Diane Major, Republican Strategist, Joins VH Strategies
September 22, 2011
Washington, D.C. – VH Strategies, a leading bipartisan government affairs consulting firm in Washington, DC, is pleased to welcome Republican strategist Diane Major to its growing team of dynamic government relations professionals.
Diane brings to VH Strategies strong policy and technical expertise developed while overseeing a thriving health care consulting practice and over almost a decade and a half of Capitol Hill experience. Her work with House and Senate Republican offices on many fronts – most notably the health care community – provides a wealth of experience critical to business matters before Congress. She is widely acknowledged for her policy skills concerning hospital systems, nursing homes, home health, physician practices, pharmacies, health plans and pharmaceutical issues.
“We are delighted that Diane is joining the firm. She understands very well the need for bipartisan counsel and the professionalism required to execute advocacy strategies in a highly-charged political atmosphere,” said Bob Van Heuvelen, founder of VH Strategies.
Prior to her time as a government affairs consultant, Diane was Senior Associate Director, Federal Relations for the American Hospital Association. In addition to trade association expertise, Diane brings 14 years of Capitol Hill experience to VH Strategies. She was the health policy analyst for the Senate Republican Policy Committee, previously chaired by Senator Jon Kyl (R-AZ). She also worked for the late Senator and Congressman Craig Thomas (R-WY), and was a professional staff member of the House Government Reform & Oversight Committee.
“VH Strategies will benefit significantly from Diane’s involvement in day-to-day client matters. She connects with CEOs and interacts seamlessly with the entire government affairs team. She knows exactly the type of strategy necessary to affect regulatory policy, enhance legislative proposals, and prepare clients for appearances before Congress,” said Van Heuvelen, a legislative and executive branch veteran. “We feel that Diane will greatly enhance the quality of service and counsel we provide to VH Strategies clients.”
“Diane’s skills are so well matched to our growing firm’s practice, and she is a consummate professional. While she has considerable expertise in the health care space, she is poised to make a huge difference across our client roster,” said Stephen Ward, Principal at VH Strategies.
Diane holds B.S. degrees in Economics and Political Science as well as a certificate in International Relations from the University of Utah. To read Diane’s bio, click here.
About VH Strategies
VH Strategies is a bipartisan strategic consulting firm that specializes in legislative advocacy and public relations. Our team members have run congressional offices, managed federal campaigns, and won political and legislative victories for a variety of clients. We handle issues across the policy spectrum, from energy and environment to health care and tax / finance – and much more. Decades of experience shaping public policy have taught us that any successful strategy on Capitol Hill uses a combination of tactics, from targeted advocacy to broad public relations campaigns. We serve our clients with advice and access, helping them inform policymakers, build coalitions and educate the media and public. The firm was launched in 2007.
CONTACT:
Scott Heiser
202-534-4947
scott@vhstrategies.com
Stephen Ward, Senior Senate Aide, Joins VH Strategies
August 1, 2011
Washington, D.C. – VH Strategies, a leading government affairs consulting firm in Washington, DC, is pleased to welcome Stephen Ward, former Chief of Staff to Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee Chairman Jeff Bingaman (D-NM), to the firm.
Stephen is widely acknowledged for his expertise in energy policy and in the challenging nexus of energy development and conservation. In addition to his work with the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, he interfaced with key stakeholders in the health care community during the debate over the passage of the Affordable Care Act, supporting Senator Bingaman’s work as a member of the Senate Finance and Health, Education, Labor and Pension Committees. Throughout Stephen’s years in the Senate, he worked closely with the White House and administrative agencies and departments including the Department of Energy, the Department of Interior, and the Department of Health and Human Services, among others.
For the past two years, Stephen has chaired the weekly meeting of Senate Democratic chiefs of staff and serves as a Board Member of the bipartisan Senate chiefs of staff organization, a group dedicated to building strong working relationships between leaders in senior positions from both political parties. Prior to his tenure with Senator Bingaman, Stephen served for more than ten years as a director of government affairs for EDS Corporation, leading the company’s support of its federal business as well as its government procurement policy objectives in the United States and at the World Trade Organization. He also has extensive experience in the political and non-profit sector.
“We are delighted that Stephen is joining our team at VH Strategies. He brings a wealth of policy and political expertise, congressional relationships and private sector working knowledge to the firm,” said Bob Van Heuvelen, founder of VH Strategies and a thirty-plus year legislative and executive branch veteran. “Stephen and I have been close friends and colleagues for years, and we both look forward to the opportunity to work together again.”
Ward will help direct and develop the firm’s growing roster of energy and tax clients. VH Strategies prides itself on a comprehensive understanding of the Congressional and regulatory process, particularly as it involves the Departments of Energy and Interior, and the Environmental Protection Agency. Given the complex policy demands of this environment – ranging from federal tax implications to direct loan guarantees – Ward’s experience in developing successful public policy and his reach across both sides of the partisan aisle will serve VH Strategies clients well. Ward will serve the firm as a strong advocate on behalf of corporate, conservation and government clients, and leading trade associations. His years of Senate service and private sector experience will also complement many other industry areas serviced by VH Strategies.
Stephen holds a B.A. in Community Development and a M.Ed in Higher Education Administration from The Pennsylvania State University. To read Stephen’s bio, click here.
About VH Strategies
VH Strategies is a bipartisan strategic consulting firm that specializes in legislative advocacy and public relations. Our team members have run congressional offices, managed federal campaigns, and won political and legislative victories for a variety of clients. We handle issues across the policy spectrum, from energy and environment, to health care, to tax and finance – and much more. Decades of experience shaping public policy have taught us that any successful strategy on Capitol Hill uses a combination of tactics, from targeted advocacy to broad public relations campaigns. We serve our clients with advice and access, helping them inform policy makers, build coalitions, and educate the media and public. The firm was launched in 2007.
CONTACT:
Scott Heiser
202-534-4947
scott@vhstrategies.com