Export-Import Bank

Bio, via Bachus & Brom, LLC:

Mr. Bachus graduated from Auburn University in 1969 and began his legal career in 1973 after graduating from the University of Alabama School of Law. While in law school, Mr. Bachus earned the Somerville Prize for distinguished legal scholarship. Mr. Bachus served in the Alabama National Guard from 1969 to 1971, during the Vietnam War, while attending law school. Mr. Bachus maintained a private law practice until he was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1992. As a member of the U.S. House of Representatives, Mr. Bachus won appointment to such important committees as Transportation and Infrastructure, Judiciary, and the Financial Services Committee. His accomplishments for his district and state include his work on I-22, the Northern Beltline, and other major highway and infrastructure projects ; the establishment of the National Computer Forensics Institute; the creation of the Cahaba River National Wildlife Refuge; and the construction of the Alabama National Cemetery to honor veterans and their families. Selected by his Republican colleagues as their leader on the Financial Services Committee as Ranking Member and Chairman (2006-2012), Mr. Bachus assumed his responsibilities as the U.S. financial system confronted its greatest challenges since the 1930s. Working with a strong team of committee members and his highly-respected committee staff, Mr. Bachus strove to find solutions to the critical issues facing the nation’s economy. During the depths of the crisis in Fall 2008, Mr. Bachus advocated capital injections to help stabilize the financial sector, the approach ultimately adopted by the Treasury Department. According to Act of Congress by Robert Kaiser, Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson “asked his staff to figure out how to do just what Spencer Bachus had suggested on September 18…” Bachus was named Chairman Emeritus of the Committee for the 113th Congress. The legislative accomplishments of Mr. Bachus include the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions (FACT) Act, deposit insurance reform, Check 21, the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act, and originating the provisions that became the Jumpstart Our Business Startups (JOBS) Act. One of his proudest legacies is debt relief, which has been credited with reducing hunger and poverty in poor countries and which the singer and humanitarian activist Bono wrote in a private note has allowed more than 51 million children to attend school. A voice for racial understanding and reconciliation, Mr. Bachus received the Houghton-Lewis Leadership Award from the Faith and Politics Institute. As Dean of the Alabama delegation, he worked on a bipartisan basis with his Birmingham area colleague, Representative Terri Sewell, to authorize a Congressional Gold Medal honoring the Four Little Girls who died in the civil rights movement era bombing of the 16th Street Baptist Church.

Bio, via Politico:

Kristene Blake will be executive secretary at the Export-Import Bank. She previously was director of administration for House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) and is also a John Boehner alum. … TJ Helmstetter is joining Protect Our Care as director of campaign communications. He’s an Americans for Tax Fairness and DNC alum.

Bio, via LinkedIn:

Brian Marriott is a Senior Communications and Government Relations Executive with 20 years experience in the public and private sectors, specializing in Media Relations, Public Outreach, and Grass Roots/Coalitions. His dynamic projects included advising leaders in the US Congress, White House, and several federal government agencies. Brian has managed several political campaigns in Missouri and has been a registered lobbyist and communications advisor in private industry. Brian was previously Special Assistant to Chairman Michael Powell and Kevin Martin at the Federal Communications Commission, was an integral part of the White House Advance Office for 8 years, Political Director of Missouri in 2000, and the Vice President’s Lead Advance Representative during the 2004 campaign. Most recently Brian is a Senior Advisor with Raptor Strategies, where he leads major client campaigns in communications planning, government relations, public affairs, high-impact story placement and grass roots/coalitions. He continues to regularly counsel clients on navigating their public policy and business agenda through the national media and public/government outreach. Brian has coached top executives in Fortune 500 companies, advocacy organizations, and business coalitions. His government and public relations experience includes working with public figures, celebrities, and national grass roots campaign projects. In addition, Brian has been heavily involved in policy debates and crisis communications campaigns on food safety, the aftermath of 9/11, Homeland Security, and Veterans issues. Brian’s reputation for successfully navigating the complexities of mass communication has also made him a sought-after media trainer and coach. Brian has been recognized as an influential communications executive and political operative by several Capitol Hill newspapers, magazines, and trade publications.

Bio, via Overseas Private Investment Corporation:

Ms. Pryor brings to OPIC more than 25 years of experience in marketing and corporate communications, specifically in corporate branding, messaging and visual identity for multinational companies with markets in Asia, the Middle East, Africa, western Europe and the United States. From international start-ups to Fortune 500 companies, her work has focused on the high tech, broadcast and satellite communications industries. Before joining OPIC, Ms. Pryor spent nearly a decade with WorldSpace Inc., a multi-billion dollar satellite radio start-up company servicing developing markets worldwide. As Senior Vice President for global corporate affairs, her work included establishing marketing and communications functions in 11 international offices, taking the company public, serving as corporate spokesperson, and spearheading the strategy and execution for the company’s global brand. Ms. Pryor held similar positions with COMSAT and Orion Network Systems and has worked with respected advertising and public relations firms. She began her career in the Washington offices of Gray & Company continuing with the firm after its acquisition by Hill & Knowlton Public Affairs. A native of Cleveland, Ohio, Ms. Pryor holds a B.A. in Communications from Bowling Green State University.

Bio, via U.S. Department of the Treasury:

Reed has served as senior adviser to both Secretary Paulson and Secretary John W. Snow since May 2004. As senior adviser, she provided counsel on key policy matters, including tax and economic issues. Reed also has played a key role in coordinating issues within the Department and its Bureaus, including the CDFI Fund, as well as with the White House and other agencies, and was involved in the day-to-day management of Departmental operations. Reed served as counsel and professional staff to three U.S. House of Representatives committees from 1997 to 2004, including the Ways and Means Committee, the Government Reform Committee and the Education and the Workforce Committee. While at the Ways and Means Committee, she conducted oversight reviews of various issues within the Committee's jurisdiction, including Treasury and Internal Revenue Service policies and procedures, tax incentive programs for economically distressed communities, the activities of tax-exempt organizations, and the charitable response to September 11. Originally from Buckhannon, West Virginia, Reed graduated in 1996 with a Juris Doctor degree from West Virginia University College of Law. In 1993, she graduated from WesleyanCollege with dual degrees in biology and government. Reed received the 2004 West Virginia Wesleyan College Young Alumni Achievement Award, and, in 2006, Secretary Snow awarded her the Secretary's Honor Award.