Cassidy and Associates News

WASHINGTON, D.C.— Today, Cassidy & Associates, a leading bipartisan, bicameral government relations firm, announced the hiring of Paul Sass as a Senior Vice President. Paul comes to Cassidy after two decades on the Hill, where he most recently served as the Republican Staff Director of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure (T&I) for Sam Graves (R-MO).

“For the last 3 ½ years, since I took over as this Committee’s Republican leader, Paul has skillfully led our staff in many successful efforts to improve the quality and safety of our Nation’s infrastructure.  No one has worked with more commitment and dedication to public service than Paul.  I want to thank him for his service, his guidance, his loyalty, and his friendship over these last two decades.  I wish him and his family the very best as he moves on to the next phase of his already accomplished career,” said Ranking Member Graves.

In addition to his time on T& I, Paul’s accomplished 20-year career on Capitol Hill included service as Legislative Director and Chief of Staff for Congressman Graves. These experiences served him well as he led strategic efforts and negotiations that contributed to the passage of substantial legislation. During his tenure as Republican Staff Director, the T&I Committee passed landmark bills including the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, Water Resources Development Act of 2020 and 2022, Aircraft Certification Reform Act, and Coast Guard Reauthorization, among others. Looking ahead, Paul brings deep policy and political understanding to the complex issues before the Committee, such as the upcoming FAA Reauthorization bill.

Paul is a blue-chip addition to our team. His expertise with the legislative process and issue knowledge will be of great value to our clients. By adding Paul, we further strengthen our infrastructure practice and our ability to address the exciting policy challenges ahead,” said Cassidy CEO Kai Anderson.

Cassidy’s emerging Infrastructure Practice includes former Hill senior staffers from the House T&I and Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committees.

Jen Adler

Jen served as one of T&I Committee Chairman Peter DeFazio’s top advisors for twelve years—including as Communications Director for the Democrats on the Committee from 2015 to 2019. Jen gained significant experience in all issue areas under the jurisdiction of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, including surface transportation, aviation, water infrastructure and maritime transportation, rail and pipelines, and public buildings. Prior to that, she served on the Committee on Natural Resources and worked extensively on issues related to conservation, public lands, and resource development.

Charles Brittingham

Charles served as Majority Senior Water Resources Policy Advisor for the EPW Committee—where he led negotiations over the Water Resources Reform and Development Act of 2014 (WRRDA), the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Act (WIIN) in 2016, as well as the highway reauthorization bills FAST Act and Map-21. He leads Cassidy’s work for a number of the nation’s leading ports.

Zak Baig

Zak served as the Staff Director of Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee from 2013-2015, overseeing and leading Republicans on all issue areas under EPW’s jurisdiction, including highways, environmental policy, water infrastructure, and others.  During that time, Zak helped pass, with bipartisan support, the Water Resources Act of 2014 (WRRDA), highways reauthorization called the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act (FAST Act) and the reauthorization of the Toxic Substances Control Act. From 2015-2016, he was Staff Director of the Senate Small Business Committee.

Andrew Forbes

Andrew served as Legislative Director for Sen. James M. Inhofe.  In that capacity, he was directly engaged in Sen. Inhofe’s work on the Environment and Public Works Committee, where he helped draft and secure numerous water resources and infrastructure priorities. Andrew also served as a senior legislative aide in the House where he managed multiple issue portfolios including appropriations, transportation, defense, energy and judiciary.  He began his Capitol Hill career working for the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, where had the opportunity to work on the 2005 highway bill (SAFETEA-LU) as well as on aviation policy directly under former Aviation Subcommittee Chairman, John Mica (R-FL).

–30–


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

December 5, 2022

Contact: Jen Adler, jadler@cassidy.com

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Cassidy & Associates, a leading bipartisan, bicameral government relations firm, announced the hiring of Virgilio “Lio” Barrera as Senior Vice President. Virgilio comes to Cassidy with over ten years of public policy experience and has worked with Congress, federal agencies, trade associations, and private industry to craft and implement bipartisan legislative and regulatory strategies.

