Bryce Harlow Foundation

As the Bryce Harlow Foundation enters into its 33rd year, we are proud to welcome the most recent additions to our board. Five new governors were confirmed at the Board of Governors Annual Meeting this week. Joyce Brayboy of Goldman Sachs Group, Geoff Davis of Republic Consulting, Beth Fowler of Korn/Ferry and Rich Gold of Holland & Knight – we welcome you and look forward to your leadership and service on the board.

Joyce Brayboy serves as vice president of government affairs for Goldman Sachs, a position she has held since November 2009. Joyce has had a long history in public service and government relations. Prior to joining Goldman Sachs, she spent nine years working for former U. S. Representative Melvin Watt. In addition Joyce worked with the Glover Park Group, a well-known D.C. firm that specializes in government relations and strategic communication. Joyce is the recipient of the second annual Trailblazer Award from the Congressional Black Associates and she was honored as “Lobbyist of the Year” by the Washington Government Relations Group.

Geoff Davis is the founder of Republic Consulting, LLC, a government affairs consulting firm. As a former Member of Congress from Kentucky’s 4th District, Geoff served as chairman of the Ways & Means’ Subcommittee on Human Resources. His priorities included regulatory reform, tax relief to working families and energy independence, to name a few. Prior to serving in Congress Geoff owned and operated a small consulting firm specializing in lean manufacturing and systems integration.

Beth Fowler is a senior client partner at Korn/Ferry where she leads federal, state, regulatory, and public policy searches on behalf of many associations, corporations and firms. Prior to her career at Korn/Ferry, Beth worked in government relations at The Michael Lewan Company and APCO Associates. Adding to Beth’s stellar resume, she also served as a presidential appointee working with the Under Secretary for International Affairs at the Department of the Treasury as well as the Republican National Committee during the George H.W. Bush Administration.

Rich Gold is a partner at Holland & Knight where he specializes in legislative and environment law as leader of the firm’s public policy and regulation practice group. Prior to his tenure at Holland & Knight, Rich worked in the public sector, including stints with Senator Lloyd Bentsen and EPA Administrator Carol Browner. The environmental and energy expertise that Rich brings to his practice create the focus for a wide range of substantive issues from chemical security and food safety to transportation and energy efficiency and production. Rich also writes and speaks out about the important role that lobbying plays in the development of sound public policy.

The Bryce Harlow Foundation’s 25-member board of governors is selected from the nation’s finest corporate government affairs offices, trade associations, and consulting firms. It has worked hard to position itself as the principal nonprofit organization in Washington, DC that promotes the highest professional standards in lobbying and government relations. Joyce, Geoff, Beth and Rich share our mission and we’re delighted they have joined our team.

Today’s blog post was written by Haley Barbour and Ed Rodgers and first appeared in Politico.

Well, well, well. A new Gallup poll reveals that Americans view lobbyists as having the lowest honesty and ethical standards of any profession of the 22 surveyed. We’re shocked!

You don’t have to be an expert at studying the internals and crosstabs of a poll to understand that lobbyists’ work contains all the right ingredients for a cocktail of contempt. Lobbyists deal with the government in Washington. Ding! Politics. Ding ding! Political fundraising. Ding ding ding! We do much of our work with a lawyerly patina. Ding ding ding ding!

Lobbying is an unloved industry, with scads of lawyers, politicians and bureaucrats as well as campaign money in the mix, and everybody wants something. Everyone likes to beat up on us, and none more so than President Barack Obama, who grandiosely says things like: “We’re going to have to change the culture in Washington so that lobbyists and special interests aren’t driving the process.”

That kind of bluster doesn’t bother us. We love our jobs, but we’re not expecting the thanks of a grateful nation—lobbying just doesn’t have too many appealing elements for most Americans, and that won’t change. But if you are an Obama disciple and it makes you feel more comfortable, you could always just think of us as “Navigators.”

Each of us has had a 20-plus year career as a lobbyist, so it’s safe to say we’ve given some thought to lobbying and what lobbyists really do. And didn’t former President Bill Clinton once say something like: If you know what you’re doing, you’re never afraid to talk about what you do? So we come not to bury lobbyists, but to explain them. We don’t mind talking about what we do. And thanks to the ever-expanding government and the perpetual nature of bureaucracy, the lawyer and lobbyist business is a growth industry.

So many lobbyists are lawyers because a lot of what lobbyists do is like a slow-motion jury trial. You have to find the jury, meet with them one at a time and argue your case; you advocate on behalf of your client. It’s about persuasion.

