Category: Commerce

WASHINGTON, D.C. (April 6, 2022) – BGR Group, Washington, D.C.’s premier bipartisan lobbying and public relations firm, today announced that David J. Urban will be joining the firm as Managing Director. David has more than three decades of experience in public policy, business, the law, military and public service sectors. He will provide expertise and counsel to BGR clients across a broad range of public policy areas.

“David Urban will be a tremendous asset to all of BGR’s clients,” Founding Partner Haley Barbour said. “His broad experience in both the public and private sectors is unparalleled. His insights into communications, policy, law, and politics make him uniquely suited to the BGR team. We are thrilled to have him on board.”

“I am honored to join BGR,” Urban said. “After more than three decades of working in and out of Washington, I know what it takes to build a successful team. BGR represents the best of the best. I am ready to dive in and help BGR’s clients navigate an increasingly volatile and complicated political and policy environment.”

“When people think of Pennsylvania, they think of David Urban,” Congressman GT Thompson (R-PA-15), Dean of the Pennsylvania Republican congressional delegation, said.  “Arlen Specter, Rick Santorum, Pat Toomey, and scores of others have turned to David for his insight and assistance. I have appreciated the opportunity to rely on David’s Pennsylvania knowledge and public policy experience as well.”

Most recently, David served as Executive Vice President of North American Corporate Affairs for ByteDance, the parent company of TikTok. In this senior role, he worked alongside the company’s top leadership, helping them navigate public policy and communications challenges, as well as advising on Environmental, Social, and Governance and Corporate Social Responsibility issues.

As President of the American Continental Group (ACG), a premier bipartisan government affairs and strategy consulting firm, he provided high stakes counsel to key clients including the CEO of Zoom during the early tumultuous days of the COVID-19 pandemic and the CEO of 7-Eleven to help the company adapt to a rapidly changing regulatory environment. He also has experience in nonprofit space working with groups ranging from the Human Rights Campaign to the US Anti-Doping Agency.

Before joining ACG, David served as Chief of Staff to former U.S. Senator Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania for five years. Senator Specter was an influential member of the Senate Judiciary and Appropriations Committees. In this role, David was the Senator’s senior advisor on all legislative, political, media and administrative matters in Pennsylvania and Washington.

David was appointed by former President Donald Trump to serve as the 11th Chairman of the American Battle Monuments Commission, playing a leadership role in the commemorations of the 100th Anniversary of the World War I Armistice, the 75th Anniversary of the D-Day landings at Normandy and the 75th Anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge. He was also appointed by the President to the Board of Visitors (Trustees) for the United States Military Academy at West Point.

A graduate of West Point, David served as an artillery officer in the 101st Airborne Division where he was awarded the Bronze Star for his service during Operation Desert Storm. He earned a law degree from Temple University and a Master’s in Government Administration from the University of Pennsylvania. He completed an ESG certification program through the Said School of Business at Oxford University and the Stratfor certification program in geopolitical analysis at the Florida Atlantic University. He served as an adjunct professor at Carnegie Mellon University’s Heinz School of Government. An active member of the Pennsylvania Bar, David is admitted to practice before the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, and the Supreme Court of the United States.

Washington, D.C. (December 2, 2021) – BGR Group, Washington, D.C.’s premier bipartisan lobbying and communications firm, today hired Col. Daniel Q. Greenwood, U.S. Marine Corps (Ret.) to join its Defense and Commerce Practices as Senior Vice President. Greenwood has extensive national security and government affairs experience in building bipartisan consensus on Capitol Hill, across the Executive Branch, and the private sector. At BGR, he will work on issues related to national security, foreign military sales, cybersecurity, and emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and unmanned systems.

“We are thrilled to have Col. Greenwood join the BGR team,” BGR President Erskine Wells said. “Dan has the unique experience of leading Marines in combat and leading government affairs teams in Washington in Congress, the National Security Council, and the White House. BGR’s clients will benefit from his broad perspective and background on issues ranging from traditional defense to emerging technologies.”

“It’s an honor to join the outstanding, bipartisan BGR team,” Greenwood said. “BGR is well known for its expertise in defense and aerospace advocacy. I am excited to work with BGR colleagues to advance the priorities of clients and help provide the perspective of the men and women of the U.S. Armed Forces.”

“Dan is a proven leader and tremendous addition to the BGR team,” Defense and International Practice Co-Chair Ambassador Doug Lute said. “His unparalleled experience makes him an expert at communicating complex issues and analytical solutions to diverse audiences. He has worked on policy and legislative issues related to national and homeland security, defense, cyber security, technology, trade, and energy. We are excited to have him on board where he will add immediate value to our defense and international clients.”

Greenwood is retiring from the U.S. Marine Corps after 29 years of serving around the world including Japan, Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and Haiti. He was most recently the Indo-Pacific Strategy/Posture Director in Headquarters, Marine Corps.  Prior to this, he was detailed to the White House where he served in multiple positions including Deputy Assistant to the President and Deputy Director, White House Legislative Affairs, and as Senior Director for Legislative Affairs at the National Security Council. From 2013-2016, he served as the Head of Congressional Affairs for the Marine Corps in the U.S. House of Representatives. He also led the Joint Staff (J-5) Middle East Directorate Iraq and Syria Teams developing strategic plans and policy for the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Dan commanded Marine Corps units at every rank from Second Lieutenant to Colonel including during multiple combat deployments to Afghanistan and Iraq.  As a Colonel during 2016-2017, he commanded the Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force-Crisis Response-Africa (SPMAGTF-CR-AF) during operations in Libya, Somalia, and 12 countries across Africa. He commanded 3^rd Battalion, 9^th Marines during 2008-2010 deploying to Anbar Province, Iraq.