Lio has an extensive resume of accomplishments as Legislative Director for Senator Martin Heinrich (D-NM) and Legislative Assistant to Senator Mark Udall (D-CO), including the Great American Outdoors Act, the Energy Act of 2020, COVID relief packages, and Energy Storage and Transmission ITC legislation. His portfolio of issues included appropriations, transportation and infrastructure, defense, and energy and natural resources.

Most recently, Virgilio served as Director of Government and Public Affairs for Holcim, US, America’s largest building materials manufacturer. In this role, Lio helped shape and implement the company’s extensive climate and sustainability strategy by crafting policies that support industrial decarbonization and Buy Clean programs that support the deployment and adoption of low-carbon building materials.

“Lio has been an integral part of the Holcim US team,” said Michael LeMonds, VP, member of the US executive committee. “Not only has Lio helped lead the company’s transportation, climate and sustainability goals, but he has also provided invaluable counsel that has helped us advance our Accelerating Green Growth strategy. Lio’s work on Buy Clean policies, environmental justice, industrial decarbonization, and community relations at the state and federal level have left a lasting mark on Holcim US and the broader building materials industry. We wish him all the best.”

“Lio understands the Senate and has a track record of legislative achievement. I am so pleased that he has joined Cassidy’s dynamic and successful bipartisan energy and natural resources team. His deep background in energy and sustainability, infrastructure and appropriations, will provide tremendous benefits to our team and help Cassidy delivery for our clients,” said Cassidy CEO Kai Anderson.

 

–30–


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January 26, 2022

Contact: Jen Adler, jadler@cassidy.com

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Cassidy & Associates has hired two experienced and skilled policy experts to its team. Zak Baig, who previously served as the Managing Director of the ClearPath Foundation joined Cassidy as a Senior Vice President. Devin Barrett, a longtime legislative staff member of Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-OK) who handled small business, healthcare, appropriations, aviation, and other issues, has joined as a Vice President.

“Zak and Devin are incredible additions to Cassidy’s roster of experienced and successful lobbyists. Zak’s depth of knowledge and skill handling complex political and legislative issues related to clean energy development and deployment is unmatched. In his previous work, Zak has delivered victories on complicated bipartisan clean energy policy and that experience is invaluable to clients navigating the federal landscape. Devin’s initiative, leadership, and professionalism in dealing with a variety of complex issues, including small business, health care and trade, is a huge asset for clients. We welcome Zak and Devin to the team and look forward to their continued success,” said Cassidy CEO Kai Anderson.

Zak Baig – Senior Vice President

Zak Baig recently joined Cassidy & Associates as a Senior Vice President, where he will use his deep knowledge of policy and his significant political and legislative experience to advance client’s priorities on issues related to clean energy and natural resources.

Zak comes to Cassidy from the ClearPath Foundation, where he was the Managing Director for Government Affairs. During his time at ClearPath he worked with Congress and the administration to pass several pieces of clean energy legislation including the Carbon Capture and Utilization Tax Credit, Nuclear Energy Innovation Capabilities Act, and the Nuclear Energy Innovation and Modernization Act.

Prior to his time at ClearPath, Zak worked in a variety of positions for Senator Vitter for 14 years, spanning Senator Vitter’s time in both the House and the Senate. During that time, Zak served as Staff Director of the Committee on Environment and Public Works under Chairman Vitter and the Staff Director of the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship.

Zak graduated from Syracuse University in 2002 with a major in communications and a minor in political science.

Devin Barrett – Vice President

Devin Barrett joins Cassidy as a Vice President, applying her expertise and understanding of complex legislative policy issues to assist clients in navigating congressional and regulatory landscapes.

Prior to joining Cassidy, Devin worked for Sen. James M. Inhofe (R-Okla.) on issues before the Senate Committee on Small Business and Enterprise, including healthcare, education, labor, pensions, Native American affairs, agriculture, trade, appropriations and budget. Additionally, she handled issues related to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, including telecommunications, fisheries and transportation policy as well as aviation priorities in the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Reauthorization Act of 2018.

Prior to joining Cassidy, Devin also served as a Public Affairs Advisor at Holland and Knight.

