Bryce Harlow Foundation

This month’s featured Bryce Harlow Foundation Fellow, Liz Murphy, brings a unique mix of communications expertise and policy experience to her work at The Sheridan Group. However, it’s her professionalism and grace that help her navigate the complex challenges of her role.

Liz joined The Sheridan Group as a Senior Associate in February 2014 after several years as a senior communications staffer on Capitol Hill. In her current role, she helps advance the legislative priorities of the firm’s client base, which consists primarily of organizations with socially driven missions.

To further develop her policy knowledge, Liz is currently pursuing a Master’s in Public Policy at Georgetown University. “My classes, especially those focusing on quantitative analysis, are incredibly helpful in my career transition  to the Sheridan Group,” she said.

Since becoming a fellow, Liz has found that the Foundation’s supportive network has also enriched her professional life. “I’ve had the opportunity to connect with people who are in this industry for the right reasons,” she said. “Everyone is passionate about what they do and how they represent their organization’s interests to Congress.”

We are proud to offer a network where exceptional young government relations professionals like Liz may learn, grow, and connect.

As a Senior Advisor in the U.S. Senate, Bryce Harlow Foundation Fellow Skiffington Holderness advances public policy across a broad range of areas with careful consideration. “I have an ethical responsibility to really learn and understand the issues, know who will be impacted and exactly how,” he said.

It’s a responsibility that requires a great deal of work. “That’s why lobbyists are so key to lawmaking. No one can be an expert on every issue,” Skiffington said. “They help us understand the issues and contribute to our decision-making process in an extremely valuable way.”

As Skiffington’s career goals have evolved over the years, he discovered how to balance his passion for politics with his accounting background, and is working towards a Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) at Georgetown University to help him be a better advocate for sound business policies in his work.

We commend Skiffington, his considerate approach to crafting public policy, and commitment to making ethics a priority in his work.

The month’s featured Fellow Caroline Goncalves Jones makes fairness and integrity a priority in her work as she helps lawmakers navigate complex policy issues. “There are two sides to every story – no matter what,” said Caroline. “In order for me to do my job well, I have to share more than just one perspective on an issue.”

After graduating from American University Caroline joined the Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids as a Program Associate. As she worked to help pass comprehensive tobacco control legislation, she realized she wanted to build a career shaping health policy.

Caroline currently serves as Associate Director of Federal Advocacy at the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). In this role, she represents over 173,000 members in the fields of speech-language pathology and audiology, and leads the organization’s grassroots advocacy efforts. She is also pursuing a Master’s in Public Policy from American University.

Caroline is a living testament to the Bryce Harlow Foundation “way” and we are proud to support her professional development.

According to Bryce Harlow Foundation Fellow Ashley Fingarson, communication and engagement are the keys to success as a professional advocate. As Director of Legislative Affairs for alliantgroup, Ashley advocates on behalf of small and medium sized businesses, and her passion for clients’ issues helps her be engaged and effective. “I really enjoy interfacing with clients, hearing their story and learning why they’re in business,” she said.

Integrity, preparedness, and education are also key to her work. “It’s essential to be prepared for meetings, be willing to serve as a resource, follow up and really stand by your word,” Ashley said.

Ashley is currently in her second year of law school at The Catholic University of America. Through the Bryce Harlow Foundation Fellowship, Ashley has been able to develop valuable connections with like-minded people who share similar goals. “It’s great to be a part of a network of people who understand what it’s like to balance a full-time job with graduate study,” she said. “There’s a sense of camaraderie.”

We applaud Ashley’s passion, willingness to foster productive discussion and her commitment to professionalism.

At our board meeting on January 14, 2015 we welcomed 5 new members for three-year terms: Edward An of Google, Meredith Attwell Baker of CTIA-The Wireless Association, Kirk Blalock of Fierce Government Relations, Arshi Siddiqui of Akin Gump, and Dawn Sweeney of the National Restaurant Association. We are also very pleased to welcome Larry Harlow of Harlow Government Relations, LLC as an Advisory Governor.

We are delighted to have these leaders join us and are looking forward working with them to further our mission of promoting the highest professional and ethical standards in lobbying.

Edward An serves as a policy manager at Google, representing the company before Congress. Prior to joining Google, Ed was with Time Warner and, subsequently, Time Warner Cable for more than 12 years, as vice president of public policy and government affairs. He earlier served as legislative assistant to Senator Russ Feingold and a senior associate at the Strategic Alliances Group. Ed began his career with a number of public interest organizations, including Handgun Control.

