Lobbying world

Brian Anderson, a former aide to Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey (R), is launching his own GOP opposition research firm called The Saguaro Group. Anderson left the governor’s office earlier this month and previously worked for Freedom Partners.

Bracewell hired Angela Styles away from Crowell & Moring to work as a partner in the firm’s government contracts practice. Styles had been with Cromwell for more than a decade and most recently chaired its government contracts practice.

Katie Oppenheim has joined Sanofi as vice president and head of federal government relations. She comes from the drug-maker Merck, where she worked as executive director of U.S. policy and government relations. She also worked as a lobbyist for Japan-based pharmaceutical company Eisai.

Burson-Marsteller has named Matthew Ballard a director in the firm’s public affairs and crisis practice. Prior to that, he worked as a senior associate at the Glen Echo Group and launched its cybersecurity communications practice. Ballard previously spent almost 10 years as the deputy communications director for the House Homeland Security Committee. 

Reince Priebus, who left his post as White House chief of staff earlier this year, is returning to law firm Michael Best & Friedrich to serve as president and chief strategist. He’ll also chair the board of advisers for Michael Best Strategies. Priebus, who formerly led the Republican National Committee (RNC), has also signed with a speakers bureau. Priebus worked for Michael Best for more than a decade before he joined the RNC in 2011. 

The National Association of Broadcasters hired Antrell Tyson to serve as assistant general counsel. He previously served as a lawyer on the Senate Homeland Security Subcommittee on Regulatory Affairs and Federal Management. 

Tori Barnes will now be leading advocacy outreach for the U.S. Travel Association, serving as the industry group’s senior vice president of government relations, a newly created post. Before that, she worked at General Motors, most recently serving as the executive director of federal affairs.