Washington, D.C. Archives

Nick Iarossi

Nick Iarossi is a Managing Director with BGR Group. He helps clients navigate political and policy challenges at the local, state and federal levels.

A founding member of Florida-based Capital City Consulting, Nick has been a leading advocate for over 20 years. He was recognized by Influence Magazine as one of the top 100 Most Influential People in Florida, a member of The News Service of Florida’s Power 100, and the most influential lobbyist in the State of Florida according to The Florida Standard. 

Nick is considered the best in his field representing a diverse client base in sectors such as: financial services, insurance, environmental, gaming, retail, education, information technology, and procurement. Throughout his career, Nick successfully lobbied for countless pieces of legislation on behalf of his clients and secured billions of dollars in legislative appropriations. Furthermore, Nick is often relied on by clients to assist on various public affairs efforts such as crisis management, message development, ballot initiatives and political branding.

Nick is active politically and a prolific fundraiser who has served in leadership positions on several national and state campaigns. Most recently, Nick raised money for the Trump 47 Campaign and supporting committees. Prior to that, Nick served as the National Finance Co-Chair for the DeSantis for President Campaign. In 2016, he served on the Marco Rubio for President National Finance Committee. Additionally, Nick served as the Inaugural Co-Chair and Inaugural Finance Chair for both of Governor Ron DeSantis’ inaugurations for Governor, and on both Inaugural Committees of Governor Rick Scott.

In 2023, along with BGR Group and other nationally leading public affairs firms, Nick and his Capital City Consulting partners helped found Advocus Partners, a bipartisan, national, public affairs firm that provides comprehensive and integrated government advocacy and advisory services for every level of government in all regions of the country.

Before starting Capital City Consulting, Nick practiced law and government affairs at a prominent Florida law firm after working in the Senate Majority Office and Office of Insurance Regulation. Nick graduated from Florida State University with honors, where he served as student body president and also received his JD from Florida State University Law School.  He is a member of the Seminole Boosters Board of Directors and served on the university’s Presidential Search Advisory Committee. 

Nick enjoys giving back by mentoring students, supporting the March of Dimes, the Make-A-Wish Foundation and many other charities.

Jinnie Christensen

Jinnie Christensen is the executive assistant for BGR’s founding partner, Governor Haley Barbour. In this role, she assists the Governor in scheduling, event planning and client relations. She manages the day to day operations, calendar, travel, political engagements for Governor Barbour. She joined BGR in 2024.

Prior to joining BGR, Jinnie most recently served as Congressman Vern Buchanan’s operations manager. Prior to this, Jinnie worked as a political fundraiser for two prominent DC firms, managed congressional campaigns, and served as the sole staffer to two chairmen in the Georgia Senate. She attended the University of Alabama, proudly graduating in three years where she was a member of Alpha Omicron Pi, College Republicans, the Crimson White and the Student Government Association. Jinnie also completed her Masters in Public Administration from Liberty University while working full time.

Jinnie is originally from the suburbs of Chicago, where she began volunteering on campaigns and interning in her congressman’s office at 16 years old.

Hai Feng Peng

Hai Peng is a Senior Director at BGR Group where he advises clients on U.S.-China relations. Hai draws on his extensive military and civil service experience, together with his deep understanding of Chinese language, politics, and culture, to advise on global geopolitical and security issues.

Prior to joining BGR Group, Hai served as Deputy Chief – China, Taiwan, Mongolia Division in the Organization of the Joint Chiefs of Staff: Joint Staff, J5, DD-Asia. In this position, Hai advised the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (CJCS) in his role as the senior military advisor to the Secretary of Defense and the U.S. President by providing expert advice, information, analysis, briefings, studies, and reports on China, Taiwan and Indo-Pacific region, both within the country and in a geopolitical context. Before joining the CJCS, Hai worked as a Senior Geopolitical and Military Affairs Specialist in the Strategic Competition Branch under the Department of the Air Force. Hai’s extensive civil service experience also includes three years with the Defense Intelligence Agency at U.S. INDOPACOM.

Hai also has over eighteen years of military service. He joined the United States Army New York National Guard in March 2002 and commissioned as an Army intelligence officer through the Citadel ROTC Program in 2007. He served seven years on active duty in the U.S. Army, including one combat tour in Iraq, and as an intelligence officer in the 82^nd Airborne Division and 1st Special Forces Group (Airborne). In 2014, he transitioned to the United States Army Reserves and is currently a Lieutenant Colonel.

