Financial Services Archives

Ansley Haulbrook

Ansley Haulbrook is the Government Affairs Coordinator for BGR’s Financial Services Practice Group. In this role, she assists BGR principals through research, scheduling, and event planning and works closely with tax and energy clients. Ansley supports the firm’s federal government relations and advisory services team members with day to day operations, workflow, and organizational priorities. Ansley started at BGR as a Legislative Clerk when she moved to Washington, D.C. in January 2023 before coming on full time in April 2023.

Prior to BGR, Ansley interned for Congresswoman Madeline Bordallo (D-GU) and worked on Alison Freidman’s Congressional Campaign in (VA-10). Ansley graduated from Sewanee: The University of the South in December 2022 with a B.A. in Politics with concentrations in National Institutions & Policy and Citizenship & Political Action. While at Sewanee, Ansley was the recruitment chair for her sorority, a tour guide ambassador for the admissions office, and a member of the Order of the Gownsmen academic honors society.

Ansley spent 2022 studying at the London School of Economics and Political Science in London, England.

In addition to living in London, she has also lived in Panama, Puerto Rico, Ireland, and Guam, but primarily grew up in Saint Simons Island, Georgia before attending boarding school at Episcopal High School in Alexandria, Virginia.

Steven Pfrang

Steven Pfrang is a Vice President with BGR’s Commerce and Financial Services Practices. Steve assists clients with their advocacy campaigns by leveraging his nearly 20 years of experience in Washington, D.C., working in the public and private sector. He is well known for his ability to combine his knowledge of tax, trade and health care policy issues with his detailed understanding of the political environment to drive policy results through the legislative process.

Most recently Steve served as Chief of Staff to Congressman Darin LaHood (R-IL), a senior Member of the House Ways and Means Committee and the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence as well as the House Select Committee on China. In his position, Steve was responsible for managing the Congressman’s congressional operations, including all legislative and communications activities. As the Congressman’s primary advisor, Steve also managed the Member’s entire political operation, including the Congressman’s National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) activities.

Prior to his time with Congressman LaHood, Steve served as Deputy Chief of Staff and Legislative Director to a member of the Ways & Means Committee and as a Senior Legislative Assistant to a member of the House Energy & Commerce and the Financial Services Committees.

Steve previously worked on the government affairs staff of a Fortune 100 company where he was responsible for advocacy to advance the company’s retirement policy priorities before the House, Senate and Executive Branch.

Originally from Wisconsin, Steve is an avid Packers fan and active outdoorsman. Steve received his Bachelor’s degree from St. Norbert College and his MBA from Lakeland College.

Keaghan Ames

Keaghan Ames is a Vice President in BGR Group’s Financial Services Practice where he advises clients and advocates on financial services, agriculture, and tax matters. Keaghan leverages his regulatory experience and policymaking expertise to assist BGR Group clients in navigating Washington.

Prior to joining BGR Group, Keaghan worked at the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) as Senior Policy Advisor and Counselor to Commissioner Caroline Pham. Among his key responsibilities, Keaghan liaised with industry stakeholders as well as Senate and House Agriculture Committee staff on key policy priorities before the Commission.

Prior to his time at the CFTC, Keaghan served as the Director of Government Affairs at the Institute of International Bankers (IIB), where he represented the U.S. operations of internationally headquartered financial institutions on capital markets, prudential, and tax policy matters before Congress and financial regulators. Keaghan led the organization’s congressional advocacy strategy during the budget reconciliation process.

Keaghan also worked at Credit Suisse as Head of U.S. Regulatory Policy, where he advised senior executives and helped oversee the firm’s advocacy efforts on the regulatory implementation of the Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief, and Consumer Protection Act (S. 2155). His work included drafting comment letters and leading meetings on behalf of the bank’s investment bank, holding company, and asset management policy interests before Congress, the SEC, Federal Reserve Board, CFTC, and FDIC. 

Keaghan is a PwC alum and clerked for CFTC Commissioner (Chairman) Christopher Giancarlo while in law school. Keaghan received a J.D. from the George Washington University Law School and a B.A. in Political Science from the George Washington University. A native of South Jersey and a diehard Philadelphia Eagles fan, Keaghan resides in Washington with his wife and son.

Christian Dopico

Christian Dopico is a Policy Analyst in the Financial Services Practice at BGR Group. In this role, he supports the entire Financial Services team by assessing and communicating the implications of federal policy changes in the financial sector.