Devin graduated from George Washington University with a Master of Professional Studies Legislative Affairs and earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Oklahoma.

 

–30–


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 30, 2019

Contact: Jen Adler, jadler@cassidy.com

WASHINGTON, D.C.– Jed Dearborn, a former Senior Counsel for the U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, has joined Cassidy & Associates as Senior Vice President. At Cassidy, Jed will use his unique blend of legal and policy experience to advance his clients’ priorities in a rapidly changing energy and natural resources policy landscape.

 “Jed is an incredible addition to Cassidy’s dynamic and successful bipartisan energy and natural resources team. His expertise and his grasp of the complex legal and policy issues related to the energy and natural resource space will strengthen our ability to deliver victories for our clients across the federal landscape,” said Cassidy CEO Kai Anderson. 

While he was Senior Counsel for the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, Jed negotiated and advanced major legislation on carbon capture, utilization, and storage, energy storage, and electric grid cybersecurity, much of which was incorporated into the American Energy Innovation Act. 

Prior his work on the Committee, Jed served as Energy Counsel to Sen. John Barrasso, working on key energy issues including energy innovation, electricity, oil and gas, and mining.  While Jed was on staff, Senator Barrasso worked with a bipartisan group to secure an extension and expansion of the tax credit for carbon capture technologies.

“I am thrilled to join Cassidy’s bipartisan energy and natural resources team,” said Jed, “I look forward to using the skills I honed on the Hill and in legal practice to grow Cassidy’s energy innovation capabilities. I can’t wait to get started.”

Jed earned a law degree from the George Washington University Law School and a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Vanderbilt University.

–30–


WASHINGTON, D.C.– Angela Ebiner, a former staffer for senior member of the House Science and House Judiciary committees and Chair of the California Democratic Congressional Delegation, Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), has joined Cassidy & Associates as a Vice President. Most recently, she worked with a broad range of energy, health care, transportation, and technology clients, and actively lobbied Congress on legislation related to public transit, shared mobility, cosmetics reform, and drug pricing for the Arent Fox Government Relations practice group.

“Angela has had an impressive portfolio, handling some of the most complicated issues facing the Federal government. She brings tremendous experience to our excellent bipartisan healthcare, technology, and energy teams at Cassidy & Associates,” said Cassidy CEO Kai Anderson. “Angela is hard-working, politically astute, and knows how to deliver results.”

While she was a Senior Legislative Assistant for Rep. Lofgren, Angela worked successfully with the White House Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ), White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP), and the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee towards the inclusion of bipartisan legislation related to electric vehicle charging infrastructure at federal agencies in the multi-year surface transportation reauthorization bill that was signed into law. Angela also worked closely with local water providers and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on water supply and flood risk management projects, as well as habitat conservation plan implementation.

Most recently, Angela managed drug pricing and surprise billing legislation, Medicaid and Medicare reimbursement policy, and proposals impacting the Affordable Care Act, for hospitals, physicians, and other stakeholders, including life sciences companies in the private sector. She also worked closely with hospital clients to reauthorize and expand autism programs at NIH and CDC. She also advocated for transit funding and transit program priorities for next year’s surface transportation reauthorization bill.

“Cassidy’s reputation as a premier bipartisan firm precedes itself. I am eager to join this team of policy and political professionals and deliver major wins for clients with the growing technology and telecomm practice and a formidable energy and environment group,” said Angela.

A native of California, Angela is a UC Santa Barbara Gaucho, with a master’s degree in Environmental Policy from the London School of Economics.

–30–


Jen Adler, Communications Director for the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and long-time aide to Chairman Peter DeFazio (OR-4), joins Cassidy and Associates as Senior Vice President. 

“Jen has played a key role in successful efforts to tackle major surface transportation, water resource, and aviation issues in the last several years. Her experience, strategic and political acumen, and ability to deliver results is a tremendous asset for Cassidy and Associates and for our clients,” said Cassidy CEO Kai Anderson.

Since 2015, Adler has gained significant experience in all issue areas under the jurisdiction of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, including surface transportation, aviation, water infrastructure and maritime transportation, rail and pipelines, and public buildings. Prior to that, she served on the Committee on Natural Resources and worked extensively on issues related to conservation, public lands, and resource development.