Born in China, Hai is fluent in Mandarin Chinese. He came to the U.S. at age 17 and lived in Brooklyn, NY. He is a graduate of Columbia University holding a Master of International Affairs – International Security Policy with a focus on East Asia, and the Citadel, Military College of South Carolina, holding a Bachelor of Arts in History. Hai lives in Alexandria, VA with his wife, Kimberly Lucas.

Emma Vaughn

Emma Vaughn, a Vice President with BGR’s Public Relations Practice, has a decade of strategic communications and public policy experience in politics and government. She is known for excelling in high stakes environments and operating at a campaign-level pace with a proven track record of delivering results.

Emma joined BGR following her time at the Republican National Committee (RNC), where she served most recently as the Deputy Communications Director. In this role, Emma oversaw the committee’s communications strategy, working closely with RNC Members, the National Republican Congressional Committee, the National Republican Senatorial Committee, elected officials, candidates, and members of the media to drive messaging and narratives in a 24-hour news cycle. Emma was previously the National Press Secretary as the RNC’s chief spokesperson, playing a pivotal role in winning a Republican majority in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Emma cut her teeth in Florida, as the Communications Director and the lead on-the-record spokesperson for Trump Victory, the joint operation between the campaign and the RNC, which ultimately delivered 29 electoral votes, produced extraordinary numbers among minority communities, and flipped two congressional seats in Miami Dade County.

Emma additionally served in several communications roles in the U.S. House of Representatives for Members of Congress from Ohio and New York. During her time as Communications Director, she managed public relations outreach and organized and executed major public announcements and events.

Originally from Cleveland, Ohio, Emma served on the 2016 Republican National Convention’s communications team in her hometown. Emma holds a Bachelor’s degree from Loyola University of Maryland in Baltimore.

Anna Reese Couhig

Anna Reese Couhig is a Policy Associate in the State and Local Advocacy and Appropriations practices at BGR Group. In this role, she supports clients on a variety of policy issues by conducting research and analysis, providing regular legislative updates, developing briefing materials and reports, and drafting correspondence. Anna Reese also plays a key role in coordinating congressional meetings, assisting with fly-ins, and performing administrative duties in relation to advocacy efforts.

Prior to joining BGR Group, Anna Reese interned with Senator Roger Wicker (R-MS) and worked on a variety of Democratic congressional campaigns. Anna Reese graduated from the University of Mississippi in 2023 with a B.A. in public policy leadership and a B.A. in English with an emphasis in literature, justice, and society. While at Ole Miss, Anna Reese served as Senior Class Vice President, Chief of Staff for TEDxUniversityofMississippi, and as an ambassador for the university’s English department. Additionally, Anna Reese graduated as a member of the Sally McDonnell Barksdale Honors College after the successful defense of her thesis examining student perceptions of COVID-19 mitigation strategies and correlation to demographics.

Originally from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Anna Reese joined BGR Group as a clerk and researcher after moving to Washington, D.C. in August 2023.

Mary Elliott

Mary Elliott has served as Accounting Manager for BGR Group since 2023. In this role, she assists the Controller in overseeing daily accounting operations.

Prior to joining BGR, Mary was Senior Accountant at the Republican National Committee, where she assisted with Federal Election Commission (FEC) compliance and reporting. She was also an intern for Congresswoman Barbara Comstock (R-VA).

Mary is originally from Great Falls, Virginia, and attended Auburn University, where she received her undergraduate degree in Accounting.

Skylar Rubin

Skylar Rubin is a Policy Analyst for BGR’s Public Relations Practice. With her expertise in graphic design, digital content creation, and strategic communications, Skylar manages BGR’s website and social media platforms, and provides branding and marketing support for the firm.

In addition to her focus on internal communications, Skylar collaborates closely with other practice groups and their clients, lending her talents to develop impactful one-pagers, dynamic PowerPoint decks, and comprehensive long-form documents. Skylar’s ability to simplify complex ideas into visually engaging and easily understandable content proves invaluable to both her team and BGR’s clients.