Lobbying mostly consists of three parts:
First, someone has a problem, concern or desire to change something in Washington or in government somewhere. A good lobbyist needs to put together a “wiring diagram” that identifies all the offices and individuals who have some sort of discretionary input over the issue in question. That group includes the obvious government offices, but can also include the media, competitors, trade associations, think tanks and other interest groups.

These days, that diagram can grow pretty large. Aside from President Obama’s unprecedented and questionable use of executive fiat, power is becoming more diffuse in Washington. The growth of bureaucracy is making it harder for a company or even an industry, much less an individual, to find out what is actually going on in government, and harder still to move the needle on any given measure. Knowing who to talk to is the first step and, increasingly, it takes an expert to draw up the plan.

Second, you have to get a fair hearing in front of the people who matter, choreographed in a way that makes sense. Pretty much everyone we have met and interacted with over the past couple decades wants to do a good job, and most are open to hearing factual information. A dirty little secret in Washington is that the majority of policymakers want to thoroughly understand the policy and politics of whatever issue is on the table. Most want to get as many facts and as much perspective as they can, and lobbyists are a major source of that information. Democrats, Republicans; conservatives, liberals—while their individual perspectives on a particular issue may depend on where they sit, most of them are very willing to give you a hearing.

Third, when lobbying, you have to tell the truth and maintain a reputation for telling the truth. If you want to be invited back to talk about an issue with members of Congress, government officials and other policymakers, you need to be credible. It’s rare that you will change a decisionmaker’s view 180 degrees, but good information that demonstrates sound policy and good politics will move members at the margin. Those who are truly undecided might, in rare instances, move totally to the side of your client. But even among those who are inclined to be against your view, you might be able to moderate their position so that it is not as adverse to your client’s interests.

There are no “dark arts” here, to use a phrase that is often applied to our work. Lobbying occurs on every issue in every office in Washington, be it climate change, small-business regulations or animal rights. President Obama would be more effective if he were a better lobbyist. LBJ, Bill Clinton and even Ronald Reagan were all good lobbyists; that is, they were great advocates for their policies.

“For two days Twain held his court – talking all the time – and such talk! He talked about steamboating on the Mississippi, about his experiences in Nevada, California, and the Sandwich Islands, about lecturing, writing books, about his travels in far lands, about getting rich and going broke, about the prominent people he had met – in short, about almost everything and everybody – but always wound up by arguing in favor of his bill. On the morning of the second day there was a blinding snow-storm in Washington, and Twain blossomed out in a flannel suit, white as the snow, while all the world wondered. For a week his eccentricity in dress was the talk not only of the town, but of the whole country. … Incidentally his bill was universally discussed. For that cunningly devised caper he must have received a million dollars’ worth of free advertising for his copyright bill.”

So, we think we’re in pretty distinguished company.

Today’s post comes from Randy Russell, Partner, The Russell Group

I can think of no one more deserving of the Bryce Harlow Foundation’s Business-Government Relations Award than Connie Tipton. If success is measured by the length of the road traveled—Connie has traveled further and accomplished more than about anyone I know.  And the road she traveled has truly been a “road less traveled.” Being a woman who rose to the top in the agriculture and food industry over the last 35 years –an industry traditionally dominated by men—is truly a tremendous accomplishment. But more importantly, Connie achieved this success the right way—full of class, integrity, humor and always helping to promote others in their careers. I can’t think of a more deserving recipient and one that exemplifies the values of the Bryce Harlow Foundation than Connie. I especially look forward to attending this years’ event.

The Bryce Harlow Foundation believes that sound public policy benefits when the voices at the table are strong, honest and articulate. That is why we are a proud sponsor of the Professional Women in Advocacy Conference taking place December 8-10 in Washington, DC.  The tagline for this conference says it all: “When women have a seat at the public policy table, everyone benefits.” This national conference will provide professional development and leadership training to women in all areas of advocacy including government relations and public affairs. The organizers, all prominent women lobbyists themselves, worked hard to craft an experience that will both inspire participants and prepare them for success.

The conference will highlight, at its Power Women in Advocacy reception, eight outstanding women advocates, nominated by their peers for their achievements in five categories: federal issue campaign, state issue campaign, campaign for women serving women, veteran practitioner and up-and-coming practitioner.  While men still outnumber women in the lobbying ranks, it’s important to recognize and pay tribute to notable women who have gained notice from their peers for their effective expertise and performance.  Members of the Bryce Harlow board were asked to serve on the awards selection panel and I’m pleased to share the winners in each category below.

