Jonathan M. Orloff is the President of Capitol Partners, Inc., a company which he founded in 1999. Mr. Orloff's Capitol Hill experience was under the chairmanship or personal offices of Senator Edward Kennedy. He served as professional staff to the U.S. Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Antitrust and Monopolies and the full Senate Judiciary Committee. Mr. Orloff also served as a Legislative Assistant and senior staff member to Senator Kennedy, and was responsible for appropriations legislation and the development of legislation in a multitude of different areas. Subsequently, he served in Senator Kennedy's campaign for President in 1 980 as coordinator for New England issues, and as State Campaign Manager for North Carolina.
In 1986, Mr. Orloff joined Cassidy and Associates as its fourth principal and was critical in the firm's expansion and development for the next ten years. In addition to appropriations work, Mr. Orloff has provided strategic counsel to state agencies, developers, colleges and universities, hospitals. and a wide range of companies from various industries.
Throughout his career in public affairs. Mr. Orloff has been active in national Democratic politics. He served on the National Finance Council or the Democratic Senate Campaign Committee and the board of the Fund for a Democratic Majority. Mr. Orloff graduated from Georgetown University in 1977, and received his Juris Doctor from The Columbus School of Law at Catholic University in I983.
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Capitol Partners' success is centered on our philosophy of Principals directly serving our clients, providing direct contact and taking full responsibility for achieving our clients' goals. Our personal attention given to all our clients and our meticulous study of every detail allows our public affairs lobbying and political consulting firm to provide a kind of service unmatched in Washington.
Our team has decades of experience working in the federal government and an exhaustive list of accomplishments representing organizations at the federal level. Our strong relationships with both political parties and the Congressional leadership afford our clients with incredible access to federal support and resources.
Carl B. Fisher brings over 30 years of experience working in business development and marketing in the defense marketplace to Capitol Partners. He has been a leader in the expansion of numerous companies and his strong ties with all levels of the U.S. military make him a tremendous asset to Capitol Partners’ high technology and defense related clients.
Prior to joining Capitol Partners, Mr. Fisher worked as the Director of Business Development for General Atomics, a leading firm in the field of high technology and research and development solutions. As Director of Business Development, he focused on building strong relationships between General Atomics and the Department of Defense, Department of Energy, Department of Transportation, and the Department of Homeland Security. His key business alliances assisted General Atomics in meeting the requirements for future critical U.S. Navy power, energy and weapons technologies.
Mr. Fisher has also worked as a Marketing Manager or Director of Business Development for a number of small high technology research and development firms where he was responsible for business development, product marketing plans, business acquisition strategies, the generation of customer briefings at senior Defense Department levels, and supported the introduction of innovative technologies to the defense and commercial marketplace.
His intimate knowledge of the defense industry from both the military and corporate perspective affords Capitol Partners' clients the ability to identify new markets and expand their business. By working directly with critical offices and personnel of the U.S. military, Mr. Fisher is able to assist our clients in developing and framing their products in such a way as to garner maximum military support.
Mr. Fisher graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1977 and served in the Navy for eight years.
Carl Holshouser provides a comprehensive knowledge of the legislative process and strong relationships with key members of Congress and staff. His unique, client-service oriented approach has resulted in unparalleled successes for Capitol Partners clients.
Mr. Holshouser began his work in public service in the Executive Office of the Attorney General of Texas and the Washington Office of Congressman Lamar Smith. Most recently, Mr. Holshouser served as Special Assistant and Personal Aide to Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX). In this role he staffed the Senator at all official appointments, hearings, interviews, and accompanied her to the Senate floor for votes. He similarly served as the Senator’s Travel Aide during the 2006 reelection cycle.
As a Congressional staffer, Mr. Holshouser witnessed countless attempts in which various organizations presented their requests to members of Congress. While participating in meetings with mayors, superintendents, chancellors, business executives, and community leaders, he gained an awareness of which requests were most effectively presented. With this understanding at hand, he developed a strategic formula to achieve the desired results for his clients. Capitol Partners has enjoyed years of success by applying this unique, modern formula to the needs of all the firm’s clients resulting in tens of millions of dollars in federal funding.
Adding to Mr. Holshouser’s ability to effectively manage complex legislative processes, he believes strongly in providing an exceptional client experience. From day one, he manages the needs of his clients directly and provides a diligent hands-on approach. This method includes frequent communication, a complete understanding of day-to-day needs, direct participation and planning of local events pertinent to client’s goals, and an “on call” mentality.
Brad Mollet brings his comprehensive knowledge of the legislative process and his numerous political ties to Capitol Partners.