Dan is a graduate of the United States Naval Academy. He was a Distinguished Graduate at the National War College earning a M.S. in National Security Strategy; he also earned Masters of Operational Studies and Masters of Military Studies degrees from the Marine Corps University Command & Staff College and the School of Advanced Warfighting.

Washington, D.C., (September 15, 2021) – BGR Group, Washington, D.C.’s premier bipartisan lobbying and public relations firm, today announced that Justin Rzepka has been named the new Co-Chair of the firm’s Commerce Practice and Robin Colwell will be joining the practice full-time as Senior Vice President. The bipartisan Commerce Practice represents clients in the broadband, semiconductor, and transportation sectors. Team members work in Washington and state capitals advocating for clients on a range of issues including expanding high-speed internet and communications service; upgrading transportation networks; protecting consumer data and privacy; advancing science, technology and engineering research; and oil and gas markets.

“Our bipartisan Commerce Practice is an outstanding group of policy experts across multiple industries,” BGR Group President Erskine Wells said. “Justin is a true leader, and Robin is one of the most respected tech and telecom professionals in town.   We are thrilled to announce these changes to the team.”

Justin joined BGR in 2018 after 17 years of policy and political work on Capitol Hill and in the private sector. He spent nine years working at NCTA – The Internet & Television Association. During his time at NCTA, Justin worked with Association members on a wide swath of policy areas to help advance the legislative and business priorities of its member companies. Prior to NCTA, Justin spent several years on Capitol Hill working in several policy areas: foreign policy, telecommunications, transportation, and taxation. He worked at the Congressionally mandated U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission, developing policy on the U.S.-Sino relationship for their annual report.

Prior to being named Commerce Practice Co-Chair, Justin was voted to be a firm Principal in January 2021.

Earlier this year, Robin joined BGR as Of Counsel. She previously served at the White House National Economic Council, developing Administration policy and leading interagency implementation of priorities including 5G deployment, security, and innovative network architecture; spectrum allocation; rural broadband deployment; data privacy and security; and domestic supply chain security. Robin also served as Chief of Staff to Commissioner Michael O’Rielly at the Federal Communications Commission, as Chief Counsel to the House Energy & Commerce Committee for Communications and Technology, as Legislative Counsel for Senate Commerce Committee members including Senators Tim Scott, Jim DeMint, and Peter G. Fitzgerald, and as Counsel to the Senate Commerce Committee for Tourism, Competitiveness, and Innovation.

Washington, D.C. (June 16, 2021) – BGR Group, Washington, D.C.’s premier bipartisan lobbying and public relations firm, today named Erskine Wells president of the firm. Erskine is Co-Head of BGR’s Commerce Practice and Defense Practice. Prior to joining BGR in 2011, he was a top Republican aide in the U.S. House and Senate for nearly a decade.

“Erskine is a natural leader. He has helped guide BGR and its clients through the pandemic with tremendous results,” BGR Founding Partner Haley Barbour said. “He will be an outstanding president for our firm.”

“Erskine is a policy expert with high political acumen, a rare combination,” BGR Chairman and CEO Bob Wood said. “He is an extremely effective advocate for his clients, a generous colleague, and a true leader in our firm. His vision will help guide BGR for many years to come.”

Erskine represents clients with interests in telecom, defense, transportation, and appropriations. Prior to joining BGR, Erskine worked for Sen. Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) as a senior staff member. Earlier, Erskine managed appropriations efforts for then-Rep. Roger Wicker’s office in the House of Representatives. He also advised Wicker on national security, defense, financial services, and transportation issues.

As the co-chair of BGR’s Commerce practice, Erskine’s clients include wireless and cable providers, firms in the electronics industry and global shipping companies. He also represents national security clients before the Congress and the administration. He has professional connections throughout government and consistently delivers results for BGR’s clients.

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Washington, D.C. (June 7, 2021) – BGR Group, Washington, D.C.’s premier bipartisan lobbying and public relations firm, has named Andy Lewin as a Co-Head of the firm’s Financial Services practice. Lewin joins former Republican Congressman Sean Duffy in this role. Both are Principals at BGR.

“Andy has been a tremendous asset to BGR in his time here,” Corporate Counsel Dan Murphy said. “As our Financial Services practice has grown, Andy has provided excellent insight and guidance to our clients across the policy spectrum. Working with fellow practice Co-Head Sean Duffy, BGR has a strong bipartisan team ready to advocate for our clients on the Hill, in the administration, and in state capitals across the country.”

Andy has deep, substantive expertise and an extensive background in financial services and tax issues. He also serves as a point person for the firm’s outreach to moderate Democrats in both the House and Senate. Prior to joining BGR in 2017, Andy served as Assistant Vice President for government and industry affairs at Zurich Financial Services, developing and advocating for the company’s legislative and regulatory agendas on issues including regulatory reform, natural catastrophes, taxation, climate change and terrorism risk insurance. Andy also represented Zurich at its public policy trade associations, including the American Insurance Association and the Financial Service Roundtable and chaired the Roundtable’s Insurance Working Group.

During his time on Capitol Hill, Andy served as Legislative Director for Rep. Dennis Moore (D-Kan.), who was then chairman of the House Financial Services Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations. In this position, Andy developed legislative agendas and formulated legislation on insurance, banking, securities, housing finance, financial privacy and data security, and insurance regulatory reform. Prior to his time doing Financial Services Committee work for Congressman Moore, he served as Legislative Director for Rep. Max Sandlin (D-Tex.), then a member of the House Ways and Means Committee, where he worked on tax, trade, pensions, federal budget and energy issues.