INFRASTRUCTURE. Nonprofit tourist service provider Navy Pier recently hired Invariant to work on federal funding for infrastructure development and tourism promotion issues, according to disclosures. Nicole Venable, former chief of staff to ex-Rep. William Jefferson (D-La.); Annie Palisi, former chief of staff to former Rep. Diane Black (R-Tenn.); and Mark Friedmann, former director of operations at the Office of Presidential Personnel, will work on the account.
HOMELAND SECURITY. Benchmark Electronics Inc. hired Westmoreland160 LLC to work on mobile video surveillance systems and homeland security appropriations issues. William Rice, onetime military legislative assistant to former Rep. Bill Young (R-Fla.), will work on the account.
ENVIRONMENT. Lake Pontchartrain Basin Foundation, an environmental sustainability company based in New Orleans, hired the Picard Group to work on crab trap removal programs, water quality, sewage and runoff, and coastal restoration and mitigation issues. Hunter Hall, former regional director to Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.), will work on the account.
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TRADE. Progressive Packaging Solutions Inc. hired Winning Strategies Washington to work on trade issues. Chelsey Hickman, former chief of staff to Rep. Kay Granger (R-Texas), will work on the account.
LABOR. The International Brotherhood of Teamsters, based in D.C., hired 1600 GROUP LLC to work on the Rehabilitation for Multiemployer Pensions Act. Bradley Blakeman, former deputy assistant to President George W. Bush, will work on the account.