Dorothy Coleman, Vice President of Tax and Domestic Economic Policy at the National Association of Manufacturers, will be honored in the Federal Issue Campaign category for her outstanding leadership during the fiscal cliff crisis of December 2012. “Dorothy’s advocacy efforts on behalf of the NAM helped to prevent the largest tax increase in history and to bring about positive tax changes for manufacturers,” said her colleague Laura Narvaiz when nominating her for the award.

Amber Harding and Marta Beresin of the Washington Legal Clinic for the Homeless are the recipients of the State Issue Campaign award for their tireless efforts to ensure that homeless families in Washington, DC were protected against potential new laws that could have been harmful. “Harding and Beresin mobilized a broad community of supporters and worked with the Gray Administration to soften the impact of certain provisions and with the DC Council to remove provisions that remained punitive and harmful,” stated their colleague Patricia Mullahy Fugere.

The honorees in the Women Serving Women Campaign category are Barbara S. Wahl, Kristine J. Dunne and Alison Lima Andersen, attorneys at Arent Fox, for their years of work fighting for the rights of women who have suffered gender discrimination in the awarding of farm loans by the USDA. “As a result of their excellent efforts, the government has offered an administrative claim program that makes over $1 billion available to women who can prove gender discrimination,” said Roderic Boggs of the Washington Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights and Urban Affairs.

The winner in the Up-and-Coming Practitioner category is Mary Kate Cunningham, manager for public policy at the American Society of Association Executives Center for Association Leadership. Although she has only been a registered lobbyist for one year, Mary Kate’s co-worker Robert Hay stated that “without a doubt, she has a bright future as a female leader and star lobbyist.” She will be recognized for her impressive ability to simultaneously organize her association’s annual member fly-in (with record attendance) while also coordinating grassroots efforts to fight a major Senate amendment. She also makes significant contributions to Running Start, an organization dedicated to bringing young women into politics.

The final honoree in the Veteran Practitioner category is Martie Kendrick of Patton Boggs for her impact on health care legislation over the past twenty years. Among countless other achievements, Martie’s advocacy efforts resulted in the inclusion of colorectal cancer screening benefits as one of the first Medicare preventative benefits, as well as statutory language that expanded funding to mammography for lower income women.“ Not only has Martie represented clients successfully before Congress in virtually every major piece of health, Medicare and Medicaid legislation, but she has also achieved many legislative victories on behalf of the firm’s pro bono clients such as Bright Beginnings Day Care Centers and the Greater Washington Urban League,” said Kevin O’Neill of Patton Boggs.

For more information and to register for the conference, please visit womeninadvocacy.com.

The following blog post comes from Christy Robinson, a former Bryce Harlow Foundation Fellow. Ms. Robinson is currently an analyst at Matrix Global Advisors, a Washington, DC-based economic policy consulting firm. She graduated from George Mason University with a master’s in public policy and was named a Bryce Harlow Fellow in 2012.

Pursuing a graduate degree in public policy while working full-time is a challenge, to say the least. In light of this, I was surprised by the dearth of scholarships and fellowships for which I was eligible as a part-time graduate student. At times, I wondered melodramatically if I were being punished for working while getting my master’s degree. Then I found the Bryce Harlow Foundation.

Offering financial and professional support to part-time graduate students who work full-time, the Foundation displays appreciation and sensitivity for the rigorous schedule a Bryce Harlow Fellow maintains. Fortunate enough to be selected as a Fellow for the 2012-2013 academic year, I found it immensely helpful and reassuring to have the availability of resources – networking lunches, happy hours, mentoring, and more – without the pressure to engage beyond my ability. Profoundly grateful for the Foundation’s support, I was also appreciative of the confidence they placed in me to make of the Fellowship what I would. As a result, I attended as many events as I could and developed a wonderful mentoring relationship with the board member who was my assigned mentor.

If anything could make me want to keep going to graduate school now that I’ve completed my program, being able to remain a Bryce Harlow Fellow would be at the top of the list. Fortunately, I can stay engaged with the Foundation as an alumna and leave my textbooks on the shelf.

The Bryce Harlow Foundation is pleased to announce its 2013-14 class of Bryce Harlow Fellows. Our prestigious fellowship is awarded to exceptional graduate students with career goals in government relations and lobbying who demonstrate high academic achievement and leadership skills. Bryce Harlow Fellows attend graduate school part-time while working full-time in a variety of settings, including Capitol Hill, government agencies, lobbying firms and trade associations.

