• AVIATION. Alaska Airlines has brought on a former top aide to a powerful Senate Democrat. Washington2 Advocates’ Jeff Bjornstad, once chief of staff to Senate Budget Committee Chairwoman Patty Murray (D-Wash.), is lobbying for the airline on “aviation, appropriations and budget,” according to lobbying disclosure records.
• DEFENSE. Oshkosh Corp. has hired William Stone, once chief of staff to ex-Rep. David Obey (D-Wis.), of Jefferson Business Consulting to lobby on “heavy duty & access equipment manufacturing.”
{mosads}• EDUCATION. The National Alliance for Public Charter Schools has hired the Raben Group to lobby on “appropriations for Charter School Program in FY 2015 budget.” Sunil Mansukhani, a former senior Education Department official, and Christina Weaver, once legislative counsel to Rep. Shelia Jackson Lee (D-Texas), are among the lobbyists on the account.
• ENERGY. The National Biodiesel Board has strengthened its lobbying team. Podesta Group, with lobbyist Ed Rothschild, has signed up with the trade group to lobby on “renewable fuel standards.” The biodiesel’s group K Street roster also includes Van Ness Feldman, Alpine Group, Washington Council Ernst & Young, Bingham McCutchen and Polsinelli PC.
• FINANCIAL SERVICES. Kroll Bond Rating Agency Inc. has contracted with Cypress Advocacy to lobby on the Dodd-Frank law’s changes related to credit agencies as well as housing reform. Patrick Cave, once a senior Treasury Department official, and Brant Imperatore, former senior counsel to the House Financial Services Committee, are representing the rating agency.
• LABOR. Security guards have hired some K Street protection. The National Armored Car Association signed Ulman Public Policy & Federal Relations to lobby on several issues, including “union formation/representation for security guards,” “use of criminal and credit background checks in employment processes,” and “training requirements for security guards.” Lobbyists representing the trade group include Jennifer Ortega, once a staff assistant to Rep. Todd Rokita (R-Ind.), and Christi Layman, a former House Judiciary Committee aide.
•TELECOMMUNICATIONS. Goodman Networks Inc., the Plano, Texas, technology systems provider, has hired a former congressman. Jon Christensen, once a Republican House member from Nebraska, will be lobbying for the company on “Department of Commerce FirstNet NTIA FCC.”