THE HILL THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2015 17

Top LobbyIsTs2015of

top lobbyists18 THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2015 THE HILL

T here are well over 10,000 lob-byists in Washington, not to mention countless labor and

business leaders, public relations specialists and advocates of all stripes vying to influence Congress and the federal government.

But when it comes to shaping fed-eral policy, some have set themselves apart. These are the lobbyists who’ve mastered the art of working Capitol Hill’s hallways, whose Rolodexes are stocked with names of power brokers and who lead groups that simply can-not be ignored.

These are The Hill’s Top Lobbyists.The 2015 list includes top dogs at

some of Washington’s leading trade groups, and battle-tested advocates for public interest groups and grass-roots organizations.

This installment features K Street’s top hired guns, the pros whom groups around the country enlist when they need to get something done.

It also includes corporate lobbyists who’ve helped firms make their mark on legislation before Congress or reg-ulations moving through the federal rulemaking pipeline.

While everyone on this list has prov-en to be effective in advocating at the federal level, not all are formally registered as lobbyists. Rather, The Hill’s Top Lobbyists are a broad array of professionals who work day in and day out to shape the agenda in Wash-ington.Yesterday: Top lobbyists from asso-

ciations and grassroots groups.Today: Top corporate lobbyists and

hired guns.

corporaTEcory alexander and peter Jacoby, UnitedHealth Group Inc. The former Democratic staffers are helping UnitedHealth navigate chang-ing times. As the company is leav-ing the insurance trade group AHIP, its four largest rivals are involved in mergers. Bryan anderson, Southern Co.Anderson fights for one of the nation’s largest electric utilities as the company works to expand nuclear power in the U.S. and around the globe. Sid ashworth, Northrop Grumman Corp. Ashworth and the defense titan has just won a huge contract to build the Air Force’s new Long Range Strike Bomber. Bill Barloon, Sprint Nextel Corp. Sprint has decided to sit out the next airwaves auction but is continuing to lobby on everything from cybersecu-rity and spectrum to the open Internet and wireless build-out of the Washing-ton, D.C., transit system.

Wayne Berman, Blackstone Group LP Berman has a firm grasp on policy and politics — a well-regarded shoe-leather lobbyist, he also remains connected with GOP donors. abigail Blunt, Kraft Foods Group Inc. Blunt maintains Kraft’s strong ties in Washington as the company re-duces its products’ calorie and sodium content and has worked to influence the government’s rewrite of federal di-etary guidelines. Stephen Brown, Tesoro Corp.Brown and Tesoro, a leading oil refiner, have waged battles over Environmen-tal Protection Agency biofuel regu-lations and backed lifting the ban on crude oil exports — something many other refiners have opposed. William carty, Twitter Inc. The social media giant’s head of pub-lic policy is managing the company’s growing influence in Washington. pablo chavez, LinkedIn Corp. Chavez leads a team lobbying for the business contact network on issues ranging from recruiting and veteran employment to immigration and sur-veillance reform.

James cicconi and Tim McKone, AT&T Inc. AT&T recently convinced regulators to approve its merger with DirecTV, but the company has a number of other is-sues on its plate with the Federal Com-munications Commission. Maria cino, Hewlett-Packard Co. Cino has been busy as Hewlett-Packard recently spun off its software business from its hardware business. peter cleveland, Intel Corp.Cleveland has been at Intel for half a decade as the company advocates on trade, patent reform and the emerging “Internet of Things.” Kenneth cole, Pfizer Inc. The veteran lobbyist is helping the company contend with increased scru-tiny of skyrocketing drug prices. Nancy Dorn, General Electric Co.Dorn, a former George W. Bush adminis-tration budget official, manages the cor-porate giant’s policy initiatives, including a push this year to conclude the sweeping Trans-Pacific Partnership and get the Export-Import Bank reauthorized. Mark Esper, Raytheon Co.Esper — a former Pentagon official, Senate staffer and Army colonel — lob-bies to influence major legislation such as the annual defense policy bill. Theresa Fariello, Exxon Mobil Corp.A longtime energy industry lobbyist, Fariello has steered Exxon through con-gressional debates over energy policy, including ending the ban on crude oil ex-ports, a proposal that has seen its pros-pects brighten considerably this year. Bob Filippone, Merck & Co. Inc. Filippone and has team have been pushing for intellectual property rights, an increase in government sup-port for research and regulatory re-form. Tucker Foote, MasterCard Inc. Data security and market access issues loom large in Foote’s advocacy portfo-lio this year.