During her time on Capitol Hill, Adler earned a reputation for her effectiveness, responsiveness, and for her ability to turn ideas into action. As a top communications professional, Adler was responsible for taking complex policy and translating it to make a lasting impact in Member offices and in the public debate.  Adler believes these attributes will help her succeed at Cassidy.

“In my previous roles, I consistently navigated tight deadlines and complicated policy and political issues to achieve important legislative goals. I am excited to take the skills I sharpened on the Hill and use them to accomplish our goals at Cassidy. This is an incredibly talented and hard working team, and I look forward to getting started,” said Adler.

Adler has served as one of DeFazio’s top aides for the last twelve years—including as his campaign manager for three campaign cycles. She moved to Washington, D.C. from her beloved State of Oregon. 


Kelley Hudak, Coalitions Director for Republican Whip U.S. Rep. Steve Scalise, joins Cassidy & Associates today as Vice President. Kelley led coalition efforts for the House Republican Leadership on all major legislative priorities since 2015, including Trade Promotion Authority (TPA), the American Health Care Act, and the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.

Whip Scalise praised Kelley’s effectiveness in bringing stakeholders together: “As our Coalitions Director, she led Leadership’s efforts to build outside momentum for some of our biggest legislative successes on trade, health care, taxes, national defense, and budget and appropriations. Our coalition partners trust her and enjoy working with her because she gets things done with a smile on her face.”

Cassidy CEO Kai Anderson said, “Kelley brings energy, accomplishments and knowhow to her new role that will benefit our clients. Her experience and success in building support for a variety of public policy issues will translate well to helping our clients solve problems and seize opportunities. We welcome Kelley to our team as we hit the ground running in the new Congress.”

Whip Scalise added, “Cassidy & Associates is gaining a rising star, and I am confident she will be a great addition to their team.”

Kelley is a two-time hire for Congressman Scalise, first as Director of Coalitions and State Outreach when he chaired the House Republican Study Committee from 2013 to 2015. In that role, she facilitated engagement between Members of Congress and outside groups to develop and advance mutual legislative goals.

Kelley began her career as an Account Associate at CRC Public Relations. She earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from the University of Mary Washington, and hails from Clifton, Virginia.


The Hill newspaper released its annual list of Washington’s best lobbyists today and Cassidy’s leadership team, Kai Anderson, Barry Rhoads and Jordan Bernstein, tops the list for another year. The paper says they are among the best in the business for “their ability to wield influence and deliver results.”

See the list here >>>


The 2018 Midterm Election not only flipped majority leadership in the House of Representatives it also reshuffled the power and influence of state delegations across the capitol. We illustrate the power play in a new infographic using information pulled from our larger post election recap that we’re shared exclusively with clients.

Click here to see the full infographic: Hill Power Play NOV 2018


Colonel (Ret.) Michael Johnson joins Cassidy & Associates today as a Senior Vice President. For the past decade he has helped lead the Pentagon’s congressional legislative and appropriations strategies and engagement, most recently advising the Under Secretary of Defense, Acquisition and Sustainment, as a Congressional Appropriations Liaison.

“Mike will be a real asset to our team by strengthening our national security and federal funding capabilities,” said Cassidy CEO Kai Anderson. “Those who’ve worked with him know him as a problem solver and his in-depth experience and understanding of both the legislative and executive branches will benefit our clients.”

As a Congressional Appropriations Liaison for the Under Secretary of Defense since 2015, Mike engaged the House and Senate Appropriations Committees and was responsible for a policy portfolio that included procurement, military construction; base realignment and closure; energy; environment; defense threat reduction activities; small business programs; industrial base policy and the office of economic adjustment.

Kai added, “Mike has a deep understanding of how Congress’ oversight responsibilities shape decisions inside the Pentagon and that’s the kind of first hand experience that will help us deliver real results for our clients.”

Mike has successfully built and facilitated key relationships between the DoD and congressional appropriations committees through his earlier positions as Executive Officer for the Director of the Army National Guard as well as Deputy Director of Legislative Affairs and Joint Programs Congressional Liaison for the National Guard Bureau.

