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Presented by Altria: Delivered daily, Influence gives you a comprehensive rundown and analysis of all lobby hires and news on K Street. | | | | |  | | By Caitlin Oprysko | | | With Daniel Lippman NEW BUSINESS: The Crypto Council for Innovation, whose members include the crypto exchange Coinbase, Fidelity, Block, Andreessen Horowitz, Gemini and Paradigm, has hired Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld. The council made its first lobbying hire last year, bringing on Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck as the crypto industry scrambled to respond to its inclusion as a pay-for in the bipartisan infrastructure bill. — But the group parted ways with Brownstein at the end of the year, and picked up the Sternhell Group, which represents a number of other crypto and fintech startups (as well as more established financial firms). Sternhell also lobbied for Facebook back when the platform was working on its own digital currency offering, and recent disclosures show they still lobby for parent company Meta on digital currency and blockchain issues. — Akin Gump’s Brendan Dunn, Sam Olswanger, Eric Ettorre, Jose Borjon, Virgil Miller and Casey Higgins will lobby on crypto legislation for the trade group. — Kia America has picked up its third outside firm, Covington & Burling. Nick Xenakis, a former general counsel for the Senate Judiciary Committee, will advise the South Korean automaker on the Inflation Reduction Act’s electric vehicle tax credit. The provision excludes companies who assemble EVs outside of North America or whose battery components meet certain supply chain requirements, sending companies like South Korea’s Kia and Hyundai and Korean battery makers LG Energy Solution, Samsung SDI and SK On scrambling . — South Korean media reported last month that Kia would shift its production to the U.S. starting in 2024 in order to qualify for the tax credit, while South Korean officials have raised the issues with their U.S. counterparts, and President Joe Biden has reportedly pledged to keep those discussions going in the meantime. Kia also retains Thorn Run Partners and Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr. Good afternoon and welcome to PI. Send tips: coprysko@politico.com . And be sure to follow me on Twitter: @caitlinoprysko .
| | A message from Altria: Moving beyond smoking. Altria’s companies are leading the way in moving adult smokers away from cigarettes – by taking action to transition millions toward less harmful choices. We are investing in a diverse mix of businesses to broaden options beyond traditional, combustible cigarettes. See how we’re moving. | | | DEPARTMENT OF PADDING YOUR RETIREMENT SAVINGS: The Washington Post’s Craig Whitlock and Nate Jones are out with a big new investigation today that examines the extent to which retired U.S. military brass have cashed in on their expertise by advising foreign governments over the years. — “More than 500 retired U.S. military personnel — including scores of generals and admirals — have taken lucrative jobs since 2015 working for foreign governments, mostly in countries known for human rights abuses and political repression,” according to the Post, which obtained more than 4,000 pages of documents detailing the hirings after a yearslong legal battle with the State Department and branches of the military. — Among the findings were that “two-thirds of the jobs taken by U.S. veterans have been in the Middle East and North Africa, where governments pay top dollar for American military expertise honed by two decades of war and counterterrorism operations in the Arab world,” including former high-ranking officers who worked as paid consultants for Saudi Arabia’s Defense Ministry, the United Arab Emirates , as well as Australia . — The Post also found that, despite foreign work requiring approval by both the Pentagon and State Department, that approval “is almost automatic,” while enforcement for unauthorized foreign work is “nonexistent.” MICHAEL TORREY REBRANDS: Ag-focused lobbying firm Michael Torrey Associates has rebranded to become the Torrey Advisory Group , a move aimed at reflecting “the breadth of experience we bring to our clients and our continued commitment to the food, agricultural, and forestry industry," Michael Torrey, the firm’s founder, said in a statement. — Torrey, a former USDA deputy chief of staff, launched the firm back in 2005 with a focus on food and agriculture lobbying, and last year saw its highest lobbying revenues yet with clients including the newly merged poultry conglomerate Wayne-Sanderson Farms , the American Beverage Association, fertilizer producer Mosaic Company and the Crop Insurance and Reinsurance Bureau. Its offerings have since expanded to include association management as well as other public affairs services. — “This industry is not what it was 20 years ago,” Torrey said. “As the needs of our clients have evolved, we have too, providing additional services to ensure their organization has the structure, vision, and expertise to remain successful for years to come.” NTCA ADDS A BIPARTISAN PAIR OF SENATE AIDES: NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association is preparing for whichever party controls the Senate next year, adding two new staffers from either side of the aisle in the chamber. Virdina Gibbs, who most recently served as counsel for Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), and Brendan Dailey, who has worked for Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) for nearly a decade, have joined the trade group as directors of government affairs. — The rural telecom trade group has also added Taylor Holland as digital communications manager and Blain Tesfaye has joined NTCA as policy analyst. Holland most recently worked as chief of staff to the chair of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors. SUPER PAC POLITICS: Puck’s Teddy Schleifer and Tara Palmeri report that “Priorities USA, the establishment PAC long preferred and blessed by the Bidens, Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama , is unlikely to be the main super PAC of choice next cycle ” should President Joe Biden mount a reelection bid. — “Instead, the White House is leaning toward Future Forward, a new Silicon Valley-backed entrant that shot out of a cannon last cycle and ended up spending a total of one-quarter of a billion dollars in the 2020 cycle.” — “The state of play is fluid, and some compromise may eventually be reached, but Future Forward is widely seen as having the inside track. The White House has been quietly nodding to donors to support the group in 2022, according to a Democratic fundraiser with direct knowledge of the conversations.” — The two groups have ties to different factions of Bidenworld: Anita Dunn disclosed past consulting work for Future Forward when she joined the White House this year. Her former firm SKDK has worked with the group, as has “GMMB, which was founded by Jim Margolis, an old Obama hand who was also an early backer of Kamala Harris.” — Meanwhile, Jen O’Malley Dillon, who ran Biden’s campaign and is now his deputy chief of staff, “is personally close with Priorities chairman Guy Cecil.” The consulting firm she helped launch, Precision Strategies, “placed $24 million worth of media buys for Priorities in the 2016 cycle.”