Nate Gatten, JPMorgan Chase & Co. As data breaches threaten the industry, Gatten and his team are working with members to help protect consumer data.

Matt Gelman and Fred Humphries, Microsoft Corp.Microsoft’s expansive lobbying opera-tion deals with issues ranging from fed-eral procurement policy to cybersecurity. richard Glick, Iberdrola Renewables LLC Glick has helped push for the renewal of wind energy production tax credits in Congress, an especially important policy for the second-largest wind pow-er company in the U.S. robert Helm, General Dynamics Corp. Helm has helped expand General Dy-namics’ portfolio as the company posi-tions itself to capitalize in growth areas including cybersecurity and drones. Jessica Herrera-Flanigan, Univision Communications Inc. Coming from a K Street firm to Univi-sion earlier this year, Herrera-Flanigan is bringing some serious firepower to the company.

Guy Hicks, Airbus GroupHicks is in the trenches as Airbus com-petes with Boeing for commercial and defense aircraft market share.

Edward Hill, Bank of America Corp. For more than a decade, Hill has served as a strong voice for the banking giant during a steady succession of financial and regulatory battles. Joel Kaplan, Facebook Inc. As vice president of global policy, Kaplan helps Facebook deal with privacy and policy concerns abroad. Timothy Keating, Boeing Co. Keating has helped lead the charge for re-authorization of the Export-Import Bank. Kent Knutson, The Home Depot Inc.Knutson has put Home Depot on the map on issues such as corporate tax re-form and ceiling fan regulations at the Energy Department.

William Lane, Caterpillar Inc. Lane has been a central player in the push to get the Trans-Pacific Partner-ship trade deal across the finish line.

Melissa Lavinson, PG&E Corp. Lavinson, who has lobbied for Pacific Gas & Electric since 1997, was also named the company’s chief sustain-ability officer in August. PG&E CEO Anthony Earley has called her “an ar-ticulate and effective advocate for all aspects of sustainability.”

Drew Maloney, Hess Corp. Maloney leads the oil and gas com-pany’s Washington policy initiatives, including an intensified push to lift de-cades-old restrictions on exporting oil. Melissa Maxfield, Comcast Corp. Maxfield leads a potent lobbying opera-tion that is taking on a wide portfolio in Washington, even though U.S. regulators dashed Comcast’s hopes of merging with Time Warner Cable earlier this year.

Susan Molinari, Google Inc. Molinari oversees government affairs at the company as it adjusts to being part of parent company Alphabet Inc., follow-ing a major corporate restructuring.

Ziad ojakli, Ford Motor Co. Ojakli’s tight-knit lobbying team can turn on a dime for the Fortune 500 com-pany, which is looking to combat curren-cy manipulation in trade deals, includ-ing the Trans-Pacific Partnership.

Michael paese, The Goldman Sachs Group Inc. Paese, a former Capitol Hill staffer and industry association lobbyist, brings experience and expertise to one of the most recognizable names in finance. Dean pappas, Nationwide Mutual Insurance Co.Pappas has long been involved in the implementation of insurance regula-tions, patent reform efforts, and tax treatment for life insurance and retire-ment plans.

robert rangel, Lockheed Martin Corp.Rangel runs the strategy behind the defense giant’s Washington oper-ation, including its massive PAC. Joseph Seidel, Credit Suisse Group AG Seidel heads the U.S. lobbying arm of the leading Swiss bank, which is active on tax policy and implementation of the Dodd-Frank financial overhaul.

Matthew Stanton, Beam Suntory Inc.Stanton has promoted alcohol education — with the help of celebrities like Mila Ku-nis and Justin Timberlake — in his role at the liquor marketer, recently crowned the world’s third-largest distiller.

Sarah Thorn, Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. Thorn looks to foster Wal-Mart’s global growth through trade policies while boosting the company’s profile through its women’s economic empowerment initiative and other programs.

