Chris Matthews wife leaves WJLA as Anchor for Executive job at Marriott Hotel

[KoKo]

A Night Out: Kathleen Matthews' Marriott Soiree

11/28/2006 in SceneBy Garrett M. Graff

As WJLA bids adieu to its long-time anchor Kathleen Matthews, local hotel giant Marriott welcomes its newest executive.

What: Welcome to Marriott reception for Kathleen Matthews

Where: The Ritz-Carlton in the West End

When: Monday night, 6:30 p.m. to 8:30ish

Who: Guest lists don't get much better than this in Washington without the President or a Hollywood star. Everyone from her WJLA colleagues (Gordon Peterson, Maureen Bunyan, Leon Harris, et al.) to local business leaders (Jim Kimsey) to other media friends (Fox's Chris Wallace, CNN's Ed Henry, NBC's Norah O'Donnell) to local publicists, city officials, Marriott executives, and nearly the whole Marriott clan packed the Ritz's holiday-themed ballroom to wish Matthews well after 30 years at WJLA and in her new post as head of communications and government affairs for the locally based hotel giant.

Representing the political realm the incoming senate majority leader, Harry Reid, briefly stopped in. Nearly the city's entire social press turned out, from the Reliable Source's Amy Argetsinger to Capitol Leader newcomer Anne Schroeder to the not-really-retired Chuck Conconi.

Scene: There aren't that many events in Washington that require a receiving line. At last night's soiree, though, guests were greeted by Marriott's outgoing and incoming new PR executives, Charlotte Sterling and Matthews, along with their spouses (i.e. MSNBC's Chris), and Mr. Marriott himself. After an hour of mingling and munching, Sterling and one of the Marriotts took the stage to welcome Matthews, who gave a gracious speech that made it sound like she'd been delivering Marriott talking points for decades. A video of Matthews' career highlights showed her over the years through many hair styles on many continents and also learning the ropes in her new Marriott post.

Overheard: The discussion among several in the crowd was the main challenge facing Matthews, a stand-out on the local news anchor desk, is that she'll be managing a massive operation with scores of staff in her new gig. In news, she's never been a manager—now she's stepping into a giant role.

http://www.washingtonian.com/blogarticles/mediapolitics/capitalcomment/2753.html

[madokie]

1. are we witnessing a change of heart,

With tweety coming around of late and all, his hospitalization :shrug:

[Skarbrowe]

2. Wonder if it has anything to do with his "bust your balls" comment

with John Edwards? I know, very snarky comment on my part. Good news for Mrs. Matthews and good luck in her new career. I'm just still trying to figure out why Chris would say say something about Mrs. Edwards "busting John's balls" on television in front of a live college crowd (Mrs. Edwards actually said "Hey, my kids are watching this!!!) by stopping him from answering a question about John Kerry's messed up joke right before the election. heh I won't mention it again. Promise.

[KoKo]

3. The Party was just before he had his medical incident. Wonder why she

left a job she'd had for 30 years....what was up with that... How is she qualified for the Marriott job....Questions.

[faithnotgreed]

4. i THINK i recall that there was some shake-up at wabc and she was

included in that so again if i recall correctly that was at least the major reason why she "left" the news station

[KoKo]

8. Matthews didn't do his Show tonight...It was Mike Barnikal (sp) the Blagerizer

standing in for him. Did Tweety have a One Hit Wonder with Edwards? :shrug:

[AspenRose]

5. One of the best places to work in DC (Washingtonian)

Marriott International
What it does: Hotel management.

Number of employees: 12,000 in Washington, 128,000 worldwide.

Interesting perks: On-site childcare, nurse, post office, and gas station. Discounted hotel stays; employees with 25 years or more stay at Marriott properties for free.

When Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast, it displaced 2,800 Marriott employees. To help its people, the company hung banners outside its hotels and handed out T-shirts at shelters to advertise a toll-free number employees could call to report in. Marriott gave each affected employee $500 in cash, housed and fed many in hotels, and paid everyone through September.

"My dad was a very compassionate man and treated his people very well. I've tried to follow in his footsteps," says J.W. Marriott Jr., whose parents, J. Willard and Alice S. Marriott, began the company 78 years ago. "The corporate philosophy is take good care of the associates, and they'll take care of the customer."

<snip>

Marriott, 10400 Fernwood Rd., Bethesda; marriott.com.

http://www.washingtonian.com/articles/businesscareers/2160.html

[KoKo]

6. I'm a Marriott "Silver Card Member" because we travel with our cats

and their "Residence Inn's" were good for us....

So, not that I've had a problem with them in the past ...but their

[Shakespeare]

7. She's been an excellent anchor.

WJLA was my channel of choice for news when I lived in DC, and Matthews always impressed me. I wish her well at the new job--I know she'll be missed on the air.

[KoKo]

9. That's good to know...why do you think she left after 30 years?

Was it that they wanted a "chickie new face" or what? Used to be when you got over 40 the locals and nework TV Producers would put you out to pasture...if your "face lift" didn't turn out the way you hoped. :shrug:

[Shakespeare]

10. Age probably has something to do with it. n/t

[devilgrrl]

11. Isn't Marriott a huge GOP backer?????

That's the impression I got.

[Cush]

12. She's Chris' wife? Lol, I never knew that

I've lived in NoVa all my life (I'm 29) and she's been on channel 7 for as long as I can remember, never realized she was married to Chris.

Of course, I really never watched 7 all that much, usually watch WUSA 9 (CBS)