James J. Hickey

President

James Hickey is Vice President for Government Affairs for Day & Zimmermann, a family of companies dedicated to accelerating customer success by delivering trusted services and products to both its commercial and government clients. Day & Zimmermann, in business since 1901, is the 53rd largest privately-held, family-owned business in the US. It employs 24,000 professionals and conducts over $2.7 billion in annual revenues by providing industrial, defense and workforce solutions.  Day & Zimmermann is headquartered in Philadelphia.

Mr. Hickey has been the VP of Government Affairs and head of the Washington office of Day & Zimmermann since 2004.  Prior to that, he worked for the Raytheon Company for 14 years, leaving as Director of Congressional Affairs. He originally came to Washington in 1986 serving first for a Member of the House of Representatives (Congressman Herb Bateman; VA-1) from 1986-89 where he handled a portfolio that included defense, foreign affairs, and intelligence issues, and then served as staff in the Senate (Senator Pete Domenici) in 1990 where his portfolio was primarily defense and energy authorization and appropriations.

Jim has regularly taught Government Relations and Congressional Affairs over the past 25 years and has been a speaker on the topic for a number of seminars and conferences worldwide.  He resides in northern Virginia with his wife Cindy and son Ethan Hunter.

Lynne Jones Batshon

Officer

Lynne Jones Batshon is the Director of Policy & Practice for The Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA). Lynne oversees and executes the activities that define the society’s legislative and regulatory agendas. She also established and manages SHEA’s grassroots program. Lynne serves as the primary staff liaison to stakeholder coalitions in infectious diseases, public health, and other healthcare policy communities. She also provides SHEA’s leadership with strategic guidance for executing SHEA’s policy initiatives and messaging.

Prior to SHEA, Lynne served as the Director of Policy & Advocacy for the American Society of Consultant Pharmacists where she was responsible for overseeing the society’s policy agenda and grassroots program. She was also the director of the ASCP Political Action Committee. Lynne also previously worked for the Society of Chemical Manufacturers and Affiliates (SOCMA) where she provided compliance and regulatory support on EPA and FDA regulations for specialty chemical manufacturers. She represented active pharmaceutical ingredients manufacturers on issues related to drug ingredient quality and drug import safety. Lynne holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Studies with a concentration in Economics from Allegheny College.

Emil Pitkin

Officer

Emil Pitkin is the CEO of GovPredict, the platform government relations professionals rely on to maximize their influence. GovPredict serves trade associations, corporations, federal agencies, Congressional offices, campaigns, lobby firms, and opposition research firms. Spanning the federal, state, and local verticals, with coverage of legislation, regulations, social media, grassroots, and PAC development, GovPredict has been called the first true one stop shop in DC. It is headquartered in the Hall of the States in Washington, DC.

Dr. Pitkin co-founded GovPredict, which was groomed in Silicon Valley’s Y Combinator program, in 2014. Prior to that, he earned his PhD in Statistics at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. He currently serves on the faculty of the Wharton school, teaching statistics to approximately 250 MBA students every year. He has won multiple teaching awards in that role.

For further information on the products of GovPredict, please visit our website at www.govpredict.com.

Lydia Borland

Officer

Lydia Borland has more than 30 years of public and private sector experience in international business and government relations, but she approaches each project with the enthusiasm and energy of an eager novice.  Her success record on behalf of clients speaks for itself, that is why LBIS clients prefer this boutique firm over larger firms.

Lydia helps identify investment opportunities and organize political fundraising campaigns, including Turkish American Political Action Committee (PAC) fundraisers.  Lydia played an important role in establishing the Turkish American PACs, which have empowered Turkish Americans in the political arena.  She advocates on behalf of US-Turkish relations and Turkish companies.  She assists in growing the Congressional Turkey Caucus and provides strategic direction for lobbying contract.  Members of Congress and congressional staff regularly reach out to her for guidance on issues affecting the region.