| | | | NEW AND IMPROVED POLITICO APP: Stay up to speed with the newly updated POLITICO mobile app, featuring timely political news, insights and analysis from the best journalists in the business. With a fresh look and improved features, the sleek and navigable design offers a convenient way to access POLITICO's scoops and groundbreaking reporting. Don’t miss out on the app you can rely on for the news you need, reimagined. Already a POLITICO app user? Upgrade today! DOWNLOAD FOR iOS – DOWNLOAD FOR ANDROID . | | | | | | | | — Megan Booth has joined the Mortgage Bankers Association as associate vice president for commercial/multifamily policy. She most recently was senior vice president for policy at the Manufactured Housing Institute and is a National Association of Realtors alum. — Christopher Krepich has joined ranking member Cathy McMorris Rodgers ’ (R-Wash.) staff on the Energy and Commerce Committee as press secretary. He was most recently communications director at Nahigian Strategies and is a Rep. Brad Wenstrup (R-Ohio) and Jim Sensenbrenner (R-Wis.) alum. — Christy Goldfuss is leaving the Center for American Progress to become chief policy impact officer at the Natural Resources Defense Council, per Morning Energy. Trevor Higgins will be CAP’s new senior vice president for energy and environment policy. — Kate Black, a longtime aide to FCC Chair Jessica Rosenworcel, has left the agency and is launching an advocacy and public affairs consulting firm called K. Black Strategies. — Brian Whitehurst is now head of regulatory affairs at Lukka. He was previously New York assistant attorney general for crypto and fintech regulatory compliance. — Alex Rosenwald is now senior communications director at The Hill. He previously was director of media relations at the Hudson Institute. — Deirdre Schifeling is the new national political director of the American Civil Liberties Union. She most recently was advocacy director in the White House Office of Political Strategy and Outreach, and is a Fight Back Table and Planned Parenthood alum. — Kara Graves is now partner in Wilkinson Barker Knauer’s D.C. office. She previously was vice president of regulatory affairs at CTIA. — Michael Wear has launched the Center for Christianity and Public Life , a new nonpartisan nonprofit, with chief of staff Phebe Meyer. — Caroline Swann is joining Invariant as chief people officer. She previously oversaw employee experience programming at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and is an RNC and Bush White House alum.
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American Citizens PAC (Super PAC)
Alaskans For Honest Government (Hybrid PAC)
BeHeard Pac (Hybrid PAC)
NEW PATRIOT SUPER POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE (PAC)
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Actum I, LLC: Altamed Health Services Corporation
Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld: Crypto Council For Innovation
Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld: Partnership To Address Global Emissions, Inc.
Atlas Crossing LLC: Amun-Ra Ventures, Inc. Dba Green Carbon
Atlas Crossing LLC: Integrate.Io
Ballard Partners: Socure Inc.
Ballard Partners: Total Green Tropicals, Inc.
Ben Barnes Group Lp: Viron Therapeutics
Bgr Government Affairs: Fortress Information Security, LLC
Bgr Government Affairs: Kellogg Company
Bgr Government Affairs: Oneweb Technologies
Bgr Government Affairs: Transamerica Companies
Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP: Kropp Holdings, Inc.
Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, LLP: Elementus Minerals, LLC
Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, LLP: United Rare Earths Inc.
Chic Productions, LLC: Smiths Detection Inc.
Covington & Burling LLP: Kia America, Inc.
Crosswinds Solutions: Sazerac Company Inc.
David Turch & Assoc.: Orange County Board Of Education
Dentons US LLP: Miami Childrens Health System, Inc.
