Appointment of Leslye A. Arsht as Special Assistant and Deputy Press Secretary to the President

The President today announced his intention to appoint Leslye A. Arsht as Special Assistant and Deputy Press Secretary to the President.

Prior to joining the White House staff, she had spent 7 months working on her first novel. Previously, Ms. Arsht was director of public affairs for the Boston-based Cabot Corporation (1983-1986), where she also served as manager of corporate communications (1979-1983). From 1975 to 1979, Ms. Arsht was associated with Union Carbide Corporation; she was named the manager of public relations for Union Carbide's Washington office in 1976. Ms. Arsht has served as a public information specialist for the United States Environmental Protection Agency (1973-1975); and as a writer and editor for the White House News Summary (1969-1972). In 1981 Ms. Arsht was named Communicator of the Year by the Yankee Chapter of the International Association of Business Communicators. She was a recipient of the YWCA's 1985 Twin Award (Tribute to Women in International Industry).

She graduated from the University of Houston (B.A., Political Science, 1968). Ms. Arsht is a native of Houston, TX, and currently resides in Washington, DC.