LBIS has also advocated on behalf of other groups in Washington DC.  Borland has a keen understanding of how US policy can reflect the views of businesses and the non-profit community. She is currently President of LB International Solutions, LLC, an international consulting firm, which provides consulting services to The Gephardt Group, The Livingston Group, and other companies. She has also been a Washington Representative for a military aircraft parts supply company, and a lobbyist with the Embassy of Turkey since 1989.

Borland served as Washington Representative for the Turkish-U.S. Business Council (TAIK/DEIK) from 2000-2007 and Deputy Executive Director of the U.S. Azerbaijan Chamber of Commerce for several years.  In addition to Turkish, Borland speaks fluent Spanish, Italian, Azerbaijani, and French. She earned a B.A. in International Affairs from George Washington University and a M.B.A. in Finance from Virginia Polytechnic Institute.

Borland has successfully created and managed campaigns to secure financial assistance and favorable legislation for U.S. and non-U.S. clients. She facilitates international business development for U.S. companies and for non-U.S. companies in the U.S. Additionally, she has experience in trade promotion and market development, helping businesses identify and partner with international companies.  She currently is working to develop international trade and investment between Native American tribes and Italian or Turkish companies.

Borland established and manages political PACs to support members of Congress and candidates who support client issues. She meets with political candidates to evaluate their positions and advocate on issues and organize fundraisers for members of Congress and candidates. She has an extensive network in Congress, the Administration, the diplomatic community, and business circles.

Before establishing LB International Solutions, Borland was executive director of Caspian Group LLC between 2001 and 2013. She managed Caspian Group clients and contractors. She lobbied the Natural Resources Committee for the successful passage of HR2326, a bill sponsored by Congressman Tom Cole titled: Indian Tribal Trade and Investment Demonstration Project Act of 2011.  The bill would facilitate economic development by Indian tribes and encourage investment by Turkish enterprises. The issues it sought to relieve were addressed in other passed legislation.

Monte Ward

Officer 

Monte Ward is President of Advanced Capitol Consulting - a company dedicated to assisting its clients in achieving their legislative and regulatory goals through government relations and advocacy services.  Monte provides strategic counsel in the areas of government relations, trade association representation, political fundraising for members of Congress and political action committees and grassroots advocacy.

Prior to joining Advanced Capitol Consulting, Monte served as Vice President of Federal Affairs for the National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies, the largest property/casualty insurance trade association serving over 1,300 member companies.  In this capacity he was responsible for all of the association’s federal legislative affairs and the day to day operation of their Washington DC office. Monte’s Washington DC experience began on Capitol Hill where he worked as a staff assistant for Congressman John J. Rhodes, III (AZ), a legislative assistant for Congressman Jay Dickey (AR) and a legislative director for Congressman Michael Forbes (NY). 

Monte is married to Jennifer and they have five boys.  He is a basketball and baseball coach and a former leader in the Boy Scouts of America.  Monte also serves on the board of the Hoops for Youth Foundation. 



Paul T. Kelly 

Officer


Paul T. Kelly is President of Capitol Advocacy & Government Affairs, LLC, a bipartisan government relations firm founded in 2018.  He is also a consultant to The Livingston Group, the lobbying firm founded by former House Appropriations Committee Chairman Bob Livingston.  With over 30 years experience in Washington, Mr. Kelly is credited with numerous legislative and regulatory achievements.  A highly effective spokesman before Congress, the Executive Branch and the media, he is expert in all areas of government advocacy and political affairs. 
Mr. Kelly has represented policy positions for a range of interests including: healthcare professionals, hospitals and health systems, pharmacies and pharmacists, pharmaceutical manufacturers, global retailers, small businesses, Fortune 500 companies and many others.  In addition, he has led lobbying and advocacy programs for: The Federal Group; the National Association of Chain Drug Stores; the Retail Industry Leaders Association; the American Dietetic Association and the American Chiropractic Association.  During college, graduate school and early in his career he held various positions in the United States Congress.
His volunteer work has included serving on the Board of Directors for: the Washington Industrial Roundtable; the American League of Lobbyists; the Association of Government Relations Professionals; and, the Congressional Award Foundation -- a charity created by Congress to recognize leadership and initiative in America’s youth.  
 