Mike has 26 years of active duty service in the U.S. Army and retired this year as a Colonel. He earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Finance from Western Kentucky University; Masters of Public Administration from the University of Oklahoma; Master of Strategic Leadership from the United States Army War College and a Certificate in Legislative Studies from Georgetown.


It’s and Cassidy SVP Nicole DiResta participated as a featured speaker for the Women’s Cybersecurity Leadership Symposium on . The annual event is the nation’s largest cybersecurity festival.


Julie Eddy Rokala, chief of staff to Congresswoman Doris Matsui (CA-6), joins Cassidy & Associates today as Senior Vice President. Julie has led Congresswoman Matsui’s office in Washington and district office in Sacramento, CA since 2007 and has more than 20 years of experience in government, politics and the private sector.

“Julie is one of the hardest working, well-liked and most effective people on Capitol Hill,” Cassidy CEO Kai Anderson said. “Through her work in the California Congressional Delegation for the past decade, she has distinguished herself as a leading presence on a diverse suite of issues from energy to tech to healthcare. She is a top-notch addition to our team.”

Julie is widely respected by her colleagues and members of the California Congressional Delegation for getting things done at all levels of government. She has been responsible for a substantial portfolio of work for Congresswoman Matsui, who serves as a senior member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee. Matsui serves on the Health, Communications & Technology, Environment, and Digital Commerce & Consumer Protection subcommittees.

Julie has also gained key insight on how government can encourage clean energy and 21stCentury manufacturing through Congresswoman Matsui’s work as co-chair of the Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition (SEEC).

Kai noted that Julie has demonstrated a first-hand understanding and impressive legislative skill in the priority issues of the California delegation that include renewable energy, smart grid, cyber security and autonomous vehicles.

She began her career in the Clinton Administration, working for Secretary Dan Glickman at the Department of Agriculture and then as special assistant to President Clinton at The White House. Following the Administration, she helped Terry McAuliffe navigate his successful run for Democratic National Committee Chairman and later served as his chief of staff.  Prior to becoming Congresswoman Matsui’s chief of staff, Julie was senior director for government affairs at the Mortgage Bankers Association.

Julie said she’s excited to join Cassidy, “With a stellar team, impressive work and uniquely positioned for growth, this is the time to be at Cassidy.”

Kai added, “Cassidy is investing in the best political and policy advocates In Washington, DC with a focus on professionals who have substantive expertise, leadership ability, geographic and political reach, and deep experience.  Julie is a best in draft selection who will benefit existing and future clients.”

Cassidy completed a management buyout from The Interpublic Group (IPG) in 2017.


We’re excited to be out in Seattle in two weeks for the largest policy event in the U.S. – our fourth year as a proud sponsor of the The Arctic Encounter Symposium (AES) .


Cassidy Chairman Barry Rhoads recently moderated a discussion featuring U.S. Coast Guard Commandant Admiral Paul Zukunft and Ingalls Shipbuilding President Brian Cuccias at the International Homeland Defense & Security Summit in Biloxi, Mississippi. Protection of America’s maritime borders was the topic and included both the challenges and available solutions to current and emerging threats. The summit brought together government and military officials, as well as aerospace and defense leaders, from the U.S. and Israel, India, South Korea, and Taiwan. The event was hosted by the Mississippi Development Authority in partnership with the Mississippi Office of Homeland Security.


We recently read a great article by a friend and former client of Cassidy & Associates Tim Solms who detailed essential elements that should be included in a government sales plan. Tim recognizes from his own experience that government affairs can be a key ally both for the corporate entity as well as the federal customer, adding value and a force multiplier to the business goals.

