Chamber of Commerce overhauls lobbying operation

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is overhauling its lobbying team in preparation for the departure of its top lobbyist, Bruce Josten, at the end of the year.

Josten has worked at the group for 42 years, with 22 years at the helm of its lobby shop. He has been described as “irreplaceable,” holding many roles within policy, fundraising and lobbying circles.

Suzanne Clark will succeed Josten in January as the Chamber’s second-highest-ranking officer, overseeing the government affairs division of the massive industry group.

“Suzanne is the ideal choice to lead this all-star team,” said Chamber CEO Tom Donohue in a statement.

Clark previously served as the Chamber’s chief operating officer, and between her stints at the organization, she served as the president of the National Journal Group and founded the political intelligence firm Potomac Research Group.

This experience “gives her an unparalleled perspective on the issues and public attitudes facing our members,” Donohue continued. “She is an individual of high energy, keen intelligence, and total integrity who enjoys the trust and confidence of the Chamber’s board, key members, federation partners, and me.” 

The Chamber’s expanded advocacy team includes Neil Bradley, the chief strategy officer for the Conservative Reform Network who formerly worked as deputy chief of staff and principal policy advisor to House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) and his predecessor, former Rep. Eric Cantor (R-Va.). At the Chamber, Bradley will serve as senior vice president and chief policy officer, a new position. 

“He will be a strong asset whose door will be open to our members, policymakers, journalists, and the association community,” Donohue said.

Douglas Holtz-Eakin, the president of the conservative American Action Forum (AAF), will become an outside senior policy counselor at the Chamber advising the group on “a range of issues.” His resume includes serving as the director of the Congressional Budget Office and as the chief economist of the President’s Council of Economic Advisers under President George W. Bush.

Donohue called Holtz-Eakin “a policy innovator whose intellectual honesty is admired across the political spectrum.”

“I’m proud to know that AAF’s policy perspective is respected by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and we look forward to the opportunity to work toward the common goal of promoting innovative free-market solutions that grow our economy and make government work better for the American people,” said Holtz-Eakin.

For its smaller members, the Chamber has hired Thomas Sullivan to serve as vice president of small business policy and the executive director of the group’s Small and Mid-Market Business Councils. 

Sullivan comes from law firm Nelson Mullins, but has formerly worked as general counsel for the Bipartisan Policy Center and as the chief counsel for advocacy at the U.S. Small Business Administration during the George W. Bush administration. He succeeds Giovanni Coratolo, who retired earlier this year. 

In addition to the new hires, existing members of the Chamber’s advocacy team are taking on expanded roles, including Jack Howard, which will boost the group’s efforts on Capitol Hill during the Republican-controlled Congress.

Scott Reed, whom the Chamber dubs an “architect of [its] successful voter education program,” will be focused on developing strategies that “will apply the Chamber’s political influence and tactics to upcoming legislative and policy battles, while also beginning immediately on plans for the 2018 mid-term election cycle.”

The 2018 mid-term elections are expected to be rough for Democrats, as many senator in red states are defending their seats. 

“With a new administration and Congress on the way, we couldn’t have assembled a better team at such an important moment for the business community and our country,” Donohue said. “We are well positioned for success in 2017 and beyond.”

— This post was updated at 4:34 p.m.