GREG NASH

Chris Giblin and Moses Mercado, Ogilvy Government Relations No matter the policy issue, Giblin and Mercado ensure that clients’ problems are squashed before they begin. Nick Giordano, Washington Council Ernst & Young The possibility of moving the ball on tax reform is always on the horizon, and Giordano remains ready to pounce on any opportunity for his clients.

Rich Gold, Kathryn Lehman and Gerry Sikorski, Holland & Knight The firm was behind a successful push for legislation meant to speed approv-al of sunscreen products widely used overseas but still unavailable in the U.S. market. J. Steven Hart and Susan Hirschmann, Williams & Jensen PLLCHart and Hirschmann have helped keep Williams & Jensen among K Street’s top 10 shops by revenue.

top lobbyistsTHE HILL THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2015 19

Gregg Ward, United Technologies Corp. Ward leads lobbying for the company in the U.S., as well as policy operations in China, Russia and the European Union. The shop has been busy with defense procurement and energy effi-ciency policies. Jonathan Weisgall, Berkshire Hathaway Energy Co.Weisgall, the lobby chief for Warren Buffett’s multinational energy con-glomerate, asked lawmakers to re-form a slate of public utility require-ments in May, a measure they incor-porated into broader energy bills later in the summer.

Josh Ackil and Matt Tanielian, Franklin Square Group This tech-centric firm is in the middle of major policy battles around patent reform, cybersecurity and emerging technologies. Andy Barbour, Smith-Free Group Barbour helps drive financial services advocacy for this multifaceted firm. Haley Barbour, Lanny Griffith and Loren Monroe, BGR Group In addition to its growing lobbying business, BGR Group also holds a stake in both the Democratic and Republican presidential races. Doyle Bartlett, Eris Group Bartlett, a former lobbyist for Freddie Mac, maintains a stable of mainly finan-cial clients grappling with tax reform hopes and cybersecurity concerns. Hunter Bates and Geoff Davis, Republic Consulting LLC This dynamic GOP duo — a former aide to Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and former Kentucky congressman — has built a successful shop that caters to clients in many different sectors, but its heart lies in Bluegrass State causes. Kirk Blalock, Fierce Government RelationsBlalock helps run the all-Republican firm as it looks to post its highest lobby-ing revenue totals ever. Dan Boston, Health Policy Source Inc. Boston is keeping a close eye on Medi-care reform and tweaks to the Afford-able Care Act. Chuck Brain, Capitol Hill Strategies LLC This K Street veteran continues to run a successful business with a focus on companies and groups in healthcare and the financial services space. Robert Chamberlin, McBee Strategic ConsultingMcBee is holding its own after a major shake-up that included the departure of the K Street shop’s founder and its acquisition by a law firm.

Justin Daly, Daly Consulting Group Daly runs a solo shop that caters to some of the biggest clients in the finan-cial services industry.

Linda Daschle, LHD & Associates Inc. Leaning on her experience as a for-mer acting administrator of the Fed-eral Aviation Administration, Daschle helps the likes of American Airlines and Lockheed Martin achieve their ad-vocacy goals. Licy Do Canto, The Do Canto Group Among his other clients, Do Canto counsels AARP, one of the largest and most powerful interest groups. Ken Duberstein and David Schiappa, The Duberstein Group Inc. This bipartisan firm counts some of the largest companies in the world among its clients. Steve Elmendorf and Jimmy Ryan, Subject Matter The Democratic lobby shop is quickly growing and recently rebranded itself after purchasing a public affairs firm. Victor Fazio, Joel Jankowsky, Scott Parven and Bill Paxon, Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP K Street’s No. 1 firm by revenue contin-ues to grow its staff in addition to its cli-ent roster. Holly Fechner and Bill Wichterman, Covington & Burling LLP Fechner, a former aide to the late Sen. Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.), and Wich-terman, a former special assistant to former President George W. Bush, ser-vice a slew of blue-chip clients. Mitchell Feuer and John Anderson, Rich Feuer Anderson Anderson has capitalized on the secu-rities industry bona fides he brings to the firm co-founded by Feuer, a former Senate Banking Committee aide. Elizabeth Frazee and Sharon Ringley, TwinLogic Strategies The firm that Frazee and Ringley built is on pace to surpass last year’s record high, with Internet, tech and telecomm clients such as Sprint, Yahoo, Pandora, DirecTV and Lyft signed up for their services. Sam Geduldig and Steve Clark, CGCN Group One of the last all-Republican shops on K Street, this firm keeps close ties to GOP leadership in the House and Senate.