Kelly earned a Master of Arts in American Government from Johns Hopkins University and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Lynchburg (Virginia).  He was also awarded the Professional Lobbying Certificate from the American League of Lobbyists.  A lifelong Virginian, he and his wife live in Falls Church, Virginia.  They have two adult children.

Alan Knapp

Officer

Alan Knapp is a public affairs and government relations professional based in Washington, D.C. and the Founder and Managing Principal of Avison Strategies, LLC. 

He brings his principled guidance to help clients with their passionate pursuits and focuses on health, financial services, and education and workforce policy. He leverages his expertise in policy, strategy, project management, consulting, and relationship-building to bring forward a vision to solve his client's difficult problems, anticipate challenges, and position them for new opportunities that expertly advance their engagement with the public, consumers, government, businesses, and the media. 

Alan has over two decades of policy and political experience and worked in senior positions on Capitol Hill for former Reps. Ted Poe (TX), Nick Smith (MI), and Fred Upton (MI). After leaving Capitol Hill, he led government relations departments for the Partnership for 21st Century Skills and the National Cooperative Business Association.

In addition to serving on the board for GRA and chairing the Future Leaders Committee, Alan is a board member for the Institute for Career Transitions, a nonprofit based in the Boston area that generates strategies, support, understanding, and collaboration for professionals facing challenges in career transitions. He serves as chair of their Advocacy Committee. 

Alan earned a Master’s Degree in Public Policy from Michigan State University and a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from Western Michigan University. He is active in his alumni associations and believes in mentoring young professionals.

Outside of work, Alan spends time with his two daughters and their Golden Retriever, Wrigley. He is passionate about history, travel, and fitness and plays baseball, golf, and tennis competitively.

Carrie Bachner-Mullins

Officer

Carrie Bachner-Mullins has devoted her career to serving others and to protecting the United States. As an entrepreneur, Carrie founded two small businesses. In 2010, she began a federal contracting firm called Mission Concepts, and in 2014, she started her own national security consulting firm, Bachner Group, where she has guided the firm into woman, minority and veteran-owned small business status.  Due to the specialized nature of her work, Carrie is also a certified and trained facility security officer (FSO) and maintains a secure environment for employees, vendors, and her firm’s visitors.

Carrie’s understanding of Congress, the Executive branch, and the federal procurement process makes her a valued and trusted advisor to Fortune 500 Companies, senior government leaders, and elected officials. Carrie advises her clients on government relations and helps them successfully navigate federal and private sector contracts.

Carrie spent four years at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Office of Legislative Affairs where she served as the career senior legislative advisor to the Under Secretary of Intelligence and Analysis/Chief Intelligence Officer, Charles E. Allen. At DHS she worked closely with Congress to elevate issues of concern to the Intelligence Community, DHS, and local law enforcement. She also worked closely with the DoD and other civil agencies that had a role in national and homeland security, and represented to Congress the DHS’s cyber security, emergency communications, and risk management initiatives.

Carrie was a Commissioned Officer in the US Air Force with tours in the continental U.S., Latin America, and the Caribbean. Carrie is a graduate of the University of North Florida with a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science, and earned a master’s degree in public administration from the H. Wayne Huizenga School of Business and Entrepreneurship at Nova Southeastern University.

