Lobbying world

The National Association of Business Political Action Committees named Micaela A. Isler its executive director. She takes over for Geoff Ziebart, who announced earlier this year that he would be leaving the association after more than 22 years at the helm. Isler previously was assistant vice president for state government relations at the American Property Casualty Insurance Association.

D.C.-based law firm Miller & Chevalier elected Kathryn Cameron Atkinson its new firm chair. She was the chair of the firm’s international department and succeeds Marc J. Gerson, who will continue to lead the firm’s federal tax policy practice.

Ed Niles is TargetSmart’s new director of digital and media. He previously was the lead media strategist at Blue Labs and was data and analytics director for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee’s 2014 independent expenditure program.

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The International Premium Cigar & Pipe Retailers is rebranding as the Premium Cigar Association. The rebrand includes a new logo and website and enhanced communications efforts. The association was originally founded in 1933 as the Retail Tobacco Dealers of America and has rebranded three times since.

Chelsey Penrod Hickman was named a partner at government relations firm Winning Strategies Washington (WSW). Penrod joined WSW in 2013 and previously was chief of staff to Rep. Kay Granger (R-Texas) and an appropriations staffer for ex-Sen. Larry Craig (R-Idaho).

The Broadband Association appointed Brandon Heiner senior vice president of government affairs. Heiner was previously at CenturyLink for eight years.

Mark Williams, former chief of staff to Rep. Mike Conaway (R-Texas), was named a principal at Ferox Strategies. He also was legislative director to ex-Rep. Sam Johnson (R-Texas) and chief of staff to former Rep. Todd Rokita (R-Ind.)

Sempra Energy named Brian Kelly vice president of federal government affairs. He previously was founder and president of consulting firm BK Strategies and before that was a senior director of America’s Natural Gas Alliance.