Dentons US LLP: Pharmaceutical Industry Labor Management Association (Pilma)
Dentons US LLP: Pueblo Of Jemez
Dentons US LLP: Skincure Oncology, LLC
Dentons US LLP: University Of Miami
Dinino Associates, LLC: Cornerstone Government Affairs Obo Iridium Satellite LLC
Dla Piper LLP (US): Texas Education Agency
Farragut Partners LLP: Organize
Fierce Government Relations: Pepsico, Inc.
Foley Hoag LLP: T2 Biosystems
Hart Health Strategies: Alliance For Cell Therapy Now
Hart Health Strategies: Molecular Testing Labs On Behalf Of Ascendant Strategic Partners
Invariant LLC: Trust Stamp
Isthmus, LLC: Smith Advocacy Group On Behalf Of The Aleut Corporation
Isthmus, LLC: Windward Strategies On Behalf Of Fugro Nv
Kiley & Associates: City Of Jurupa Valley
Kyle House Group: Cummins Inc.
Manatos & Manatos: Saga Education
Masa Group, LLC: Immigration Hub
Mason Street Consulting, LLC: Akili Interactive
Mason Street Consulting, LLC: Physician Partners | Vip Care
Mclarty Inbound LLC: Glencore International Ag
Mlj Strategies: Ankura Consulting Group, LLC On Behalf Of Myland Agriculture
Mr. Jaime Steve: American Pipeline Contractors Association
Mr. Jaime Steve: National Utility Contractors Association
Mr. Jaime Steve: State Technical College Of Missouri
Ms. Marla Grossman: Covington & Burling On Behalf Of Apple Inc.
Owen Evans Ingols: Independence Hydrogen
Owen Evans Ingols: S&B Family Of Companies
Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP: Ad Hoc Utilities Group (Ahug)
Rasky Partners, Inc.: Electricfish
Rasky Partners, Inc.: Worcester Business Development Corporation
Reston Strategy Group, LLC: Pose Tech Corporation
Rushmore Strategic Advisors LLC: Alexander Manolev
Sims Strategies, LLC: Alliance Of Community Health Plans
Squire Patton Boggs: Alliance For Financing U.S. Infrastructure, Inc.
Sullivan Strategies LLC (Fka Sb Capitol Solutions): Skysafe, Inc
Venn Strategies: Charted Course
Venn Strategies: Einride
Venn Strategies: New Energy Technology Manufacturers Alliance
Venn Strategies: United Way Worldwide
| | New Lobbying Terminations | | Acg Advocacy: Bsa Business Software Alliance, Inc.
Acg Advocacy: Chamberlain Group
Adams And Reese, LLP: Deuce Drone LLC
Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld: Vr Global Partners L.P.
Baker Donelson Bearman Caldwell & Berkowitz/The Daschle Group: Thales Defense & Security Inc
Baker Donelson Bearman Caldwell & Berkowitz/The Daschle Group: Valisure
Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, LLP: Aditxt Inc.
Broydrick & Associates: Poly Technical Solutions
Broydrick & Associates: Watco Companies, LLC
Capitol Counsel LLC: Blue Origin, LLC
Covington & Burling LLP: Rebellion Defense, Inc.
Dentons Global Advisors Government Relations LLC: Wow Media Incorporated
Forbes-Tate: A Place For Mom, Inc.
Forbes-Tate: Ballard Partners On Behalf Of Southern Glazer Wine & Spirits
Forbes-Tate: Viemed Healthcare, Inc.
Gotham Government Relations: Eurasia Democracy Initiative
Ipolicy Solutions: Genedx, Inc.
Kite Tail Strategy: Skillful Communications
K&L Gates, LLP: City Light & Power, Inc.
Mcdermott Will & Emery LLP: American Dental Hygienists' Association
Messerli & Kramer, P.A.: Southwest Transit
Ms. Marla Grossman: Acg Advocacy On Behalf Of Chamberlain Group
Ms. Tami Wahl: Afg Distribution, Inc.
Owen Evans Ingols: Consortium Management Group
Owen Evans Ingols: Rim Services, LLC
Ricchetti Incorporated: Medigen Vaccine Biologics Corp.
Ricchetti Incorporated: Pardes Biosciences, Inc.
Shumaker Advisors Florida, LLC: Arctos
Squire Patton Boggs: Mednax Services, Inc.
Strategic Marketing Innovations: Ibeam Materials, Inc.
Strategic Marketing Innovations: Lubrizol Corporation
Strategies 360: Crow Canyon Archaeological Center
Strategies 360: Taloma Partners (On Behalf Of Buildstrong Education)
The Roosevelt Group: Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld On Behalf Of Bloom Energy
The Roosevelt Group: Pegasus Steel LLC
The Smith-Free Group, LLC: National Strategies, LLC On Behalf Of Romeo Power, Inc
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From cigarettes to innovative alternatives. By investing in a diverse mix of businesses, Altria is working to further broaden options. Our companies are encouraging adult smokers to transition to a range of choices that go beyond traditional, combustible cigarettes.
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