Meredith Attwell Baker joined CTIA-The Wireless Association as its President and CEO in June 2014. Prior to joining CTIA, Meredith served as the senior vice president of government affairs at Comcast NBCUniversal. Meredith also served as a commissioner to the Federal Communications Commission until June 2011. Previously, Meredith served in the Bush Administration as the acting administrator of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration.

Kirk Blalock is partner at Fierce Government Relations, a government relations firm. Previously, Kirk served as special assistant to President George W. Bush and deputy director, White House Office of Public Liaison. Prior to his Presidential appointment, Kirk served in several key positions, including: director of external affairs, Philip Morris Companies Inc.; special assistant to Chairman Haley Barbour, Republican National Committee; and special assistant to U.S. Secretary of Education Lamar Alexander.

Larry Harlow is the president and founder of Harlow Government Relations, LLC and has extensive public and private sector government relations experience. Prior to opening Harlow Government Relations, LLC, Larry served as an executive at Timmons and Company. In President George H.W. Bush’s Administration, he served as assistant secretary of the treasury for legislative affairs.

Arshi Siddiqui is partner at the international law firm Akin Gump. Building on more than fifteen years of policy, political and private-sector experience, Arshi came to Akin Gump after serving as senior policy advisor and counsel to former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA). Prior to her tenure in the Speaker’s office, Arshi represented corporate clients before Congress and the executive branch. She began her career on Capitol Hill, first as a policy aide to Rep. Eva Clayton, and subsequently as Ways and Means counsel to Rep. Xavier Becerra.

Dawn Sweeney is the president and CEO of the National Restaurant Association. Before joining the National Restaurant Association in 2007, Dawn was president and CEO of AARP Services, the wholly owned taxable subsidiary of AARP. Her 25+ years of marketing, advocacy and policy experience also include leadership positions at the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association and the International Dairy Foods Association. Dawn has been named one of the perennial top association CEOs in the country for the past several years.

“There’s much to lobbying,” said Bryce Harlow Foundation Fellow Logan Ferree. “Although I may not always agree with a lobbying group’s particular viewpoint, I have an appreciation and a genuine respect for the work that they do educating lawmakers on all sides of an issue.” He also knows that above all else, being honest, truthful and transparent is paramount to success in the profession. Logan reached this perspective after spending time on the campaign trail and working on legislative issues on the Hill. “Policy decisions continue to be made even outside of the voting booth, Logan said. “Government advocacy and affairs really provides that voice outside of the elections.”

Logan currently works as the Senior Legislative Assistant to Congressman Jared Huffman of California, handling work on both the Natural Resources Committee and the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. His legislative portfolio includes water resources, health care, transportation, agriculture, energy, entrepreneurship and innovation. His legislative interests contributed to his decision to pursue a Master’s in Transportation Policy, Operations, and Logistics from George Mason University.

As a Fellow, Logan has the opportunity to connect with other public affairs professionals and gain an even deeper understanding of the lobbying profession, including learning about the transition away from the Hill to work in the private sector.

We are proud to support Logan as he works to foster productive discussion with the highest level of integrity.

Lobbyists are crucial to lawmakers and their staff, and Bryce Harlow Foundation fellow Terry Camp has learned this in both his work and his graduate studies. During an internship on the Hill, Terry’s interest in public policy transformed into a true passion when he witnessed the passage of the Affordable Care Act. Today, Terry lives out his calling as a Legislative Staff Assistant in the U.S. Senate Committee on the Judiciary. He is also working towards a Masters in Public Policy in American Government and Politics at George Mason University.

During his time on the Hill, Terry has learned first hand the critical role of lobbyists. “We depend heavily on information provided by outside groups. So having good advocates is invaluable,” he said. He also has a keen understanding of what makes a good lobbyist. “Giving the full picture is essential to lobbying. You have to tell all sides of the story to be successful,” he said.

Terry looks forward to learning more about professional advocacy from the Bryce Harlow Fellowship program. “I want see what goes into the preparation, how lobbyists interact with clients and how they form strategies and plans,” he said. He is also learning more about lobbying in his studies at GMU. “It’s neat to learn about a concept at school or talk about a prominent advocacy group then go to work and meet with them first hand,” he said.

We are proud to support Terry as he continues to hone his policy-making skills and learns more about the world of lawmaking.

During this week in 1791, the Bill of Rights was ratified.  That’s 223 years of free speech, freedom of religion, freedom of assembly, and freedom to petition the government for redress of grievances– in modern parlance, the right to lobby.

As we reflect on this important anniversary, we should recognize how central the right to lobby was to the Founding Fathers and why it continues to be essential to every American and to society as a whole.

