Some elements of corporate America, which has broadened its presence in the nation’s capital over the last several years, are anxious now that Democrats have control of Congress. This will likely lead to a further expansion of corporate lobbyists on Capitol Hill, and more Democratic hires by big-business interests. Hill Democrats have sought to reassure industry leaders that they are not anti-business, though their positions on certain issues have some corporations running for cover. The following are The Hill’s 2007 top corporate lobbyists.
Sam Adcock, European Aeronautic Defense and Space Co. Adcock has proven consistently he has what it takes for EADS North America to make its play on the U.S. defense market.
Abigail Blunt, Altria Blunt, an experienced lobbyist who represents the world’s largest cigarette maker, happens to be married to House Minority Whip Roy Blunt (R-Mo.).
Nick Calio, Citigroup Calio has long been one of the most respected lobbyists in town, so even the rise of the Democrats will not put a dent in his reputation.
Kenneth Cole, General Motors Cole, at the auto company for decades, recently has been promoted to vice president. He handles GM’s global public policy.
Rodger Currie, Amgen This biotechnology and pharmaceutical outfit has assembled an all-star lobbying squad, of which Currie is the captain.
Brian Dailey, Lockheed Martin With some of the top defense programs at stake, Dailey and his team will be hard at work this year.
Priya Dayananda, KPMG This former senior staffer to three House Democrats is KPMG’s not-so-secret weapon on the Hill.
Don Duncan, ConocoPhillips Duncan offers his politically beleaguered industry a steady hand on Capitol Hill.
Nancy Dorn, General Electric The head of GE’s lobby shop, Dorn has held senior positions in the Pentagon and the Bush White House, and on Capitol Hill.
Duane Duncan, Fannie Mae He has fended off threats to Fannie Mae before; this year will be the true test.
Robert Foosaner, Sprint Nextel The former Federal Communications Commission’s Private Radio Bureau chief is primed to press the telecom company’s case. Matt Gelman, Microsoft Gelman took a hiatus to help Rep. James Clyburn (D-S.C.) build his whip team, but is now back.
Bob Helm, Northrop Grumman A former Senate Budget Committee staffer and Pentagon appointee, Helm has his hands full overseeing Northrop’s interests.
Ed Hill, Bank of America Government staffers and K Street denizens agree: Hill is among the hardest-working lobbyists in town.
Tod Hullin, Boeing With a wealth of experience in the White House and Pentagon, Hullin took the reins of this effective shop last year.
Mark L. Keam, Verizon Keam, Verizon’s lead Democratic lobbyist, was Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin’s (D-Ill.) longest-serving chief counsel and is a former FCC lawyer.
Tim Keating, Honeywell International Inc. Keating, a Clinton White House legislative aide and a Democratic hire during the K Street Project, runs Honeywell’s in-house shop.
Bill Lane, Caterpillar Lane works for the approval of several U.S. trade deals in Latin America, a key area for the construction and mining-equipment giant.
Lori Lane, Citigroup Veteran trade lobbyist Lane moved to Citigroup this year to head TimeWarner’s international government affairs office.
Tim McBride, Freddie Mac A veteran of the first Bush administration and former DaimlerChrysler lobbyist, McBride has an enviable Rolodex. Tim McKone, AT&T Corp. McKone could be the ideal man to run the merged lobby shop of three telecom behemoths.
Scott Miller, Procter & Gamble Miller will press for approval of a host of trade agreements while fighting off efforts to tighten trade rules on China.
Ziad Ojakli, Ford Motor Corp. A former Bush administration official, Ojakli is respected on both sides. This year he hired Bruce Andrews, a popular lobbyist from Quinn Gillespie & Associates.
Steve Patterson, J.P. Morgan Chase Patterson boasts a grasp on policy issues and sterling contacts on the Senate Banking Committee.
Peter Rubin, Merck Rubin started out as an aide to liberal Rep. Jim McDermott (D-Wash.) but has been a drug-industry lobbyist since 2000 and joined Merck’s shop last year.
Sarah Thorn, Wal-Mart Thorn moved from the Grocery Manufacturers Association last year to Wal-Mart, and coordinates lobbying with Lee Culpepper, who has moved to the company’s headquarters in Arkansas.
