McGuireWoods Consulting Expands National Capabilities with Three Additions to Team

WASHINGTON, Nov. 4, 2010 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- McGuireWoods Consulting (MWC) today announced it has added two seasoned public affairs professionals and a former Georgia state senator to its expanding roster. In Washington, Marty Machowsky joins as a senior vice president of Strategic Communications and Joe Jaso as a vice president in the group's Federal Public Affairs group. In Atlanta, former state senator Eric Johnson (R-Savannah) will consult for the MWC Georgia Government Relations team.

Machowsky, who worked for Edelman prior to establishing his own firm – 90Degree Communications – will lead the firm's Strategic Communications division. Jaso comes to McGuireWoods Consulting from Dutko Worldwide and will focus on representing McGuireWoods Consulting's global network of clients and growing the firm's National Government Relations practice.   

"These are great additions to our group. In Washington, I'm very excited about the arrival of Marty and Joe, as they will help us exponentially in our efforts to expand our presence in the Washington area and nationally. Meanwhile, in Atlanta, Senator Johnson is a well-respected leader who enjoyed a reputation of reaching across the aisle to get things done," said L.F. Payne, president of McGuireWoods Consulting.  "These additions will increase our visibility and strengthen our ability to provide high-level client service."

The arrival of Machowsky, Jaso and Sen. Johnson coincides with McGuireWoods Consulting's strategic plan to grow its national government relations capabilities by providing its comprehensive suite of public affairs services in state capitols across the country and Washington. The National/Multistate practice is led by Jim Hodges, former Governor of South Carolina, and Jerry Kilgore, former Attorney General of Virginia.

Machowsky is a veteran communicator with more than 30 years' experience in communications, public affairs and consumer affairs firms, and federal and county government where he served as legislative director for Congressman Rick Boucher and chief of staff to Audrey Moore, the chairman of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors. He has extensive knowledge and expertise representing and advising clients in the areas of public affairs and marketing communications, technology, financial services, health care policy issues, and public relations and new media strategies.

Jaso brings a wealth of experience to the group's growing federal practice in Washington, working in the political arena for the past 17 years.  At Dutko Worldwide, he was responsible for working with clients at all levels of government, assisting them with procurement, policy, legislation and political activity. Prior to his work at Dutko, Jaso served as the director of Government Affairs for the Republican National Committee. In that capacity, he directed the RNC's efforts on Capitol Hill and with state and local elected officials.

"Marty's arrival adds an integral new component to McGuireWoods Consulting's service capabilities in the Washington, DC office," said Frank Donatelli, director of the firm's Federal Public Affairs team. "I've known Joe for a number of years from his work at the RNC and his experience and relationships will be invaluable to our clients as well as the firm."

Senator Johnson will join the group as an associated consultant, while still continuing his architecture practice at Hussey, Gay, Bell & DeYoung. He recently resigned his Senate seat after serving for 18 years in the Georgia General Assembly to run for Governor. He was first elected to the House in 1992, and represented the 1^st District in the Georgia Senate since 1994. As a senator he held numerous leadership positions including President Pro Tempore (2003-09), Chair of the Ethics Committee (2009), Minority Leader (1998-2002) and Minority Whip (1996-98).

Founded in 1998, McGuireWoods Consulting LLC is a full-service public affairs firm offering government relations, strategic communications & grassroots, and infrastructure and economic development services.  McGuireWoods Consulting is a subsidiary of the McGuireWoods law firm, named one of the "most prestigious" firms in the world by the Vault Guide to Top 100 Law Firms, 2008. McGuireWoods Consulting has offices in Washington, Richmond, Virginia, McLean, Virginia, Atlanta, Chicago, Raleigh, North Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina, Springfield, Illinois, and Bucharest, Romania.  For more information, visit McGuireWoods Consulting's website at www.mcguirewoodsconsulting.com.

SOURCE McGuireWoods Consulting