Lobbying World

• Richard Pollack, the top lobbyist for the American Hospital Association, has been selected as the powerful group’s CEO. He succeeds Richard Umbdenstock, who last year announced plans to retire. Pollack has been with the organization for more than 30 years and has served as its executive vice president for advocacy and public policy since 1991. He officially begins his new role in September. 

• The Investment Company Institute has named Matthew Beck as senior director of media relations, making him responsible for all media and public relations. Prior to that, he served as a vice president for strategic communications at the Glover Park Group. While on Capitol Hill, Beck served as the communications director and policy adviser for the House Ways and Means Committee.

{mosads}• Jennifer Moore will join the Medicaid Health Plans of America as the vice president of policy and research. In that role, she will manage the group’s policy and advocacy staff. Moore comes from the Department of Health and Human Services’ Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality where she was health scientist and team leader specializing in women’s health and gender studies. 

 • Navigators Global hired Josh Finestone as vice president of legislative affairs. He most recently worked as a legislative assistant for Sen. Dean Heller (R-Nev.). His policy portfolio includes intelligence, tourism, defense, technology, appropriations, transportation, national security and veterans affairs. In addition to his Capitol Hill experience, he worked on the Romney-Ryan campaign and several others. 

• Jeff Boothe, who served as an equity partner at Holland & Knight for 15 years, has split away to form his own firm, Boothe Transit Consulting. Holland & Knight has formed a “strategic relationship” with Boothe’s new venture, and he will retain some of his old clients. Boothe also serves as the executive director of the Community Streetcar Coalition.

• Cicely Simpson begins her new post at the National Restaurant Association next week, where she will serve as the vice president of government affairs and policy. She will come from Dunkin’ Brands Group, where she has worked for the last seven years as its vice president of government affairs. Simpson replaces Scott DeFife, who left the organization earlier this year.