Here’s an excerpt from Tim’s article…

The rules of engaging with Congress or staffers are complex so having a trusted professional team to guide and mentor you through the engagements is critical. There are many great firms that do GR, I’ve partnered with a few in the past and lately I have had success with Cassidy and Associates. The key differentiator that I’ve found, is building a relationship with a firm that ‘gets government business’ and actively engages within your same business community. If you partner with a firm that is isolated to the world of Politicians and K Street Lobbyists, they can lose the critical view of your market. It is that view which allows them to guide you effectively on The Hill; think of your GR team as another go-to-market resource. Government Relations is not a ‘one & done’ kind of engagement so planning, preparation, and consistency are critical to your effectiveness. One recommendation I have is to share government relations information and activities in advance with the senior leaders within your customers – this may help mitigate potential backlash and can allow your efforts to more directly represent customer needs. When the DoD CIO was able to read and comment on the paper I was about to deliver to the HASC, it helped make sure that we were engaging together in a partnership, align priorities, offer a fully vetted recommendation, and eliminate any potential surprises.


Cassidy Senior Vice President Nicole Di Resta recently participated in the annual meeting and partnership conference of the Hawaii Military Affairs Council (MAC) at the Hawaii State Capitol. Nicole joined Lt. Gen Dan “Fig” Leaf (Ret.) and ADM Tom Fargo (Ret.) as a featured panelist for the breakout session, Gardenside Chat – A View from Washington D.C.

The panel discussed national security, the Pentagon’s budget and cyber security.


Who are Washington’s best lobbyists? The Hill newspaper has the answer this morning as its reporters have compiled the paper’s annual list of the top advocates.

At the top of the lineup… Cassidy CEO Kai Anderson, Chairman Barry Rhoads and COO Jordan Bernstein who the paper says are the among the best in the business “on the front-lines of the capital’s policy battles, laboring to shape the decisions made by Congress and the administration.” See the list here >>>


Cassidy Senior Vice President Nicole DiResta was a featured panelist at the second annual Government Empowered conference in Washington. Nicole joined other policy and industry experts to discuss cyber defense and resiliency.


How does a Stanford graduate with a PhD in geology in hand wind up becoming the CEO of one of Washington’s most notable lobbying firms? Stanford Earth Magazine has the answer as it profiles alumnus Kai Anderson.

Kai told the magazine, “I’m still an educator, I’m still a translator, just around different kinds of issues and with a decidedly different audience than my PhD committee.”

Here’s more…

What non-academic job involves teaching, research, political savvy, scientific rigor, and corporate competence? The rarely illuminated, often underestimated role of a lobbyist.

For Kai Anderson, lobbying was the perfect match for his education in geological sciences and experience working on Capitol Hill. As the founder of the energy and environment practice with the advocacy firm Cassidy & Associates, he works with clients who depend on the scientific perspective he gained as a student with the School of Earth, Energy & Environmental Sciences (Stanford Earth).

Read the full profile here…


Secretary of Defense James Mattis is making what could be the Trump Administration’s first move towards authorization of a 2021 BRAC round with the delivery of an updated Department of Defense Infrastructure Capacity Report. The report, requested in the FY 2016 National Defense Authorization Act, highlights an overall excess capacity of 19% within the Department of Defense, including 29% in the Army, and 28% in the Air Force.

The release of this report follows recent legislative attempts by Senators John McCain (R-AZ) and Jack Reed (D-RI), and Rep. Adam Smith (D-WA) to legislate base closure activities. This Congressional groundswell, along with the pressures of sequestration, and combined with President Trump’s commitment to bring business efficiencies to the federal government may make for the perfect political storm where BRAC is authorized.

Cassidy’s Chairman Barry Rhoads, former Deputy General Counsel of the BRAC Commission, believes many military communities would welcome a BRAC. “For the past decades, the Department of Defense has been making basing decisions using existing authorities and behind closed doors, with little opportunity for communities to be involved. Many of our military community clients welcome the opportunities to tell their stories, promote their military value, and look at opportunities to obtain new missions and efficiencies through the transparent and open BRAC process.”


Congratulations are in order for Cassidy & Associates Senior Vice President Charles Brittingham as he was recently elected to the Board of Directors of the National Waterways Conference.

The National Waterways Conference, established in 1960, is the leading national organization to advocate for funding and common sense policies and laws that recognize the widespread public benefits of our nation’s water resources infrastructure.

