Lobbying world

Navigators Global announced that former Rep. Denver Riggleman (R-Va.) has joined the firm as a senior strategist. Riggleman was elected in 2018 and lost his reelection bid two years later.

Southwest Airlines said Leslie Abbott, previously assistant general counsel in the company’s legal department, will lead the new regulatory affairs team in the governmental affairs department.

Real estate advocacy group Nareit promoted John Jones to senior vice president of government relations. Jones, who has been with the trade group since 2018, was previously vice president of government relations. Before that he was chief of staff to Rep. Emanuel Cleaver (D-Mo.).

Lobbying firm Kountoupes, Denham, Carr & Reid hired Denise Mousouris as a principal. Mousouris previously was senior finance adviser to Rep. Cheri Bustos (D-Ill.) for two years and was the national finance director for Friends of Cheri Bustos.

Arnold & Porter announced that Mark Epley has joined the firm’s legislative and public policy practice as a partner. Epley previously was chief legal officer of the Managed Funds Association and before that was senior adviser and general counsel for ex-Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.).

K&L Gates named Scott Gelbman and George Riccardo government affairs analysts. Gelbman was previously an account director at the communications firm BCW and before that was a legislative aide to Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.). Riccardo previously was senior policy adviser to former Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao during the Trump administration.

Holland & Knight added Suzanne Joy as a senior public affairs adviser in the firm’s public policy and regulation practice group. Joy previously was senior regulatory affairs associate at the American College of Physicians and before that was associate director of government affairs for the Medical Group Management Association.