Most recently, Mr. Mollet worked in the Office of Congresswoman Betsy Markey (CO-4) where he served as the Legislative Director. In that role, Mr. Mollet was responsible for managing seven staff members and implemented the legislative strategy for Congresswoman Markey’s agenda. Mr. Mollet was the point of contact for Rep. Markey’s office on a myriad of issues including agriculture, defense, education, energy, environment, labor and telecommunications. He also oversaw all appropriations and handled grant requests for the Congresswoman. In addition, he was responsible for briefing and staffing Congresswoman Markey on the Agriculture committee.
Prior to working for Rep. Markey, Mr. Mollet worked for Congressman Jim Matheson (UT-2), as a Legislative Assistant, focusing on several issues including homeland security, environment and natural resources, transportation, agriculture, labor, and appropriations requests. Additionally, Mr. Mollet staffed and prepared Rep. Matheson on the Science and Technology Committee. Rep. Matheson also served on the Energy and Commerce committee.
Mr. Mollet also served as a Research Assistant to Senator Tim Johnson (D-SD). A native of South Dakota, Mr. Mollet proudly worked for the Senator in conducting legislative research on defense issues as well as drafting legislation and amendments on homeland security issues. Mr. Mollet’s ties to the Senator’s office have proven valuable as the Senator Johnson’s multiple assignments include Chairman of the Appropriations subcommittee on Military Construction and Veterans affairs, and Chairman of the Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs subcommittee on financial institutions.
Mr. Mollet attended The University of Nebraska-Lincoln, where he studied Political Science.
Neil Hare is President of Global Vision Communications, LLC, a Washington, D.C.-based public relations and public affairs firm that provides strategic communications, business development, and small business outreach for corporations, trade associations, non-profits, and coalitions. The firm is highly regarded for its expertise in designing campaigns to achieve the public policy goals of its clients.
Global Vision represents the United States Chamber of Commerce, and using advanced web technology, runs grass tops and grass roots campaigns through networks of various chambers and associations throughout the United States. He is a frequent speaker inside and outside the Beltway on the intersection of Washington politics and policy and business.
Mr. Hare also founded iSupport Digital, a web services company for trade associations, their members, and non-profits. iSupport Digital specializes in open source content and constituent management systems, social media integration, and search engine optimization.
Previously, Mr. Hare served as vice president of Corporate Communications at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, where he managed public policy awareness campaigns aimed at the Chamber’s 3 million members on issues such as tax and regulatory reform, market driven health care, energy, free trade, and expanded transportation and infrastructure. Prior to taking over the communications position, he served as vice president of the National Chamber Foundation, the Chamber’s public policy think tank.
Before joining the Chamber, he was the content director of USLaw.com, the nation’s leading Web site offering legal information and services to consumers and small businesses.
Mr. Hare also worked in a Washington, D.C. law firm, specializing in international law and litigation, and as a legal editor for the Bureau of National Affairs (BNA), covering America’s securities markets. He appeared regularly on CNBC, MSNBC, and FoxNews as an expert on day trading and wrote columns on securities regulations for financial publications. He is the author of a novel, An Animal Cries, published in 1998 by Castle Pacific Publishing.
Mr. Hare received a J.D. from American University’s Washington College of Law and a B.A. in international relations from Tufts University. He is a member of the New York Bar and the District of Columbia Bar. He lives in Washington, D.C. with his wife Kate and three children.
Anna Forsberg brings to Capitol Partners a strong background of international business experience. Most recently she served as an executive assistant in Strasbourg, France, where she managed the affairs of both an internationally renowned orchestra conductor and a pan-European broadcast journalist.
Prior to working in Strasbourg, Ms. Forsberg gained a variety of experiences in a wide range of business environments and cultures. While studying Mandarin during a semester abroad in Beijing, China, she was a web contributor for NBC Television, conducting research for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games and writing for a blog on MSNBC.com. Previously, she has also worked for Music@Menlo, in Menlo Park, CA, where she assisted in hosting post-concert events by drafting fundraising proposals as well as organizing, recruiting and training volunteers.
Ms. Forsberg attended Miami University of Ohio, where she received a B.S. In Business-Economics with a secondary concentration in English Language and Literature. During her college career, she managed Miami University's tour guide staff and was also actively involved in the campus chapter of College Democrats.
David Whitmore brings over two decades of diverse Chief Operations Officer/Chief Financial Officer experience to boards, executives and senior management requiring expert assistance in mergers and acquisitions, financial strategy, and in managing the resources that drive organizational performance.
David was Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Operating Officer and General Counsel of Qorvis Communications, a rapid-growth public relations firm that counts among its clients the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. David was Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and member of the Board of Directors of Shandwick Washington/The Cassidy Companies, the Washington, D.C. branch of Weber/Shandwick Worldwide, one of the world's leading public relations firms and a subsidiary or the Interpublic Group of Companies, a global advertising and communications holding company.
David has served as a senior executive in a number or other entrepreneurial firms, where his proven skills, practiced counsel and adroit trouble-shooting have been instrumental to corporate growth and success.