As the Administration and Congress consider a long-term plan to address our nation’s aging infrastructure, the National Waterways Conference, in addition to other key organizations, will actively advocate for critical regulatory and policy reforms with key agency and Congressional decision makers to ensure challenges affecting efficient and effective project delivery are addressed.

Charles said he’s honored to take on this role and “excited to work with industry leaders, legal experts, and advocates on the many water resource challenges facing our nation.”


Some good news from the Texas Gulf Coast… Cassidy & Associates client The Port of Corpus Christi Authority along with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers approved a project partnership agreement that will deepen the ship channel from 45 feet deep and 400 feet wide to 54 feet deep and 520 feet wide.

The jointly-funded $326 million project will allow two-way traffic and supertankers with a draft of 50 feet or more to travel through the ship channel. Once complete, the project will allow supertankers capable of passing through the recently expanded Panama Canal to travel into and out of the port fully loaded.

Cassidy Senior Vice President Charles Brittingham, a former senior policy advisor to the U.S. Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, noted, “Great teamwork by the Port and the Corps made this agreement possible and will go a long way in strengthening America’s position in the global marketplace.”

Read more about the project at the San Antonio Business Journal.


Cassidy Vice President Jesse Barba is today’s featured profile of the daily digital newsletter of TheBridge. TheBridge is a network of tech & political professionals connecting the Bay Area & DC and shaping the future course for how politics and tech collaborate.

Jesse shared his secret to a successful advocacy strategy…

“The importance of coalition building cannot be understated. This is a basic skill that is often done wrong or overlooked, yet can be the linchpin of a successful campaign. When organizations or Members of Congress are pulled together, you build expertise, power, resources and credibility. One of the things I am most passionate about is finding where common ground exists and bringing varied stakeholders together to push an issue. Having the ability to listen intently for the common thread running between all parties is critical.”

Read more of the profile here.


Cassidy & Associates CEO Kai Anderson sat down with The Hill newspaper Editor in Chief Bob Cusack at the 2017 AGORA Advocacy Marketplace in Washington to discuss the elements of successful lobbying.


The Hill newspaper today features Cassidy’s newest vice president Chad Sydnor in its Tuesday Profile series that spotlights some of Washington’s top influencers.

Here’s an excerpt…

Chad SydnorSydnor this month was hired as a vice president at Cassidy & Associates, one of the most succesful lobbying firms in the city and a decidedly D.C. establishment.

The company counts among its clients defense and technology powerhouses Palantir, BAE Systems, Airbus and Cerner. The last was just named the creator of the Department of Veterans Affairs’ new electronic health records system, a multibillion-dollar undertaking.

Sydnor, 37, cut his own teeth on defense policy on Capitol Hill, serving most recently as military legislative aide (MLA) to Sen. Richard Burr (R-N.C.). He held similar roles under Sen. John Boozman (R-Ark.) and Rep. Joe Wilson (R-S.C.).

His experience is sure to be helpful in his new lobbying role amid a particularly decisive time on Capitol Hill. Congressional defense hawks are pushing back at a young administration, saying its proposed budget falls woefully short on military and homeland security spending.

Sydnor’s new portfolio largely deals with his bread and butter from Capitol Hill: defense, intelligence, cybersecurity and veterans’ healthcare issues.

He says he has his eye on the top lines for defense spending in the fiscal 2018 National Defense Authorization Act.

“I’m very interested to see — we’ve had two bipartisan budget agreements — what does that look like? Is that going to be in the realm of the politically possible?”

Read the complete Tuesday Profile here.


Cassidy & Associates is returning to its entrepreneurial roots and focus on client service as it announces a management buyout from The Interpublic Group (IPG) today.

Cassidy CEO Kai Anderson shares news of the management buyout from IPG with staff members.

Cassidy CEO Kai Anderson shares news of the management buyout from IPG with staff members.

“We are excited to make this strategic investment in our team and our future success. There is purpose in ownership and this investment positions us to deliver even stronger service to our clients,” Cassidy CEO Kai Anderson said.

Anderson leads the investor team along with Barry Rhoads, chairman, and Jordan Bernstein, chief operating officer.

Anderson noted the firm today has seen steady growth from 2013 when the three took the helm of Cassidy, a seven-percent increase in revenue reported under the Lobbying Disclosure Act (LDA).