Christian first joined BGR as a research clerk in early 2022, where he supported the firm through hearing and event coverage, in-depth research projects, and election analysis during the 2022 midterm cycle.

Christian’s prior experience encompasses a broad stretch of positions; he first became familiar with politics during a college internship with then-New York City Council Member, now Congressman, Ritchie Torres (D). Prior to BGR, Christian worked in public relations and campaigns for the Florida Democratic Party, where he organized virtual GOTV events and conducted candidate research during the 2020 cycle. He also previously served as an intern in the Council on Foreign Relations’ corporate affairs division in New York City.

Christian holds a Master’s degree from the George Washington University Graduate School of Political Management (GSPM). He earned a B.S. in Business Economics and Urban Studies from Fordham University in New York City. Between degrees, he embarked on a gap year program teaching English to high school students in rural Spain.

Joel D. Bailey

Joel Bailey, Vice President, started at BGR in September 2021. Joel works with clients on crafting political, engagement, and policy strategies to achieve their goals. In this role, he regularly represents client interests on Capitol Hill and within the Administration.

Prior to joining BGR, Joel served for over a decade on Capitol Hill in several Congressional offices. Most recently, Joel served as Chief of Staff to House Committee on Ways and Means Member, Congressman Jimmy Panetta (D-Calif.). There, he managed the Congressman’s political, policy, and whip operations. Before serving as Mr. Panetta’s Chief of Staff, Joel represented the hospitality industry to Congressional Democratic offices as a lobbyist for the National Restaurant Association (NRA).

Earlier in his career, Joel worked for a number of House Members who served on the House Committee on Energy and Commerce primarily focusing on health policy. During this time, Joel worked on the formulation and passage of the Affordable Care Act, the Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA IV and V), and the Safeguarding America’s Pharmaceuticals Act.

In each of these roles, Joel regularly worked with Member of Congress, staff, Congressional leadership, and allied outside entities to build coalitions, formulate policy, and execute on strategies to achieve his Members’ or clients’ goals.

Justin Rzepka

Justin Rzepka, a Principal with BGR Group, is a seasoned advocate and policy expert with over two decades of experience. His multifaceted career spans Capitol Hill, private sector leadership, and coalition management.

As Co-Head of the firm’s Commerce and Infrastructure Practice, Justin oversees a comprehensive policy portfolio that encompasses telecommunications, technology, artificial intelligence, content, media, transportation, infrastructure, and energy. His strategic approach delivers tangible results for clients, aligning their goals with effective strategies.

Justin’s advocacy extends to all levels of government. He engages with Congress, the Administration, and independent agencies, ensuring client access and influence. At BGR, he serves as the Executive Director of the CAR Coalition, championing affordable auto repair for consumers.

His risk mitigation expertise benefits Fortune 100 companies and trade associations across diverse sectors. Justin’s impact is evident in the permanent extension of a tax moratorium on internet access during his tenure at NCTA – The Internet & Television Association.

Before joining BGR, Justin honed his skills on Capitol Hill. His work spanned foreign policy, telecommunications, transportation, and taxation. Notably, he contributed to the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission’s annual report. Justin’s commitment to effective policy and advocacy continues to shape the landscape of critical issues.

Justin, originally from Ohio, graduated from Regis University in Denver. An enthusiastic alpine skier, he now lives in Virginia with his family.

Loren Monroe

Loren Monroe, a Principal at BGR Group, serves as a member of the firm’s Executive Board as well as one of the firm’s spokesmen. He co-chairs the firm’s bipartisan State & Local Advocacy Practice while lobbying on behalf of energy, health, financial services, technology and trade clients. Loren has more than 25 years of experience in Washington’s political, business and public policy arenas.

In his role, Loren helps clients at the state and federal levels achieve policy solutions and secure business opportunities in Washington and state capitals across the country through direct lobbying before Congress, governors, state legislators and attorneys general. He is skilled at helping clients align federal and state advocacy strategies as well as enlisting state and local leaders to support clients’ federal priorities. He also helps clients to obtain grants and appropriations from federal and state agencies. Due to the quality of service and results that are consistently delivered, Loren has represented many of his clients for more than 20 years.

Loren frequently serves as the campaign manager for complex lobbying efforts that require coordinated state and federal outreach across multiple states and involving several lobbying and public relations firms. Highlights of his lobbying successes include securing federal permitting approval for the nation’s first large scale offshore wind project, Congressional appropriations for new research buildings on a university campus, legislation to carveout scrap recyclers from the Superfund program, state funding for digital skilling programs as well as discretionary economic development incentives by governors.

