Former Ryan aide moves to K street

Brendan Buck, a former counselor to ex-Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.), is joining Blue Engine Message & Media + JDA Frontline as a partner.

While with Ryan, Buck led messaging and communications strategy. He also previously worked as the press secretary for former Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio).

{mosads}Blue Engine + JDA is a D.C.-based strategic communications and public affairs firm. Blue Engine and JDA merged in October 2018 and the firm currently has 25 people on their team.

“Blue Engine + JDA is home to a deep, talented team and an equally impressive roster of clients,” Buck said in a press release. “This firm operates at a high level, and I’m eager to get to work with my new colleagues to help our clients achieve their communications goals.”

While working with Ryan, Buck worked on the messaging behind the GOP tax bill. He has also worked for the House Ways and Means Committee and for now-Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.), ex-Rep. Tom Price (R-Ga.) and Rep. Greg Walden (R-Ore.).

Buck joins a list of Ryan aides who since moved into positions on K street following the Speaker’s retirement in January.

Former senior adviser to the Speaker Joyce Meyer is the executive vice president of government relations for the American Council of Life Insurers (ACLI) and former general counsel, Mark Epley, is the executive vice president and general counsel of Managed Funds Association.