Collins leaves NRSC for GOP lobby firm

The S-3 Group, a boutique GOP lobby firm, announced on Thursday that it has snagged Rob Collins, the executive director of the National Republican Senatorial Committee.

Collins departs from the NRSC following a victorious 2014 midterm election for Senate Republicans, in which the party was able to pick up 9 seats — more than needed to regain a majority in the upper chamber.

“The S-3 Group in a short period of time has carved a niche as boutique firm that delivers results for their clients in a professional and smart way,” he said in a release. Collins will serve as a senior principal at the firm.

{mosads}He says that he and one of the firm’s founders, John Scofield, have a long history together that helped his decision to make the jump.

“Personally, John and I have been friends for years and served as each others’ best men at our weddings, so this will be an exciting and fun next chapter of my professional life,” Collins said.

Prior to joining the NRSC, Collins worked at the bipartisan public affairs firm Purple Strategies. He is also known for having helped launch and run the American Action Network, a prominent conservative outside group, and as a chief of staff to former House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-Va.).

“I couldn’t be more excited for Rob to join our firm,” said Scofield, a former senior staffer with the House Appropriations Committee. “He is a game-changer and a super thoughtful strategist who knows DC and all of the players. He will add tremendous value for our clients and causes.”

Lisa Kramer, also from the NRSC, will be coming to the S-3 Group as well.

The firm, founded in 2011, made about $3.43 million in lobbying revenue in 2013, according to disclosure filings compiled by the Center for Responsive Politics. Through the first three quarters of 2014, it received $2.91 million in lobbying fees.

One of its co-founders, Jeff Shockey, left in December to become the staff director for the House Intelligence Committee under its new chairman, Rep. Devin Nunes (R-Calif.).

But the S-3 Group is still replete with high-level Washington players, including former GOP House and Senate leadership staffer Mike Ference, who also worked for the new chair of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, Sen. James Inhofe (R-Okla.). In addition to Scofield’s appropriations expertise, Martin Delgado adds another level of expertise in that area, having senior roles within the House Appropriations Committee and a Senate appropriations subcommittee.

The firm recently moved into a new building, a revamped townhouse in the Eastern Market neighborhood close to Capitol Hill. 

—This post was upated at 10:29 a.m.