Lobbying World: Public policy group adds another firm 

Welcome to Lobbying World, The Hill’s weekly roundup of the shifting tides of influence in Washington, D.C., and beyond.

Sarah Wills has been named CEO of Concordant, a policy and communications firm launched Monday by the Public Policy Holding Company (PPHC). Wills was most recently executive vice president and chief corporate affairs officer at Cardinal Health. Concordant is the eighth independent firm under the PPHC umbrella, which includes Forbes Tate, Crossroads, Seven Letter, Alpine Group, O’Neill and Associates, KP Public Affairs and Multistate Associates. 

Rob Engstrom is now president of the American Free Enterprise Chamber of Commerce (AmFree Chamber), the business group backed by former Attorney General Bill Barr. Engstrom, who previously founded the strategic advisory firm Wolfe Street Partners, spent nearly two decades at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and is a Republican National Committee and Speaker Gingrich alum.

Ray Cole is joining the University of Alabama System as vice chancellor for federal affairs after 24 years at the government affairs firm Van Scoyoc Associates. The University of Alabama alum is also a former senior staffer to former Sen. Richard Shelby (R-Ala.) and adviser at the Commerce Department.

Justin Hakes joined the National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies as vice president of public affairs. Hakes has worked at the Consumer Data Industry Association, the American Council of Life Insurers and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America promoted Nathan Riedel to senior vice president of federal government affairs. Riedel was previously vice president of political affairs at the major insurance association and he previously worked with the National Republican Congressional Committee and former Rep. John Ensign (R-N.V.).

The National Marine Manufacturers Association welcomed Robyn Boerstling as senior vice president of government relations. Boerstling previously worked as a vice president at the National Association of Manufacturers and at the Department of Transportation.

Coinbase’s Global Advisory Council added former Defense Secretary Mark Esper, former Rep. Stephanie Murphy (D-Fla.), BGR Group Managing Director David Urban and adviser Frances Townsend. The cryptocurrency exchange platform launched the council in May and includes inaugural members former Sen. Patrick Toomey (R-Pa.) and former Reps. Tim Ryan (D-Ohio) and Sean Patrick Maloney (D-N.Y.).