Carrie currently serves in Washington DC as an appointed commissioner on the Advisory Board for the Mayor’s Office of Veteran’s Affairs where she advocates for veterans’ needs. Recently, she was appointed as a Board Member to Rivada Networks where she continues to advise their executive leadership, and stands committed to the long-term interests of the organization’s success. Carrie also volunteers her time in the areas of literacy and homelessness for the Junior League of Washington, and is a Key Founding Member to Pathways to Housing. For special holidays and events, she volunteers at Sixth & I Historic Synagogue in Downtown D.C.

To increase awareness of the history of the Intelligence Community, Carrie donates to and advocates for the International Spy Museum.  As a government relations professional, she is a founding member and board member of the Government Relations Association (GRA), a nonprofit organization that helps advocate on behalf of First Amendment rights, and unites people within the government relations comunity.

In her leisure time, she enjoys cycling, fishing, boating, running marathons, and motorcycling. Carrie is also a licensed private pilot and lives in both the District and the Sunshine State with her husband and son.

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Jenny DiJames

Officer

Jenny DiJames is one of six founding partners of Alignment Government Strategies (AGS), a Washington, D.C. based lobbying firm.  AGS represents a broad spectrum of corporations, non-profit associations, public entities, and individual organizations before Congress and the Administration in Washington.  The firm has specific policy expertise across multiple fields – including financial services, energy, health care, tax, trade, education, pension and retirement, manufacturing, transportation, defense, telecommunications, budget and appropriations, and judiciary and intellectual property.

In the private sector, Jenny has produced successful results for a wide range of clients.  She is widely acknowledged as an expert appropriations hand, but also has successfully worked with Congress on legislative issues across the political spectrum including client interests in defense, criminal justice and judiciary, energy and environment, transportation, financial services, health care, trade, and manufacturing.

Jenny began her Washington career working for Congressman Bud Cramer, a Democrat from Alabama’s Fifth Congressional District who served on the House Appropriations Committee and the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence.  Jenny managed the Congressman’s legislative portfolio as his Legislative Director and handled his Appropriations Committee work.  She also served as the Congressman’s staff liaison to the Blue Dog Coalition, a group of moderate, business-friendly House Democrats founded by Congressman Cramer and others.

Jenny graduated from Birmingham-Southern College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science. She received her law degree from the University of Alabama School of Law, where she was a member of the Phillip C. Jessup International Law Moot Court Team.  She is a member of the Alabama State Bar.

Jenny is active in Democratic politics.  She is a member of the Blue Dog Coalition Alumni Group, Women in Government Relations, and the Jenkins Hill Society, a women’s fundraising group in Washington supporting Democratic women in Congress sitting in the most vulnerable seats.  She has also served on the DCCC Chairman’s Council, the DSCC Women’s Senate Network, and the bipartisan Women’s Campaign Forum.  Jenny also served on the Board of Directors of the National Children’s Alliance, the national membership association for over 900 Children’s Advocacy Centers across the U.S. whose multi-disciplinary collaborative teams serve victims of child abuse.

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

John Zang

John Zang is Senior Policy Analyst for Duane Morris Government Strategies (DMGS), a full-service, bipartisan government relations firm representing clients in Washington, D.C., and state capitals across the country.

John has worked for DMGS since 2016 in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the State of Ohio, and now in Washington, D.C.  John collaborates with clients to develop and implement state and federal government affairs strategies. John focuses on building and maintaining relationships with congressional staff and other policy professionals to support and promote clients’ comprehensive legislative agendas. John regularly communicates clients’ legislative and regulatory affairs positions to government agencies, interest groups, and elected officials. John also provides grant monitoring, development, and writing services for local, state, federal, and private grant projects.

Before joining DMGS, John served as the Director of Operations for the Pennsylvania Supreme Court campaign of Justice Christine Donohue.  John also worked as a field officer for the campaign of Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf.
John is currently pursuing his J.D. at the American University Washington College of Law, where he is a member of the American University Law Review. 

John received his B.A. in International Politics, concentrating on International Political Economy, from the Pennsylvania State University.  John resides in the Navy Yard with his wife Clare and daughter Alexandra.