FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 20, 2007

Democratic Hill Veterans Join Public Strategies, Inc.

Washington, D.C. — Public Strategies, Inc. today announced Lee Godown has joined the public affairs firm. Godown, a longtime chief of staff and political advisor to Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez of California, will be a managing director for government relations in Public Strategies' Washington, D.C. office.

Godown brings more than 27 years of political and government affairs experience to his new position. Godown has worked in several capacities in Washington, including a congressional chief of staff, an association executive, lobbyist, coalition manager and political advisor. Most recently, as chief of staff to Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez, a ranking member of both the House Armed Services and Homeland Security committees, Godown helped engineer her five tough re-election campaigns. Godown also spent more than a decade with former Congressman Bob Wise of West Virginia where he ultimately served as Wise's subcommittee staff director on the Committee on Government Operations.

An experienced federal lobbyist, Godown championed legislation such as mandatory seat belt and child safety seat use and the Patient Protection Act when he directed the legislative and regulatory program for the American College of Emergency Physicians.

"Public Strategies provides me the exciting opportunity to engage in multiple issues and build awareness for them among not only lawmakers, but the public too," said Godown. "I have long admired the expertise that Public Strategies offers its clients and am excited about joining their team."

Also joining Public Strategies is Jason Hill, who brings ten years of government affairs experience to the firm. Most recently, Hill served as a senior legislative aide to U.S. Senator Carl Levin of Michigan who serves as chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee. While serving on Senator Levin's staff, Hill monitored and developed legislation in the areas of health care, organized labor, and Medicare. Hill also spent several years working in the Executive branch at the Department of Health and Human Services focusing on Medicare, Medicaid and Children's Health. Like Godown, Hill spent time lobbying for a major medical association — the American Medical Group Association — where he focused on Medicare reimbursement, physician payment and self-referral laws.

"The depth and breadth of experience Lee and Jason have in policy development — particularly with regard to working with the current Congressional leadership on national security and health care policy — will be a tremendous asset to our clients," said Jeff Eller, president and CEO of Public Strategies.

Public Strategies, Inc. is an Austin, Texas-based public affairs firm that serves a diverse clientele including some of the world's largest and best-known corporations, nonprofit organizations, associations and professional firms. Much of its practice involves managing high-stakes campaigns for corporate clients, anticipating and responding to crises. Public Strategies helps forward-thinking companies assess public opinion and risk, and develops strategies that affect perception and systems for managing uncertainty.

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Contact: Public Strategies, Inc.     
Mary Meagher  202-354-8204

Read Lee Godown's biography page
Read Jason Hill's biography page

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