The best in the business for America’s business sectors

Every spring, The Hill highlights Washington’s top lobbyists. The list is determined through conversations with members of Congress, key aides and lobbyists themselves.

The lobbying industry is being scrutinized more than ever in the wake of K Street scandals, which have triggered Congress’s  pursuit of lobbying reform legislation.

Josh Ackil, Information Technology Industry Council Ackil is the lead Democratic lobbyist at ITI, a high-tech group that specializes in congressional outreach.

{mosads} Paul Bailey, Generators for Clean Air Bailey, a former lobbyist for EEI, is “extremely thoughtful and well-connected,” said one Senate staff aide.

Mitch Bainwol, Recording Industry Association of America Bainwol continues to lead the music industry’s campaign to curb piracy and transition its multi-billion-dollar business to the digital world.
 
Dan Berger, National Association of Federal Credit Unions The former banking lobbyist is credit unions’ not-so-secret weapon.

John Castellani, Business Roundtable Castellani and the Roundtable have a broad reach on Capitol Hill.

Red Cavaney, American Petroleum Institute Under Cavaney, API has embarked on a massive public relations effort to improve Big Oil’s tarnished image.

Frank Coleman, Distilled Spirits Council of the United States Coleman works the media and Capitol Hill to drive DISCUS’s agenda.

Dan Danner, National Federation of Independent Business With 600,000 companies behind him and decades of experience, Danner’s got clout.
 
Tom Donohue, U.S. Chamber of Commerce Democratic control of Congress has put Donohue on the defensive on tax policy, but he continues to advocate on immigration, trade and other issues for U.S. business.
 
Cal Dooley, Grocery Manufacturers Association/Food Products Association The former House Democrat heads the merged associations that represent food, beverage and household-products companies.

Kim Dorgan, American Council of Life Insurers Dorgan is one of the most well respected lobbyists in town.

John Douglass, Aerospace Industries Association The former assistant secretary of the Navy leads the aerospace industry’s fight on acquisition and export controls.

Charlie Drevna, Bob Slaughter, National Petrochemical and Refiners Association Drevna and Slaughter are known for their straightforward counsel on Capitol Hill.

Lynn Dudley, American Benefits Council Social Security and pension reform may be off the table for now, but Dudley will have her hands full as Democrats eye changes to the healthcare system.

Martin Edwards, Interstate Natural Gas Association of America Edwards and INGAA President Donald Santa are effective advocates for the natural gas industry.
 
John Engler, National Association of Manufacturers The former Michigan GOP governor is still able to open doors for NAM’s members across Washington.
 
Frank Fahrenkopf, American Gaming Association A longtime Republican National Committee chairman, Fahrenkopf has spent more than a decade at the gambling group’s helm.

Jack Gerard, American Chemistry Council Gerard has helped stabilize ACC, which had seen its effectiveness undercut by internal divisions.
 
Jerry Giovaniello, National Association of Realtors His association’s PAC was the top contributor to federal candidates last election.
 
Dan Glickman, Motion Picture Association of America A Democrat hired during the height of the K Street Project, Glickman is under pressure to get results now that his ex-colleagues are in charge.
 
Richard Green, National Guard Association of the United States As part of an organization with powerful ties to governors, Green is boosted by a team of talented lobbyists to fight for the interests of the National Guard.  
 
Karen Ignagni, America’s Health Insurance Plans Ignagni’s widely recognized mettle and skill will be tested this year because her members have bull’s-eyes on their backs.
 
Bruce Josten, U.S. Chamber of Commerce One of the business community’s most effective strategists, Josten plays a critical role in the Chamber’s successes, directing day-to-day operations with Rolf Lundberg.

Chip Kahn, Federation of American Hospitals This veteran lobbyist was a longtime GOP congressional aide but his expertise and reach go far beyond his partisan ties.

Tom Kuhn, Edison Electric Institute Kuhn directs the powerful electric utility lobby group. Kathy Steckleberg is among EEI’s respected team of lobbyists.

Steve Largent, CTIA-The Wireless Association Ex-Rep. Largent (R-Okla.) has been ably carrying the ball for cell phone companies since 2003.

Mark Maslyn, American Farm Bureau Federation Maslyn oversees public policy for the nation’s largest general farm organization, which will be a major player as Congress considers a farm bill.

James May, Air Transport Association May’s skills will be tested this year as he tries to convince Congress to require general aviation to pay more into the trust fund that pays for the air traffic control system.

Walter McCormick, U.S. Telecom Association McCormick will have his hands full battling net-neutrality legislation this year.
 
Dave McCurdy, Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers This year’s congressional leadership surely looked more warmly on the automakers’ choice of ex-Rep. McCurdy (D-Okla.) than did 1998’s congressional leadership when the Electronic Industries Alliance hired him.  
 
Ben McKay, Property Casualty Insurers Association of America McKay is working nonstop to fend off threats to the industry.
 
Mark Merritt, Pharmaceutical Care Management Association Merritt is a big-time Republican but his group is a driving force behind promoting generic drugs, a major issue for Democrats.

Greg Mesack, America’s Community Bankers Even his credit union opponents admit Mesack is a force to be reckoned with.
 
Dan Mica, Credit Union National Association The former House Democrat will push a relaxation of credit union regulations.
 
Steve Pfister, National Retail Federation Pfister leads the world’s largest retail trade association on a variety of tax, trade and consumer credit issues.

Kurt Pfotenhauer, Mortgage Bankers Association Pfotenhauer and his crack lobbying team, led by Erick Gustafson, will be busy managing the fallout from the sub-prime mortgage meltdown this year.

Rick Pollack, American Hospital Association The hospitals Pollack represents not only carry weight on the Hill, they have toeholds in practically every district in the country.

Marc Racicot, American Insurance Association The former Republican National Committee Chairman and his top lobbyist, Leigh Ann Pusey, hope that this could be the year Congress grants insurers an optional federal charter.

Dave Rehr, National Association of Broadcasters Rehr runs an association that has long been a power player on Capitol Hill.

Bob Rusbuldt, Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America Rusbuldt and his colleague Charles Symington lead a formidable lobbying team.

Norb Ryan Jr., Military Officers Association of America The retired vice admiral, together with Steve Strobridge, runs an effective shop for the largest professional association of military officers.  
 
Gary Shapiro, Consumer Electronics Association Shapiro with the CEA throws an annual Las Vegas trade show that attracts Hill staffers.
 
Rick Shelby, American Gas Association Shelby is a longtime Republican Party strategist and lobbyist.

Billy Tauzin, Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America The affable ex-House Energy and Commerce Committee chairman occupies the hottest of hot seats this year as his industry is assailed on all sides by the new majority.
 
Mary Kay Thatcher, director of public policy, American Farm Bureau Federation Thatcher has been lobbying farm bills for nearly 20 years and is described by peers as a top-notch lobbyist who gets things done.

Stephen Ubl, Advanced Medical Technology Association Ubl has recruited a high-profile team of Democrats and Republicans and significantly raised AdvaMed’s presence on Capitol Hill.
 
Dirk Van Dongen, National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors The NAW’s political operation is vast and powerful, tackling issues from healthcare reform to taxes.
 
Joel Wood, Council of Insurance Agents and Brokers The group’s top lobbyist is known for barbecue — he founded Red Hot & Blue.
 
Ed Yingling, American Bankers Association The ABA president is a master at parrying political moves by credit unions and Realtors.