Lobbying World: Democratic White House alum launches public affairs firm

Sam Myers Jr. has launched Place Public Affairs. He most recently was managing director at Rational 360 and previously worked in the White House for President Biden and former Presidents Obama and Clinton.

“I have built a substantial advocacy network all across the U.S. through my work for clients at some of the most prestigious communications agencies in the U.S., multiple White Houses, and 25 years of presidential campaigns,” Myers wrote in a LinkedIn post. “I’m thrilled to now mobilize it through Place Public Affairs to align public policies and public sentiment closer to our clients’ business interests.”

BGR Group announced a new strategic partnership with the Nashville-based public affairs firm BHA Strategy, led by BHA’s Blake Harris, former chief of staff to Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee (R).

Amanda Perl will be the next CEO of the American Society of Human Genetics. She was most recently executive director of the American Thyroid Association.

Connor Murphy is joining Schagrin Associates as deputy government affairs director. He was most recently legislative director for former Rep. Bill Johnson (R-Ohio) and previously worked for Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa).

Joe Boddicker has joined Alston & Bird as counsel in the firm’s federal and international tax group. He was a tax counsel for the Senate Finance Committee and a law clerk for the U.S. Tax Court.