Prior to joining BGR, Loren served at the public affairs firm Cassidy & Associates. He served on the legislative staff of former Senator Pete Domenici (R-NM) when he served as Chairman of the Budget Committee and as a senior member of the Appropriations Committee. Loren previously served on the Finance staff of the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) as well as on the President George H.W. Bush reelection campaign.

Loren currently serves on the Finance Committees of the Republican Governors Association and the Republican State Leadership Committee. He is often invited to speak before audiences on the political and legislative outlooks at the federal and state levels.

Andy Lewin

Andy Lewin, Andy Lewin, Head of the Financial Services Practice and a firm Principal, joined BGR in November 2017. Andy focuses his work on financial services and tax issues, and outreach to moderate Democrats. He helps clients navigate Capitol Hill and the Biden administration and executes advocacy efforts that get results.

Before joining BGR, Andy spent nine years as a Principal and head of the financial services practice at the Podesta Group, a leading Washington public affairs firm. Prior to his time at the firm, Andy spent three years 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.

Before joining Zurich, Andy served as Legislative Director for Rep. Dennis Moore (D-KS), who was then chairman of the House Financial Services Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations and Co-Chair of the Blue Dog Coalition. In this position, Andy developed legislative agendas and formulated legislation on insurance, banking, securities, housing finance, and privacy. Prior to his time doing Financial Services Committee work for Congressman Moore, Andy served as Legislative Director for Rep. Max Sandlin (D-TX), then a member of the House Ways and Means Committee, where he staffed his boss on tax, trade, and pension issues.

A St. Louis native, Andy has a bachelor’s degree from the University of Kansas and a master’s degree from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst.

Pete Landrum

Pete Landrum joined the team at BGR in 2017. He works on the BGR Defense and Critical Technologies, Commerce and Infrastructure, and Financial Services practices. Pete enjoys pairing outstanding defense technologies with existing capability gaps in the Department of Defense. To accomplish that task, he aggressively works both the defense authorization and appropriations process.

Critical minerals and materials and rural manufacturing are also one of Pete’s specialties. Prior to joining BGR, he served as U.S. Senator Jeff Sessions’ Senior Defense Policy Advisor from 2007-2017. During that period, he worked on Senate Armed Services Committee issues to include 10 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) cycles. Pete also worked on Senate Appropriations Committee-Defense issues to provide funding to accompany the policy initiatives of the NDAA.

Prior to working in the Senate, Pete spent 31 years in the U.S. military. He worked in post-colonial Sub-Saharan Africa on emerging national issues. Pete also worked with new democracies in Eastern Europe. These countries were newly freed from the domination of the Soviet Union and were anxious to succeed. Additionally, Pete trained and worked with allies in the Middle East. Pete brings his global experience to serve BGR clients in Washington.

Joseph Lai

Joseph Lai is a Principal with BGR Group. He has deep experience in navigating the Washington D.C. policymaking process. After serving as a key advisor to three U.S. senators and as a senior member of the White House legislative affairs team, Joe joined BGR in 2019 to help clients communicate more effectively with policymakers and get results that count.

With a broad portfolio spanning international commerce and financial services to defense and critical technologies, Joe understands how political and regulatory risk in Washington can affect a company’s operations and strategic investments. As a trusted partner to his U.S. and multinational clients, he puts his knowledge and skills to work designing and executing integrated legislative, communications, and political strategies to mitigate those risks.

Joe served at the White House as Special Assistant to the President for Legislative Affairs from 2017 to 2019. In that capacity, he led the White House’s outreach to the Senate on economic issues including international trade and financial services matters. Joe worked with Senate leaders to pass the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 and the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement, and to confirm multiple appointees to the Cabinet, the Federal Reserve, and the Supreme Court.

Prior to joining the White House, Joe worked in the U.S. Senate for over a decade including serving as defense policy advisor and later legislative director to Senator Roger Wicker of Mississippi, the Ranking Member of the Armed Services Committee. Joe also served as a policy advisor to Senators George Voinovich of Ohio and Chuck Hagel of Nebraska. In the private sector, Joe led international trade and defense policy coordination at the Aerospace Industries Association where he oversaw major international transactions for leading U.S. aerospace and defense companies.

A native of Burlingame, California, Joe received his Master of Arts from Yale University and a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of California at Berkeley. Joe is a regent of the Fund for American Studies and a former term member of the Council on Foreign Relations. He is fluent in Cantonese Chinese.