Lobbying world

R.C. Hammond, a spokesman for Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, said in a tweet that Tuesday would be his last day on the job. He is returning to the Herald Group, a strategic consulting firm where he previously worked. He’s also worked for Hill + Knowlton Strategies and served as a spokesman for Newt Gingrich’s 2012 presidential run.

Two former aides to Senate Republican and Democratic leadership have founded their own firm, the Klein/Johnson Group. Matt Johnson previously worked for Senate Majority Whip John Cornyn (R-Texas) and Izzy Klein formerly worked for Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.). Johnson most recently worked at the Podesta Group, where he led the tech, telecom and IP practice. Klein is coming from Roberti Global: Irizarry-Klein-Roberti. The new firm’s first clients include Oracle, First Data and the Civitas Capital Group.

{mosads}Seth Statler is now running the Washington office for the National Fire Protection Association and has become the organization’s director of government affairs. Before that, he served as the associate administrator of the Office of Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs at NASA. He previously worked at U.S. Customs and Border Protection and for Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-Md.). He is a member of a volunteer fire department and a board member for the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation.  

Parker Poe Consulting, a wholly owned subsidiary of Parker Poe Adams & Bernstein, has tapped Chuck McMullen and Amy Odom to lead its Atlanta office. The duo brings an association with top K Street firm, BGR Group.

Danielle Burr has been named head of federal affairs at Uber, leaving the lobbying firm Peck Madigan Jones. She previously worked for House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.).

Chris Smith joined Cheniere as senior vice president for policy, government and public affairs. Before that, he worked as the assistant secretary for fossil energy at the Energy Department. 

The Public Affairs Council is bringing on Chris Bender, formerly vice president at public affairs firm Adfero, to lead the group’s executive education programs, member services and research on management practices