HIRED GuNS

Saturday, November 7, 2015 • The National Mall8:30 am Tents & Festivities • 1 or 3 mile walk steps off at 10:00 am

www.GreaterWashingtonHeartWalk.org

Event Champion Sponsors:

Sponsored nationally by: Local Signature Sponsor:

Register or donate today at www.GreaterWashingtonHeartWalk.orgFor more information please contact us at 703.248.1715 or gwrheartwalk@heart.org

#DCHeartWalk is Why!

Mac CurtisPresident and CEO

Vencore, Inc.

Linda GoodenChief Executive Officer

Gooden, Inc.

Sondra BarbourExecutive Vice President

Lockheed Martin

Heart ManAmerican Heart

Association

Greater Washington Heart Walk

GREG NASH

Ralph Hellmann and David Lugar, Lugar Hellmann Group LLC The high-powered firm saw its high-est revenue ever last year and now is on pace to surpass that total in 2015. Michael Herson, American Defense International Inc. The largest defense contractors put their trust in Herson to fight for them in Washington. Mike House, Hogan LovellsWith House at the helm, Hogan has proven able to navigate the constantly changing congressional landscape. Joel Johnson, The Glover Park Group Armed with an effective public rela-tions operation, Johnson and the firm continue to score wins in a stagnant legislative environment. Mark Kadesh, Kadesh & Associates LLC Kadesh, a former aide to Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), is still fighting for Golden State interests, including the state agency overseeing the construc-tion of a high-speed rail project Matt Keelen, The Keelen Group LLC A former Republican campaign operative, Keelen knows how to bring various inter-ests together in order to achieve results. Ken Kies, Federal Policy Group Clients ranging from Caterpillar to Starwood Hotels & Resorts depend on Kies for his tax reform expertise. Lisa Kountoupes, Kountoupes | Denham When it comes to working the halls of Congress and executive agencies, Kountoupes is one of the best. Blanche Lincoln, Lincoln Policy Group The former Democratic senator has built a thriving practice to help build bridges between corporations and Congress. Bob Livingston, The Livingston Group LLCAlthough the firm tackles many issues for its diverse client roster, working to influence the federal budget process reigns supreme. Trent Lott, John Breaux, Eugenia Pierson and Kevin O’Neill, Squire Patton Boggs This longtime heavyweight is attract-ing some high-level lobbying talent as it eyes resurgence after a 2014 shake-up. Sander Lurie, Dentons Lurie, a former chief of staff for two senators, helps run the policy shop at the largest law firm in the world.

Bruce Mehlman and David Castagnetti, Mehlman Castagnetti Rosen & Thomas A diverse set of clients including Wal-Mart, Hewlett-Packard, America’s Health Insurance Plans and the Edison Electric Institute rely on guidance from the bipar-tisan team Mehlman and Castagnetti have assembled. Al Mottur, Marc Lampkin and Manuel Ortiz, Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck This high-energy trio has helped lift their firm into the top three on K Street. Larry O’Brien, The OB-C Group LLCO’Brien, a well-known Democratic do-nor, also helps advocate for clients includ-ing the Everytown for Gun Safety Ac-tion Fund, SeaWorld, Kohl’s department stores and Honeywell.