Government touches every aspect of our lives, and all Americans have lobbyists even if they do not recognize it.  If you eat food, you have a lobbyist.  If you have clothes and shoes, you have a lobbyist.  If you drive a car, you have a lobbyist.  If your children attend school, you have a lobbyist.  If you see a doctor or go to a hospital, you have a lobbyist.

Lobbyists make sure taxpayers’, parents’, consumers’, workers’, and citizens’ voices are heard, and they act as a critical check on a bureaucracy that is not always accountable.  Speaker of the House John Boehner once said that lobbyists are the only way Members of Congress know what is in a bill.  This is even more important at times like this past weekend when lawmakers voted on a 1,600 page bill to fund the government that was introduced less than 48 hours before the vote.  Lobbyists not only tell Congress what is in the bill, but also they explain the consequences, most of which are not understood or anticipated.  Government simply cannot function without lobbyists and the vital information they provide.

Let’s celebrate 223 years of the right to petition our government and salute the Bryce Harlow Foundation for educating the next generation of lobbyists who will take up this responsibility.

WASHINGTON, D.C., December 15, 2014 – The Bryce Harlow Foundation, the national capital’s premier organization supporting the professions of lobbying and advocacy, today announced the recipients of its 2015 awards. The awards will be given during the foundation’s Annual Awards Dinner to be held on Tuesday, April 21, 2015 at the Capital Hilton.

Congressman Fred Upton (R-Mich.) was selected to receive the prestigious Bryce Harlow Award, which honors an elected official whose career is built on championing the principles of integrity, dedication and professionalism — echoing the work and life of the late Bryce Harlow. Serving southwest Michigan since 1987, Upton chairs the House Energy & Commerce Committee. Prior to his election to Congress, Upton worked for President Ronald Reagan in the Office of Management and Budget. “We are delighted to present this award to Fred, who exemplifies best practices in the development of public policy – through open discussion, honest exchange and good decision-making on behalf of the American people,” said Leigh Ann Pusey, chairman of the Bryce Harlow Foundation.

Lobbyist Steve Elmendorf will receive the Bryce Harlow Business Government Relations Award, which is given annually to a leader in the advocacy community in recognition of an exemplary career in the profession. Elmendorf is a principle at Elmendorf | Ryan, a leading lobbying firm in Washington, D.C. Prior to starting his firm in 2006, Elmendorf served as a senior advisor to House Democratic Leader Dick Gephardt (D-Mo.) for 12 years and held senior positions in the presidential campaigns of Gephardt, Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.) and Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.). He was named by The New Republic as one of Washington’s “Most Powerful, Least Famous People” and was listed twice on GQ’s “50 Most Powerful People in Washington, D.C.” “Steve Elmendorf is unquestionably a well-deserving recipient of this award,” said Mitch Bainwol, vice chairman of the Bryce Harlow Foundation. “Steve’s career is an example of lobbying with the highest standards of ethics and honesty, reflecting the standards of Bryce Harlow himself.”

About the Bryce Harlow Foundation

The Bryce Harlow Foundation was established in 1981 in honor of the late Bryce Harlow to promote integrity within the lobbying profession and to increase the understanding of its essential role in the development of sound public policy. Bryce Harlow, who served under four U.S. presidents, established the first White House Congressional Liaison Office and served as its director during the Eisenhower and Nixon administrations. For more information or to make a tax-deductible donation, please visit www.bryceharlow.org.

Contact: Barbara Faculjak
Direct: 202-654-7812
Mobile: 703-402-9094
Email: bfaculjak@bryceharlow.org

Samantha Bilotta first heard of the Bryce Harlow Foundation while working towards her bachelor’s degree in political science at American University. As a junior, Samantha took a class on Ethics in Lobbying, taught by the Foundation.

“I loved the class and everything BHF stood for. I knew it was something I wanted to continue to pursue,” Samantha said. “I’ve never found an organization where my morals and beliefs about lobbying aligned so closely with theirs.”

Today, Samantha is a three-time BHF fellow and she credits the Fellowship’s mentoring program as one of its strengths. “My mentors through the Foundation have been engaged every step of the way. They are easy to talk with and provide practical advice while challenging me to question what is right and wrong in the world of professional advocacy.”

Samantha is poised to complete her master’s degree in Legislative Affairs through George Washington University this December while working as a Director for Banner Public Affairs, where she specializes in drafting legislation and policy research.

We’ve been honored to have a young leader with Samantha’s promise and integrity as part of the Bryce Harlow Foundation Fellowship.