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From Sweet Shop To Lobbying Shop
by Ted LeventhalBrian Faughnan, the Electronic Industries Alliance's new senior manager for government relations, acquired an eclectic skill set during nearly two years of expatriate life in Mexico City. "I did consulting work for American firms, for the Mexican government, I wrote editorials for the U.S. ambassador, and I even had my own boutique ice cream business," he told National Journal's Technology Daily during his first day of work back in Washington on Monday.
Faughnan, who moved to Mexico in 2002 to join his wife, a U.S. diplomat, said he started the dessert business out of his house after finding the local flavors wanting. He named his line "San Patricio," an ironic nod to the brigade of Irish-American soldiers who switched sides during the Mexican-American war to fight against the United States.
Before heading to Mexico, Faughnan worked for House Rules Committee Chairman David Dreier from 1995 to 2002, most recently as legislative director. He worked from 1993 to 1994 with the "Wednesday Group," the Republican policy research caucus in the House, on immigration issues as well as U.S./Japan trade policy. Faughnan will be responsible for trade issues for EIA, working with other trade coalitions on tariffs, free trade agreements, the movement of jobs overseas and market access.
Meanwhile, Democratic presidential hopeful John Edwards has named a former techie to a senior staff position with his campaign. Tom Ziemba, America Online's former director of business development, has been named Edwards' director of operations in Minnesota. Ziemba was chief of staff for Edwards' New Hampshire primary campaign, and also managed the final weeks of the Virginia campaign. His political background includes a post in the Clinton administration, work with Connecticut Democrat Chris Dodd's 1992 Senate race, and state senate races across the Northeast.
An EPIC Adventure
The Electronic Privacy Information Center has named Lillie Coney senior policy analyst for civil rights, privacy and electronic voting. While at EPIC, Coney also will be coordinator for the National Committee on Voting Integrity, a group of technical experts, lawyers, journalists and citizens urging the adoption of voter-verified ballot systems. Coney has a background in public policy as well as information technology. She was public policy coordinator for the Association of Computing Machinery, and before that worked on energy and telecommunications issues for Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee. Coney also designed Web sites for congressional offices.
David Roberts, a former director of government relations for MP3.com, on Monday was named a vice president with Rhoads/Weber Shandwick Government Relations. Shandwick led MP3.com's policy efforts on copyright law, digital media and online music legislation. Most recently, he handled agriculture, defense and labor issues for Van Scoyoc Associates.
D.C.-based public affairs M&R Strategic Services announced Monday it has hired two new senior vice presidents. Liz Rose, former FCC public affairs director, is joining M&R's media department. Rose was the media director for the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum during its construction and opening. She also worked as a press secretary to Sen. John Rockefeller, D-WVa., and U.S. Rep. Thomas J. Downey, D-N.Y. Her other media clients have included NARAL Pro-Choice America and Consumers Union.
Peter Loge, who joins M&R's campaign department, led anti-death penalty advocacy organizations, including the Justice Project and the Campaign for Criminal Justice Reform. Capitol Hill experience includes serving as chief of staff to Rep. Brad Sherman, D-Calif., and staff positions with Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass., and former U.S. Rep. Sam Coppersmith, D-Ariz., for whom he created one of the first congressional Web sites.
Meanwhile, McLean, Va.-based public relations firm Qorvis Communications announced that seven new technology clients have signed with the firm in recent weeks. The new clients are Base Technologies, Chronicle Solutions, Claraview, Dynamics Research, MAP ROI Systems, Motorola and Pulver.com. Doug Poretz, a founding partner with Qorvis, said the new business is a sign that an economic recovery is underway. "Today, we are hearing almost universally a sense of great optimism," he said in a statement.
Lobbying Shops See Uptick
Lobbying shops also appear to be undergoing a spike in business, according to federal filings published by PoliticalMoneyLine.com.
The Livingston Group, led by former House Speaker Robert Livingston, R-La., registered earlier this month to represent MCI on "telecommunications appropriations." Piper Rudnick filed last week to represent computer services company Groove Networks on "privacy and protection issues," and TiVo on "legislation affecting the digital video recorder industry." TiVo will be represented by veteran Washington attorney Ronald Plesser.
Wiley Rein & Fielding registered to represent both digital TV manufacturer Zenith and the ATSC Forum, the advocacy arm for the U.S. digital television standard-setting association, on "adoption of ATSC in South America." O'Connor & Hannan registered Monday to lobby for Eolas Technologies on "patent and trade issues." The Shawn Coulson law firm registered to represent NuCall on "the authority and potential appropriation for the installation of a new system for the United States Congress."
Earlier this month, Frazee Associates registered on Time Warner's behalf on "copyright/piracy issues, the Internet tax moratorium and bilateral free trade agreements." Jack Ferguson and Associates registered to represent Intersections on "privacy and identity theft protection and credit screening." At the beginning of the month, Little Falls Associates registered to represent Formtek on "issues dealing with homeland security and the protection of U.S. airports, ports, shipping facilities and sensitive buildings." Dykema Gossett registered Monday to represent One Jackson Place on appropriations for R&D, energy efficiency technology and defense and homeland security technologies.
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