Lobbying World: Nikki Haley heads to the Hudson Institute

Former South Carolina Gov. and United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley will join the Hudson Institute as the conservative think tank’s next Walter P. Stern chair. The move comes just over a month after she dropped out of the Republican presidential primary race, officially clearing former President Trump’s path to the nomination.

“Nikki is a proven, effective leader on both foreign and domestic policy,” Hudson President and CEO John Walters said in a statement. “In an era of worldwide political upheaval, she has remained a steadfast defender of freedom and an effective advocate for American security and prosperity. We are honored to have her join the Hudson team.”

Janene Jackson is now executive partner of Holland & Knight’s Washington, D.C., office. Jackson, who also serves as president of the D.C. Bankers Association and is on the board of directors of the D.C. Chamber of Commerce, will replace David Whitestone, who this month kicked off his term as managing partner on the firm’s executive leadership team.

Husch Blackwell Strategies has added Michael Slatin as a principal in the firm’s public affairs group. Slatin was most recently a senior vice president and senior partner at FleishmanHillard in St. Louis.

Kyle Shelly is joining General Motors as director of federal affairs. Shelly was most recently a public policy manager at GM Financial.

Amy Strope has joined Madison Services Group, Inc. as a director of government relations. Strope joins from Ferring Pharmaceuticals, where she helped launch the biopharmaceutical company’s government relations team, and was previously a senior business development manager at the legal giant Covington & Burling LLP.

Catherine Boland is now director of government affairs at LKQ Corporation. Boland previously served as vice president of legislative affairs in the advocacy office at MEMA, the Vehicle Suppliers Association, and spent a decade in the Senate on the legislative staffs of the late Sen. George Voinovich (R-Ohio) and former Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.).

Shawn Rumery will join the Solar and Storage Industries Institute (SI2) as senior program director. Rumery joins SI2 after nearly 13 years at the Solar Energy Industries Association, where he was most recently senior director of research.

The National Retail Federation has promoted David French from senior vice president to executive vice president of government relations and executive director of the National Council of Chain Restaurants.

Mike Glymph is joining Monument Advocacy as vice president of government relations in the firm’s food and agriculture practice. Glymph was previously manager of government relations at the multinational spirits and beer company Diageo and the director of government relations for the influential hunger relief group Feeding America.

Invariant is adding Matthew Fery to its government relations team, where he will help clients navigate Ways and Means Committee issues. Fery was most recently chief of staff for former Rep. Brian Higgins (D-N.Y.), who was a member of the House Ways and Means and Budget Committees before he resigned in February.

David Planning, most recently floor director to House Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-Minn.), is joining Cornerstone Government Affairs‘ federal government relations team later this month. A former special assistant to the president for legislative affairs during the Trump administration, Planning previously served as the Republican staff director on the House Small Business Committee, deputy director of coalitions and member services for the House Financial Services Committee, floor assistant to then-House Majority Whip Steve Scalise (R-La.), special assistant to then-House Chief Deputy Whip Patrick McHenry (R-N.C.) and staff assistant for former Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wisc.).

Greta Peisch and Diana Shaw are joining Wiley Rein LLP as partners in the firm’s international trade and white collar practices. Peisch most recently served as general counsel for the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR), and she was previously senior international trade counsel for the Senate Finance Committee. Shaw was most recently acting inspector general for the Department of State and is a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Office of Inspector General alum.

Lucas Adair has joined the government affairs practice group at Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP as a senior adviser. Recognized on The Hill’s Top Lobbyists list in 2023 for his previous role at Keller Partners, Adair previously served as a policy adviser to the Under Secretary of Education.

Lot Sixteen welcomes Austin Laufersweiler as senior director. Austin was most recently the senior communications manager for the Partnership for Public Service, and he was previously communications director for Rep. Andy Levin (D-Mich.), the congressional campaign spokesman for the Michigan Democratic Party and a press secretary for Let America Vote.

Tara Rush is joining LSG as a partner and the chief communications and brand officer. Rush was most recently chief marketing officer and chief communications officer at Audi.

Updated at 1:47 p.m. EDT