Mehlman Castagnetti nabs senior Senate aide

Mike Collins, a longtime aide to Sen. Tom Udall (D-N.M.), is leaving Capitol Hill to join the K Street ranks at Mehlman Castagnetti Rosen & Thomas, the firm plans to announce on Tuesday.

{mosads}Collins has served as Udall’s chief of staff since 2012 but has worked for the senator for 15 years, including serving as a campaign advisor.

“Whether working in the majority or minority, Mike has demonstrated a strong ability to build coalitions and get things done on both sides of the Capitol,” said David Castagnetti, the firm’s co-founder, in a statement.

Collins, who also served as the deputy chief of staff and legislative director for Udall in the House and Senate, led the way in the office’s effort to reform the nation’s toxic chemical regulations.

Udall ultimately became a chief architect — working together with Republican Sen. David Vitter (La.) — of the Toxic Substance Control Act overhaul compromise, taking over a goal of the late Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-N.J.), who died in 2013.

While on Capitol Hill, Collins also worked on healthcare and technology policy and other environmental issues.

“He has earned a strong reputation for sound strategic insight, effective communication, and his deep knowledge of a broad array of policy matters,” Castagnetti said.

Mehlman Castagnetti Rosen & Thomas, a bipartisan firm, is one of Washington’s top-grossing lobbying shops. It earned nearly $11.2 million in advocacy fees last year.

Clients include America’s Health Insurance Plans (AHIP), Wal-Mart Stores, the Business Roundtable, Edison Electric Institute, Hewlett-Packard, United Technologies and the gun control advocacy group Everytown for Gun Safety Action Fund.

The firm recently lost one of its top Democratic lobbyists focused on the Senate, Kelly Bingel, a former chief of staff to former Sen. Blanche Lincoln (D-Ark.), who struck out on her own. Her new firm, Mustang Government Strategies, was announced earlier this month.