JHU hires former Enron exec.

The Johns Hopkins University has hired a former vice president of Enron Corporation to fill its newly created position of vice president of government, community and public affairs.

Linda L. Robertson, 47, began work last Tuesday. The new position was created to bolster Hopkins' relationship with its external audiences, which include the surrounding communities, state and federal governments and broader audiences both nationwide and global. It will bring together in one organization all of the people throughout Hopkins involved in government and community affairs, said Executive Director of Communications and Public Affairs Dennis O'Shea.

"There will [now] be a high-level person... whose job it is to think strategically about the university's relationship with its external audience," said O'Shea.

In November 2000, Robertson was hired by Enron Corporation as vice president and general manager of federal government affairs. After the scandal in which Enron executives were accused of lying about profits and debts, Robertson was asked to close the Washington office in February 2002. She is not believed to have played any role in the scandal and was not subpoenaed to testify during the investigation.

Prior to joining Enron, Robertson spent nearly eight years as a senior official at the U.S. Treasury Department, serving as assistant treasury secretary for legislative affairs and public liaison in the Clinton administration. She also worked for the House Ways and Means Committee and as a lobbyist specializing in finance, tax, corporate, energy and technology issues.

President William R. Brody has expressed hope that the new position would aid efforts to strengthen ties between the University and the surrounding neighborhood.

"President Brody feels strongly that the University's success depends on the success of the community around it, and the community's success depends on [that of] the University," said O'Shea.

Brody also expressed confidence in the experience and credentials of Robertson, who has been working for the law firm of Dickstein, Shapiro, Morin & Oshinsky, based in Washington, D.C., since leaving Enron.

"She proved herself to be extremely able at managing a complex function through several administrative leaders and came with outstanding recommendations," said Brody.

While serving for the Treasury Department, Robertson earned both the Alexander Hamilton Award, the department's highest honor, and the Ida B. Well-Barnett Achievement Award.