPDATE: The full press release after the break:

DorobekINSIDER: Godspeed Justice Department deputy CIO Kevin Deeley

UPDATED with funeral information and other coverage.

Justice Department deputy chief information officer passed away over the weekend, reportedly from a heart attack, the DorobekINSIDER has learned.

Deeley, 55, was named deputy CIO in 2012 and his work was recognized with a Fed 100 award in 2014.

In an email to the Justice Management Division staff, Assistant Attorney General Lee Lofthus said:

It is with deep sadness that I am letting you know the heartbreaking news that Kevin Deeley passed away over the weekend. Kevin’s passing is a huge loss for JMD, the Department, and the entire federal IT community.

Kevin joined the Department in 1984, first serving at the Federal Bureau of Investigation Criminal Justice Information Services Division. Kevin was a longtime colleague in JMD, and most recently was appointed as Deputy Chief Information Officer in 2012 and managed OCIO’s internal operations, including policy, process, and the successful delivery of applications, networks, security, and data center services.

Kevin’s good humor and positive outlook, and willingness to tackle any task no matter how daunting or complicated, were his hallmarks. He will be dearly missed. We will provide additional information on service arrangements as they are made available. Please keep Kevin’s family and friends in your thoughts and prayers during this time.

As we get details, we will update this post.

Of course, our thoughts are with Deeley’s family and friends. Godspeed.

UPDATE: Deeley’s obituary via The Baltimore Sun:

On February 10, 2018; KEVIN THOMAS DEELEY; beloved spouse of Albert Eminizer; cherished son of Patricia Ann and the late Walter Gerald Deeley; dear brother of Patricia Pittman, Edward Deeley, James Deeley, Brian Deeley, Kathleen Fitzpatrick, Maureen Turney, and Sean Deeley. Kevin is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, and other family members. Family will receive friends on Wednesday, February 14 from 3-5 & 7-9PM at STERLING-ASHTON-SCHWAB-WITZKE FUNERAL HOME OF CATONSVILLE, INC., 1630 Edmondson Avenue, Catonsville, MD 21228; where a funeral service will be celebrated 1PM, Thursday, February 15. Interment in Meadowridge Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to BARCS, 301 Stockholm Street, Baltimore, MD 21230 (www.baltimoreanimalshelter.org) or MD SPCA, Development Office, 3300 Falls Road, Baltimore, MD 21211 (www.mdspca.org).

Other reports:

• FCW: DOJ’s Kevin Deeley passes away
  • “Deeley had a long history with the agency, first joining it in 1984, serving at the FBI’s Criminal Justice Information Services Division. He was named deputy CIO in 2012 and managed the CIO Office’s internal operations, including policy, process and the delivery of applications, networks, security and data center services.”
• FedScoop: Justice Deputy CIO Kevin Deeley passes away