Meet the Power Players

June 15, 2012 B-318 Rayburn House Office Building | 1:00 pm

ROBERT HARRIS, Moderator

Robert Harris is a Director at The Glover Park Group, where he works in the Government Relations practice. Since joining The Glover Park Group, Robert has worked on a wide range of issues with a focus on telecommunications and healthcare as well as financial services. Prior to joining The Glover Park Group, Harris worked for the BlueCross BlueShield Association (BCBSA) national trade association representing 39 independent and locally operated BCBS companies as an Executive Washington Representative. In this capacity, Robert represented the BCBSA before Congress and the Administration as they sought to engage in the pending healthcare reform debate. He provided strategic advice from an inside the beltway perspective while helping to build various coalitions and develop strategy. Prior to his time in the insurance industry, Robert was the Legislative Director and Floor Assistant to Congressman G. K. Butterfield (D-NC), where he specialized in telecommunications and health care issues. In addition to his legislative duties, Robert also served as a House Floor Assistant to the Majority Whip Team under the leadership of Majority Whip, James E. Clyburn (D-SC). Robert is an alumnus of North Carolina Central University (NCCU) with a B.A. in Political Science. While at NCCU, Robert acted as the student liaison to the Chancellor as well a student ambassador.

Meet the Power Players

June 15, 2012 B-318 Rayburn House Office Building | 1:00 pm

PAUL BRATHWAITE
Paul Brathwaite is widely known and well-regarded fixture in the halls of Congress, both for his consummate professionalism and his infectious laugh. Before joining the Podesta Group, he served as executive director of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC), where he coordinated the groups domestic and foreign policy initiatives. At the CBC, Paul worked with all 43 members and served three CBC chairs: Reps. Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX), Elijah E. Cummings (D-MD) and Melvin L. Watt (D-NC). During the Clinton administration, Paul served as Deputy Assistant Secretary of Labor for the Employment Standards Administration. Earlier in his career, Paul worked in the Department of Transportations General Counsels Honors Program. He has also worked as a staff member for Rep. Tom Carper (D-DE), who was then a member of the House, former Rep. Mike Castle (R-DE) and former New York Governor, Mario Cuomo (D). Paul has received numerous accolades for his distinguished public service, including the first Brenda Pillors Award from the Foundation for Ethnic Understanding and numerous selections as one of Roll Calls Fabulous Fifty staffers on Capitol Hill. A Delaware native, Paul holds a Juris Doctor and a master's in public policy from Duke University and a bachelor's from Delaware State University.

MARCUS SEBASTIAN MASON

Marcus Sebastian Mason, Senior Partner at The Madison Group (TMG) is a government affairs professional and political strategist. He has successfully managed political campaigns at the Federal and local level, winning his first congressional campaign at the age of 21 before becoming a Chief of Staff to a Member of Congress at age 22. Mr. Mason is also a member of the board of directors for the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation (CBCF) where he serves as Treasurer and Chairman of the Budget & Investment Committee. Marcus is also on the board of directors for the Congressional Black Caucus PAC (CBC-PAC) and Treasurer for Protecting Our Vote Super PAC. He also serves as President of the Board of Directors for the Washington Government Relations Group (WGRG) where he is in his second term. Mason is also a published author who writes spy thrillers under the pen name Sebastian Cheney. He is the father of a college-aged daughter named Taelor.

Meet the Power Players

June 15, 2012 B-318 Rayburn House Office Building | 1:00 pm

NIKIA OKOYE
Nikia was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio. She attended Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio where she received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science. Nikia also obtained her Masters in Business Administration from Trinity University in 2005. Nikia came to Washington D.C. in 1999 to do an internship with the late Representative Stephanie Tubbs Jones (Ohio). Following the internship, Nikia was offered a permanent position in the office of Tubbs Jones where she served in a variety of positions in including Staff Assistant, Legislative Correspondent, and Senior Legislative Assistant. Following the death of Representative Tubbs Jones, Nikia secured a position with the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation as Project Manager, where she served as the liaison to the Congressional Black Caucus Members. Three years ago, Nikia joined The American Kidney Fund as the Director of Government Relations. In this capacity, she develops and manages the public policy agenda for the organization. She also created a new advocacy program: the AKF Patient Advocacy Network.

JARVIS C. STEWART
Jarvis C. Stewart is Ian Reid's Chairman and Managing Partner. Mr. Stewart provides corporate and institutional strategy for a wide-range of companies in sectors such as homeland security, banking and financial services, energy and emerging markets. His clients include Fortune 100 companies, mid-sized firms and small businesses poised for domestic and international growth. He is also a partner in several private equity funds and a director for two privately held companies. A native Texan, Mr. Stewart served as Chief of Staff to former United States Congressman Harold Ford, Jr. (D-TN) and Special Assistant to Clinton Labor Secretary Alexis M. Herman. He is a frequent speaker on issues relating to business and corporate development and public policy. He has been profiled in The Wall Street Journal, Forbes and Black Enterprise magazines, and is a founding partner of the WASHINGTON NATIONALS, a Major League Baseball franchise. He lives in Bethesda, Maryland, with his wife Stacey and daughters Madeleine Reid and Savannah Francies.

Meet the Power Players

June 15, 2012 B-318 Rayburn House Office Building | 1:00 pm

JENNIFER M. STEWART
Jennifer Stewart has over a decade of experience in public policy and government relations. An experienced strategist, she offers the clients of Stewart Strategies & Solutions creative and strategic approaches to public policy matters, including but not exclusive to telecommunications, technology, transportation, health care and education. In her role as President at Stewart Strategies & Solutions, she assists clients in achieving public policy goals by lobbying on their behalf and crafting strategies to effectively communicate to the audiences they care aboutpolicymakers and their constituents. Prior to forming Stewart Strategies & Solutions, Stewarts career highlights include her service as a senior policy advisor at Bryan Cave, LLP and a senior manager in the federal government affairs department for AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals (AZ). Stewarts experience in the government sector includes her tenure as legislative director to Congressman Gregory W. Meeks (D-NY) and legislative assistant to Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX). Stewarts experience in strategically and creatively reaching diverse communities, in efforts to build broad support, makes her a valuable asset to the clients of Stewart Strategies & Solutions.

KIMBERLY A. WOODARD
Before launching the WesleyPrestonGreen group, a public affairs consultancy, Kimberly A. Woodard was Director of Federal Government Relations for Walmart, where she had worked since March 2004, and managed the companys outreach initiatives to the Democratic Caucus. In this position, Kimberly was responsible for developing strategies and programs to advance the companys outreach efforts and political priorities. She was a key contact between the company and several congressional caucuses, as well as the White House. She has developed a profile in Washington that includes experience in political fundraising, relationship management, brand reputation and event management.