C&A National Security Adds Three New Senior Advisors

WASHINGTON – Gerald S.J. Cassidy, chairman and CEO of Cassidy & Associates, announced today that the firm’s National Security Practice is broadening its reach with the addition of three new senior advisors. The new C&A advisors are retired Army Major General Byron S. Bagby, retired Rear Admiral Christopher Cole and Wayne Simpson, former senior staff member at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

“We’re eager to have all three gentlemen, respected experts and leaders in their fields, on board here,” Cassidy said. “Their in-depth experience on critical issues helps ensure we continue providing our clients the type of unmatched senior level counsel and effective strategy. Today’s announcement is testament to the kind of public policy professionals Barry Rhoads, president of C&A, has assembled in our National Security Practice and explains his group’s continued success for clients.”

Cassidy noted the successful track record of the C&A National Security Practice includes work assisting national security initiatives through Congress, introducing client products to the federal government, and engaging business-to-business interaction that increases client revenue and productivity.

General Bagby retired from the U.S. Army after more than 33 years of service. He held command positions in the 82d and 101st Airborne Divisions, and was Deputy Commander of the 10th Mountain Division in Afghanistan. He served in executive leadership positions on the Army Staff in the Office of the Director of Programs and on the Joint Staff in the Directorate of Strategic Plans and Policy. He has also served as: Commandant of Joint Forces Staff College; Chief of Staff of U.S. Army, Europe; and as Chief of U. S. Security Assistance in Egypt the largest security cooperation operation in the world, with programs valued at over $1.3 billion annually.

Rear Admiral Cole retired from active service in January 2004 after 32 years of military leadership and experience with the United States Navy. He was selected for Flag rank in 1997 and has served as the Commander of U.S. Naval Forces Korea, Commander of Navy Region Mid- Atlantic in Norfolk, Virginia, and Director of the Office of Chief Naval Operations’ Ashore Readiness Division. His personal decorations include the Distinguished Service Medal, the Legion of Merit (4), the Meritorious Service Medal (4), and the Navy Commendation Medal.

Wayne Simpson joins C&A after a distinguished career with the Department of Veterans Affairs with work primarily in the acquisition and procurement operations of the department. He served as the Executive Assistant to VA's Deputy Assistant Secretary for Acquisition and Logistics from October 2008, until his retirement in 2011. In this position, Simmons was the primary staff advisor to the Deputy Assistant Secretary, who served concurrently as VA’s Senior Procurement Executive and Debarring Official. Prior to that assignment, he served as Deputy Director of VA’s Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU) for nearly eight years.

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CASSIDY & ASSOCIATES | Through a consistent commitment to excellence established by Gerald S.J Cassidy in 1975, Cassidy & Associates deploys distinctively designed government relations strategies. As a trusted advisor, the Cassidy team, protects and connects clients around the world while delivering the results of an unrivaled Washington track record.