Experts

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QGA has a bipartisan team of roughly 20 seasoned government relations and public relations specialists. Our team represents decades of experience in the legislative, political and communication arenas. With a roster that includes former senior White House and congressional staff, attorneys, journalists, TV producers and public relations executives, we are uniquely qualified to help clients navigate the intricacies of the legislative process, craft compelling narratives and deliver full-scale public affairs campaigns for the Washington, D.C., market and beyond.

In addition to the rich experiences in policy and the private sector, our experts have a long track record of political engagement. Firm members take a continued, active role in government and political campaigns – from serving as members of steering committees, volunteers, advisors and strategists. This diversity of experience provides our team with a wider range of contacts and our clients a 360-degree view of policy issues.

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Sue is one of QGA's senior communications strategists, bringing nearly 20 years of experience in public affairs and public relations to her work on behalf of QGA clients. She is an expert at crisis and issues management and specializes in corporate strategy and development of broad-based public education programs. She also has significant experience working on energy, environmental, healthcare, high-tech and biotech issues.

During the course of her career, Sue has been involved in issues as varied as crisis management surrounding the introduction of new reformulated gasolines; public education on electricity deregulation; communications for major corporate mergers and proxy campaigns; and issues management around new product introductions.

Prior to joining QGA in 2001, Sue was a Managing Director and member of the public affairs leadership team at Burson-Marsteller, a global public relations agency. There she worked on numerous energy, chemical and transportation issues and clients. She began her career in Washington as a writer for the Chemical Specialties Manufacturers Association. Sue graduated from the American University in Washington, D.C., with a degree in journalism.

 

Jim most recently served as the senior communications advisor and spokesman for the Senate Majority Leader, where he spent six years at the nexus of communications, politics and policy for every issue facing the Senate. As a strategist, he worked with the White House and leadership in the House of Representatives to set the Democratic tone for legislative initiatives. As the Leader's top spokesman, he dealt extensively with the national and regional media on a daily basis to advance the Democratic agenda. He is a regarded as a top Democratic strategist in Washington and continues to serve as a trusted resource for many of the nation's leading reporters.

With a keen understanding of the dynamics on Capitol Hill, Jim has helped QGA clients translate corporate and communications strategies into a message that resonates with Congressional offices and the national media. He has years of experience building the broad and diverse coalitions necessary to enact significant legislation, and brings that expertise to QGA.

Before he was tapped to join Reid's leadership office, Jim spent nearly 12 years as press secretary for Sen. Edward M. Kennedy (D-MA) and the United States Senate Committee on Health, Education Labor and Pensions. In that role, he worked on communications and press strategies for legislation, including minimum wage and pension reform, reauthorizations of the Individuals with Disabilities in Education Act (IDEA), the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), and No Child Left Behind. Prior to that, Jim worked in the press office of then Majority Leader George Mitchell (D-ME).