“Nearly four years ago we re-doubled our efforts to focus on Cassidy’s core competencies. Our action today puts us on a course to empower our people and focus on our founding charge of providing experienced advocacy to deliver exceptional client service and results,” Anderson said.

Founded in 1975, Cassidy helped build modern advocacy in Washington and was bought by IPG in 2000.

The leadership team of Anderson, Rhoads and Bernstein continue to build the Cassidy team by adding top Hill staff and attracting new clients like Patagonia, DroneShield, Thyssenkrupp, Port of San Antonio and South Coast Air Quality Management District.


 

Chad Sydnor, a senior defense policy aide to U.S. Sen. Richard Burr (R-NC), joins Cassidy & Associates today as a Vice President. Chad has served as Sen. Burr’s military legislative assistant and counsel since 2015.

capitol
“Chad is a first-rate addition to our team who strengthens our defense and infrastructure capabilities,” said Cassidy CEO Kai Anderson.

“His legal background and expertise in defense policy combined with his experience serving in the Army and National Guard will help develop effective strategies and deliver real results for our clients.”
Chad has served on Capitol Hill since 2011, most recently as military legislative aide to Sen. Burr and prior to that in similar roles to Sen. John Boozman (R-AR) and Congressman Joe Wilson (R-SC).

He holds the rank of Captain in the U.S. Army, earlier serving as a battalion intelligence officer and company commander and continues to serve as a reservist as an aviation officer rated in the AH-6
4 Apache helicopter.

Prior to his active duty service in the Army, Chad was an Assistant District Attorney in Raleigh, NC.

Chad is a graduate of North Carolina State University earning a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and holds a Juris Doctor from Campbell University. He remains a member in good standing of the North Carolina State Bar.

Today’s news signals continued growth of the bipartisan Cassidy team that added Charles Brittingham, Majority Senior Water Resources Policy Advisor for the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, in January; Ryan Mulvenon, Energy and Environmental Policy Advisor to Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid, in December and earlier other top Hill staff including Russ Thomasson, fmr COS to Senate Majority Whip John Cornyn; Amelia Jenkins, fmr Deputy Staff Director and Senior Policy Advisor to the House Natural Resources Committee; and Kaleb Froehlich, fmr Senior Counsel to the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee.


Fort JacksonThe Greater Columbia Chamber of Commerce, a Cassidy client for more than a decade, is marking a special partnership with the U.S. Army as Fort Jackson kicks off its month long centennial celebration.

The partnership started in 1917 when the Chamber raised $50,000 to purchase the Hampton Estate, contributing one thousand acres to what the federal government had already purchased for the fort. Last week, the five millionth soldier graduated basic training in its Centennial Battalion.

Cassidy’s BRAC practice has represented the Chamber since 2004, assisting it in building and strengthening key partnerships on the federal, state and local levels that support Fort Jackson and its community. As a part of this representation during the 2005 BRAC round, Fort Jackson gained over 600 new jobs and significant new missions. Columbia’s mayor at the time Bob Coble called the 2005 BRAC campaign, “The largest economic development win in the history of the Midlands.”


CQ/Roll Call recently surveyed some of the best in government relations, nonprofit, advocacy, public policy about their best advocacy planning, strategy, skills and training tips.

Cassidy Vice President Jesse Barba was among those surveyed and shared his tip on what makes a winning strategy… “Constant follow-up and maintained touch points. Congressional staffers typically have five-to-six meetings per day, and are constantly strategizing their boss’ priorities. One-off meetings are more likely to be forgotten or dismissed as priorities without follow-up and updates.”

Read more of the survey at CQ/Roll Call.


The Pew Charitable TrustsPew panel recently hosted mayors and federal policy experts in Washington to discuss strategies to safeguard the nation’s roads, bridges, buildings, and facilities from the impacts of flooding.

Cassidy’s Senior Vice President Charles Brittingham was a featured panelist at the event and spoke about how states and municipalities must work across sectors and political aisles when it comes to resilient infrastructure.

Read more about the event at Pew…


Loading...