Former House Democratic Leader Dick Gephardt brings to the private sector an unparalleled set of policy, legislative and "people" skills sharpened from 28 years of public service. While a member of Congress, he earned a sterling reputation based on his tireless work ethic and commitment to solving the nation's challenges through consensus building. Today, Gephardt brings that same energy, passion and determination to assisting clients in successfully navigating Washington's complex policy, regulatory and legislative arenas.
Tom O'Donnell served as chief of staff to House Democratic Leader Richard Gephardt (D-MO) for eight years, bringing successful resolution to numerous national, political and legislative battles. O'Donnell acted as Gephardt's chief strategist and field general for, among other landmark fiscal and budgetary pieces of legislation, the Budget Summit Agreement of 1995, the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993 and the 1995 Medicare Reform. O'Donnell brings policy expertise spanning three decades and has played pivotal roles in negotiating with the Clinton White House, Senate, Administration and key industry stakeholders.
Tom Blank joined Gephardt Government Affairs as an Executive Vice President and oversees several of the firm’s transportation and technology clients. Blank brings decades of business and government experience having served as the top public affairs executive for two NYSE corporations, two federal agencies and the Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives. Tom’s federal experience includes two stints on Capitol Hill and service at the U.S. Departments of Transportation and Homeland Security, as well as at the U.S. Agency for International Development.
Scott Brenner brings over 15 years of experience working on Capitol Hill and in the Executive branch on homeland security, aviation, surface and other transportation issues. Scott joined Gephardt Government Affairs in 2010 to oversee the firm’s clients including municipalities, tech companies and metropolitan transit authorities on appropriations and other legislative and regulatory issues at the local and federal levels.
Sharon Daniels brings more than 25 years of experience in the House of Representatives and touts expertise in policy process and parliamentary rules. Ms. Daniels served in the Office of House Democratic Leader Richard Gephardt (D-MO), where she was renowned as his right hand and gatekeeper, interacting on a regular basis with Democratic Members of Congress, Senators, White House officials and officers of the House and Senate.
Rob Epplin is an experienced Senate Republican staffer with 23 years of experience on issues ranging from tax, trade and foreign policy to domestic policy issues. Rob joined Gephardt Government Affairs in 2012 as a Vice President where he advises coalition, corporate and international clients. He is widely respected for expertise in policy, legislative process and strategic planning on budget and appropriations issues.
Joel Freedman brings over 30 years experience specializing in legislative and regulatory affairs, having most recently served for 18 years as Senior Vice President, Associate General Counsel and Director of Government Affairs for The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. Freedman stewarded state and federal government relations strategies and activities for the Fortune 100 company's executive team during numerous high-profile industry crises. These included insurance legislative campaigns following the September 11 terrorist attack and Hurricane Katrina. Freedman also directed the company's opening of its first Washington, DC office, acting as the company's chief federal spokesperson and directing several key industry coalitions.
Catherine Goode joined Gephardt Government Affairs in 2009 as a Vice President. Ms. Goode currently directs strategic communications and provides government relations counsel to clients. She has strong experience in message development, strategic planning, and media training services. She has particular strengths in written communications and also regularly interacts with primarily print media contacts.
Christina Hamilton brings 20 years of experience as professional staff to both a Member of Congressional leadership and an Appropriations Committee Chairman. Given the looming challenges posed by the federal budget crisis, our clients rely on her know-how to navigate the Committee and related agencies successfully throughout the federal government’s budget and appropriations processes.
Andrea King oversees the firm's healthcare practice, bringing more than 25 years of healthcare policy experience. Ms. King served for 20 years as Domestic Policy Advisor to House Democratic Leader Richard Gephardt (D-MO). In that capacity, she advised and assisted Gephardt with his leadership activities and managed domestic policy initiatives on his behalf.
Michael Messmer brings a decade of foreign and defense policy experience, having served as a member of the leadership staff to House Democratic Leader Richard Gephardt for six years. From 1999 to 2002, Mike monitored and advised Gephardt and his senior team on legislation and policy ranging from international human rights, missile defense, NATO expansion, counterterrorism, and defense modernization, among others.
Kyle Mulhall brings twenty years of experience in legislative affairs, and administrative, transportation and environmental law. Kyle joined Gephardt Government Affairs as a Vice President in April 2010, where he currently oversees many of the firm’s aviation, municipal, maritime, surface transportation, and technology clients on a full scope federal policy and related appropriations issues.
As one of the longest-serving Chairman of the Appropriations Committee and veteran of 42 years of the United States House of Representatives, no one knows the federal government’s funding process better than Dave Obey.Mr. Obey serves as Senior Counsel at Gephardt Government Affairs. In that capacity, Mr. Obey provides invaluable insight to clients regarding their federal legislative strategy and issue management throughout the interagency budget and appropriations process.
Janice O'Connell brings foreign and international economic policy experience spanning three decades, having served as a professional staff member of both the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations and Banking Committees. She previously served as Senior Foreign Policy and National Security Advisor to Senator Christopher J. Dodd (D-CT), Chairman of the Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee.
The heavy posturing in Washington over fiscal policy makes it difficult to focus on the stark reality presented by the Congressional Budget Office.
Breaux and Gephardt. Gerard and Maloney. Berman and Podesta. According to First Street, these were among the most powerful lobbyists in Washington this year.
...Tom O'Donnell, Gephardt Government Affairs Group. O'Donnell and his former Capitol Hill boss, ex-House Democratic Leader Richard Gephardt (Mo.), have done well since joining forces...
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Gephardt's former chief of staff Tom O'Donnell talks to National Journal about post-debt ceiling debate prospects for bipartisanship.
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Video: How Will FAA Crisis Affect You?
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Debt-limit votes have been called the "burden of the majority" — an unpleasant chore that needed to be done by whichever party happens to be in power.
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Christina Hamilton, Former Chief of Staff to House Appropriations Committee Chairman Dave Obey, will join the firm. As a Senior Vice President with the firm, Christina will support the firm’s health, energy, transportation, trade and appropriations clients.
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Life on the outside after more than 41 years in Congress hasn’t been much different for former House Appropriations Chairman David Obey, D-Wis. — or so it seems.
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Dick Gephardt participated in Vice President Joe Biden, Dr. Jill Biden and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s welcoming lunch honoring Her Excellency Dr. Angela Merkel, Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany.
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Gephardt Government Affairs President & CEO Dick Gephardt announced that Former House Appropriations Committee Chairman Dave Obey will join the firm.
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