The Bryce Harlow Fellowship selection was once again a very competitive process.  The committee, chaired this year by Jo Cooper, selected 20 fellows from almost 70 applications that were submitted on-line for the first time this year. The new class of fellows represents six major universities, including American University, the Catholic University of America, George Mason University, George Washington University, Georgetown University and Johns Hopkins University.  Three Fellows are MBA students, six are studying law, and 11 are pursuing Masters degrees in public policy and government.

The Foundation considers its Bryce Harlow Fellows to be the future of professional advocacy – those who are committed to practicing the art of lobbying with the highest level of integrity.  In addition to the $8,000 award, Fellows participate in mentoring relationships with the Foundation’s board of governors. Applications for the 2014-15 academic year will be available on our website in January.

Bryce Harlow Foundation 2013-14 Fellows

The following post comes from current and former Bryce Harlow Fellow Natalie McIntyre. Ms. McIntyre received the award in 2011 and 2012. She is now a policy administrative assistant at K&L Gates. Ms. McIntyre earned a Master of Public Policy degree at Georgetown University.

The Bryce Harlow fellowship has truly been an amazing and rewarding experience. My relationships through the foundation have given me the opportunity to work at the GOP Presidential convention, sit with Senator John McCain at the rewards dinner, and gain a mentor who is very well-respected and well-known in the policy world. My mentor was not only someone I looked up to and trusted for career advice, but she was (and is) a true friend and I know our relationship will continue to grow.

Not only are the members of the foundation inspirational, but so are the other fellows — past and present. The BHF has a gift for bringing together fellows from all different backgrounds, and with different experiences, but we all have the same goal — to be the future leaders of America.

The combination of the people, the experience, and the reputation of being a Bryce Harlow Fellow has truly been gratifying and rewarding in countless ways and I am truly honored that I have had the opportunity to be a part of this incredible family.

The Bryce Harlow Foundation is excited to award Lindsey Mears with the winning paper from the Ethics in Lobbying Workshop. Ms. Mears is a recent graduate of the Masters degree program in Political Communication at American University. She participated in the Ethics in Lobbying Workshop to enhance her understanding of both the perception and legislation of lobbying activity. She is currently working at an advocacy nonprofit and wants to continue working in issue advocacy.

You can read the full text of her paper here.

Congratulations to Representative John Dingell, who will become the longest-serving representative in history on June 7, 2013! Representing the 12th congressional district of Michigan, Rep. Dingell is the current Dean of the House of Representatives. He was awarded the Bryce Harlow Foundation award in 1996 for his years of committed service in the House of Representatives as a part of a career that echoes the work and life of Bryce Harlow.

Rep. Dingell was first elected to the House of Representatives in 1956 and has been reelected 29 times since then. He began his career by fighting for civil rights, clean water, Medicare, and American workers’ rights. Throughout his tenure, he has also advocated for protecting American jobs, improving the safety of our food and drug supply, strengthening consumer product safety, and implementing pipeline safety measures. He has authored many acts and bills over his career, including the Endangered Species Act, the 1990 Clean Water Act, the Safe Drinking Water Act, the Affordable Care Act, and the Patient’s Bill of Rights.

The Bryce Harlow Foundation would like to extend its congratulations to Rep. Dingell for this historic accomplishment!

Today’s post comes from Leigh Ann Pusey, president and CEO of the American Insurance Association and the Vice Chairman of the Bryce Harlow Foundation.

One can’t open a newspaper, watch television or scan social media without being overwhelmed by the partisan tone which has engulfed seemingly every public policy debate in Washington. Whether it’s healthcare or immigration, sequestration or tax reform; it appears as if all public policy matters have been classified as either liberal or conservative, thus dooming them to partisan gridlock. In reality, those of us working in government relations should recognize that public policy outcomes must always be directed toward the greater good. For the legislation we often seek to develop affects real working people each and every day.

The challenges currently facing our country and this Congress are complex and go beyond simple partisan talking points. As public policy advocates, our commitment must be to advance workable solutions which transcend the all too prevalent political tone in our society. We must champion the core pillars of our profession to build coalitions and unite diverse voices to help solve these pressing challenges.

When Bryce Harlow received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1981, it was for, “A life spent reconciling divergent interests, serving high moral principles, and channeling the forces of public policy toward the public good.” We must follow his example and commitment to service. The issues our country faces are too great to be eternally mired by political disagreement. They represent an opportunity to serve our nation by advancing solutions that truly benefit the greater good.