Tom O’Donnell, Gephardt GroupGovernment AffairsIn addition to working with policymak-ers, O’Donnell also helps his clients connect with union leaders. John O’Neill and Manny Rossman, Harbinger Strategies LLCFormed earlier this year, Harbinger has exploded into a juggernaut, with clients including Facebook, Diageo, Viacom, Goldman Sachs and Pew Charitable Trusts. R. Scott Pastrick and Charlie Black, Prime Policy Group The two men are veterans of the Demo-cratic and Republican scenes, respec-tively, and could play a role in the 2016 presidential election. Jeff Peck, Peck Madigan Jones Peck is on the cutting edge of financial services issues for clients across the economic spectrum. Steven Phillips, DLA Piper Phillips stays on top of developments on tax reform and in the healthcare space for top-shelf clients such as Booz Allen Hamilton and Oracle. Jim Pitts and Chris Cox, Navigators Global These two Republican operatives bring to the table crucial experience both on Capi-tol Hill and within the executive branch. Heather Podesta, Heather Podesta + Partners Podesta has built a thriving business by embracing and advocating for emerg-ing companies and technologies. Tony Podesta, Podesta Group Though fiercely bipartisan, the firm is still known best for its charismatic Democratic founder.

Thomas Quinn and Robert Smith, Venable LLP Together, Quinn, a legend in Democratic circles, and Smith, the GOP leader of the firm’s lobby shop, seamlessly manage the global law firm’s roster of clients. Robert Raben, The Raben Group In addition to major corporate clients, Raben and his firm wield influence for advocacy groups and up-and-coming businesses.

John Raffaelli, Jim McCrery and Shannon Finley, Capitol Counsel LLC The powerhouse has continued its growth, adding to its ranks of highly skilled advocates. Barry Rhoads and Kai Anderson, Cassidy & Associates The firm, which just celebrated its 40th anniversary, is thriving under the lead-ership of Anderson and Rhoads. Emanuel Rouvelas, Bart Gordon and Jim Walsh, K&L Gates One of the few lobby shops actually lo-cated on K Street, K&L Gates has estab-lished itself as a go-to firm for fixes on regulatory, tax and budget issues. Tom Scully and Mark Rayder, Alston & Bird LLPRayder and Scully, a former adminis-trator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, are experienced hands in health advocacy. Scott Segal, Bracewell & Giuliani Segal knows energy and environment issues inside and out.

Rhod Shaw, Alpine Group Shaw, a Democrat who served as then-Rep. Sherrod Brown’s (D-Ohio) chief of staff, can reach across the aisle on tech and energy issues. Tom Sheridan, The Sheridan Group Sheridan mounts a full-court press on advocacy for some of the largest social issue campaigns. Kraig Siracuse, Park Strategies LLC As a Senate Appropriations Committee alum, Siracuse knows how to help cli-ents get what they need from the budget. Mike Smith and Jim Richards, Cornerstone Government Affairs The firm covers a wide array of topics for clients, though its knowledge of the appropriations process is unparalleled. Tracy Spicer, Avenue Solutions Health policy is hot, and business at Avenue Solutions is even hotter. Alexander Sternhell, Sternhell Group From government-sponsored enter-prises to cryptocurrency, the former Senate Banking Committee staffer has it covered.

Linda Tarplin, Tarplin, Downs & Young LLC A longtime lobbyist, Tarplin also brings experience from the Department of Health and Human Services and the White House to help score victories for her healthcare clients.

Carl Thorsen and Alec French, Thorsen French Advocacy The bipartisan shop has an eclectic cli-ent list that always keeps them busy, no matter what the legislative landscape looks like. David Urban and Manus Cooney, American Continental Group Those embroiled in an intellectual property battle need look no further than Urban and his crew. Robert Van Heuvelen, VH Strategies Energy, taxes and trade were atop the agenda this year for Van Heuvelen, a former Senate aide and Environmental Protection Agency official. Stu Van Scoyoc, Van Scoyoc Associates A well-established name on K Street, Van Scoyoc is a major player in the bud-get and appropriations game. Stewart Verdery, Monument Policy Group The firm is in the mix across several in-dustry sectors but really shines in the tech space. Jack Victory and Rick Shelby, Capitol Hill Consulting Group The firm’s energy clients are in good hands with lobbyists like Victory and Shelby on their side. Vin Weber, Mercury The former Republican congressman from Minnesota stays close with his former colleagues, including Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wis.), likely the next Speaker of the House. Jonathan Yarowsky, Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr LLP Yarowsky is a versatile player in the in-fluence game who knows how to put his clients on the agenda.

top lobbyists20 THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2015 THE HILL

GREG NASH