Motorola snags lobbyist from tech group

Motorola Solutions has brought on a new lobbyist to lead its government affairs team.

Robert Hoffman will join the company early next month as a corporate vice president to the government affairs division in Motorola’s Washington office. Hoffman comes from the Information Technology Industry Council (ITI), where he was senior vice president of global public policy.

At Motorola, Hoffman will report to Mark Hacker, the company’s general counsel and senior vice president of legal and government affairs.

{mosads}“Robert is an accomplished, senior-level executive with extensive experience in developing and implementing public policy agendas for innovative companies in the technology industry. We are looking forward to the insight and advocacy he will provide as the leader of Motorola’s government affairs organization in the United States and around the world,” Hacker said in a statement.

Hacker said he was excited about joining the company.

“Motorola Solutions has a tremendous legacy for path-breaking innovation, and many governments and businesses today look to Motorola as a valued and trusted technology partner and leader,” Hoffman said.

Hoffman is a long-time tech lobbyist. Before joining ITI, he worked for Cognizant Technology Solutions and Oracle. He is a former aide to a California governor and four senators, including former Sens. Larry Pressler (R-S.D.) and Mike DeWine (R-Ohio.).

Motorola Solutions has boosted its lobbying spending as of late. In 2013, the company spent about $2.4 million on lobbying. That’s more than the $2 million that the company spent in 2012.

Dean Garfield, ITI’s president and CEO, congratulated Hoffman on his move.

“Since he will be at one of our member companies, we are fortunate to be able to continue to work with him and rely on his sound counsel and judgment. I join everyone at ITI, as well as at our member companies, in congratulating him on this new endeavor,” Garfield said.