Skylar’s creative expertise extends beyond static designs to include short video animations, enhancing viewer engagement and communication effectiveness in alignment with the contemporary preference for short-form video content.

Skylar started at BGR as a Clerk and Researcher in June 2022. Prior to BGR, Skylar interned for Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and Congressman Ken Buck (R-CO-04), where she handled press duties. Skylar received a B.A. in Strategic Communications with minors in both Political Science and Studio Art from Elon University in May 2023. Skylar was born and raised in the Washington D.C. metropolitan area and is an alumna of The Holton-Arms School.

With a background in strategic communications and experience interning on Capitol Hill, Skylar brings a unique blend of communications skills and knowledge of policy to the team.

Scott Eisner

Scott Eisner is a Senior Vice President with BGR’s International and Trade Practice, where he brings expertise in building international business relationships, policy advocacy, and advising global leaders. Prior to joining BGR Group, Scott served as President of the U.S.-Africa Business Center and Senior Vice President at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. He directed the strategic activities of the USAfBC, engaging with senior-level U.S. government officials, international business leaders, and African governments.

Eisner was also a former member of the U.S. Trade Representative’s Trade Advisory Committee on Africa. Before joining the Chamber, Eisner had a diverse career across multiple sectors, including politics, working on Sen. John McCain’s 2000 presidential campaign and his reelection to the Senate in 2004. He was also director of business development for the Kronk Boxing Gym, home to numerous world champions, including Tommy “The Hitman” Hearns and Lennox Lewis.

In 2019, Eisner was selected to be a Presidential Leadership Scholar. Scott currently serves on the advisory board for George W. Bush Institute, City Year South Africa, Africa Leadership Academy USA, and the Woodrow Wilson Center Africa Program Advisory CouncilEisner graduated with a degree in political science from Pepperdine University in Malibu, California. He lives in Washington, D.C., with his wife and two daughters.

Raghav Aggarwal

Raghav Aggarwal, Vice President, joined BGR in October 2023. He helps clients identify challenges and opportunities created by today’s political and policy environment, formulate policy solutions to address them, and advocate for those solutions in both the executive and legislative branches of the federal government. He succeeds for his clients by relying on his significant experience as a leader in the health care policy space, strong technical expertise, and deep understanding of the policymaking process.

Prior to joining BGR, Raghav held a variety of senior roles with the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) over a period spanning three different administrations. Most recently, as Senior Advisor, he helped oversee a vast array of policy and operational work related to the $400 billion Medicare Advantage and Part D programs, including implementation of the drug pricing and payment reform provisions of the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (IRA).

Previously, Raghav served on the Majority Staff of the U.S. Senate Committee on Finance, on detail from CMS as Senior Health Policy Advisor. In that role, he managed legislation and advised Chairman Ron Wyden (D-OR) on the prescription drug pricing, Medicare Part D, and Medicare Advantage policy portfolios, among other health care issues. Raghav most notably led the development of the IRA’s drug pricing and payment reform provisions and helped to successfully negotiate passage of the landmark legislation that he also eventually helped implement.

Raghav has received numerous honors and awards for his meaningful contributions to federal health care policy, including the HHS Secretary’s Award for Excellence in Management, one of the highest honors granted by the Department and conferred by the Secretary.

Ryan Long

Ryan Long is a Principal with BGR Group and works with clients in both the Health and Life Sciences and Commerce Practices. He has vast experience in policy areas including health, trade, technology, and veterans’ affairs. He possesses a rare combination of both policy expertise and superior knowledge of House process and dynamics after two separate tours of service on Capitol Hill.

Ryan previously served as a Principal with BGR Group from 2013 to 2018. He focused primarily on Health and Life Science clients before returning to Capitol Hill to lead the Republican staff of the House Energy and Commerce Committee. He then served as Senior Policy Advisor and Counsel to the Speaker where his portfolio included health, technology, and trade policy from 2021 to 2023.

Ryan also served on the House Energy and Commerce Committee from 2004 to 2013 first as the FDA Counsel and then as Chief Health Counsel from 2006 to 2013. Prior to that, he served as a Legislative Correspondent for former Rep. Charlie Norwood (R-GA) and for former Rep. Joe Barton (R-TX) from 1999-2004, first as a Legislative Assistant, then as his Legislative Director.