David Bates is President of DQB International, an international business advisory firm. He has over 30 years of experience in politics, government, business and law.
Prior to opening his own firm in 2000, Mr. Bates served as Managing Director at Public Strategies, Inc., an Austin-based public affairs firm. He also was Partner in Bayless, Boland, Bates & Madigan, Inc., a D.C.-based consulting firm. In these capacities, Mr. Bates represented Fortune 500 companies, advising them on strategic planning issues, international trade, and U.S. legislative and regulatory matters.
Mr. Bates served in the White House as an Assistant to President George H.W. Bush and Secretary to the Cabinet, coordinating the activities and policies of the Cabinet Department and the White House. Mr. Bates also served in then-Vice President Bush’s Office as Deputy Chief of Staff.
During the first term of the Reagan administration, Mr. Bates served as an official of the U.S. Department of the Treasury, first as Deputy Assistant Secretary for Regulatory, Tariff and Trade Enforcement and, later, as Deputy Treasurer of the United States. At Treasury, he received the Meritorious Service Award.
Mr. Bates is a native of Houston, Texas. He received a Bachelor’s degree in History from the University of Texas at Austin and a Juris Doctorate from the University of Houston Law Center. He currently serves as Chairman of the Advisory Council of the George H.W. Bush Presidential Library Foundation and is a current Board Member and past President of the Admiral Nimitz Foundation in Fredericksburg, Texas. In addition, he is a member of the Advisory Council of the Liberal Arts Foundation of the University of Texas and is a former Board Member of the Student Loan Marketing Association. He also is a Fellow to the British-American Project and is a guest lecturer in government and politics at Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas. Mr. Bates and his wife, Anne, and their three children reside in San Antonio, Texas.
Mitch Butler works with Natural Resource Results LLC representing clients on government affairs issues with an emphasis on natural resources conservation, historic preservation and public lands. Mr. Butler began working with Natural Resource Results in December of 2008, having recently served as a Deputy Assistant Secretary of the U.S. Department of the Interior where he was responsible for policy development, management and oversight of the National Park Service and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. While at Interior, Mr. Butler oversaw the completion of more than fifteen federal land transfers and exchanges.
Prior to joining Interior, Mr. Butler served as an Associate Director and Attorney Advisor for the White House Council on Environmental Quality where he was responsible for the development of natural resources conservation and historic preservation policy. In this capacity, Mr. Butler was the CEQ lead for development of the $3billion National Parks Centennial Initiative. He was also the lead for legislation proposed by the Administration, which has since been enacted, to significantly expand tax incentives for the donation of conservation easements. During his tenure at the White House, Mr. Butler co-chaired the President’s Cooperative Conservation Task Force and was the CEQ lead for legislation enacted in 2009 to authorize the Preserve America and Save America’s Treasures programs.
Prior to the White House, Mr. Butler served as Senior Legislative Assistant to Congressman Scott McInnis, past Chairman of the House Resources Forests Subcommittee. In this capacity, Mr. Butler was the Congressman’s lead on successful efforts to establish the Great Sand Dunes National Park, passage of the Ute Indian Air Quality Act and creation of the Rio Grande Outstanding Natural Area. An avid hunter and fisherman, Mr. Butler spent six summers as a fishing guide in Alaska. He is a graduate of the University of Denver College of Law and the University of Vermont. Mr. Butler and his family reside in Washington, DC.
Before starting his own firm, Mirijanian was a founding principal and Vice President of the DCS Group where he directed and implemented crisis and litigation communications efforts, with a primary focus on national media, on behalf of corporate clients and law firms on a variety of high profile topics, including class action suits, proposed corporate mergers, international trade disputes, casino gaming and public health issues.
Utilizing decade-long relationships with the national press corps, he initiated and managed the media coverage and editorials that have appeared in national outlets, including The Washington Post, New York Times, Wall Street Journal, along with the broadcast networks. He has also devised and executed media tours, editorial board meetings and talk radio campaigns for clients in markets across the country.
Mirijanian also managed the media inquiries and served as spokesperson for attorney Jack Quinn who represented Marc Rich in his pardon appeal to former President Clinton. He is a crisis communications commentator in national publications, and for NBC's Today Show, The FOX NEWS Channel, MSNBC's "Hardball with Chris Matthews", and CNBC's Power Lunch and Morning Call.
He also worked as a political media consultant, was Northeast Regional Coordinator for People for the American Way, the non-profit constitutional liberties organization, and, in 1984, was a press aide in the office of Senator Edward M. Kennedy.
James Rowan, Jr. is a Managing Director of Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated, a full service investment banking firm (formerly Legg Mason Capital Markets.) Stifel Nicolaus provides investment advisory, securities brokerage, mortgage banking, and corporate and public finance services to individuals, corporations, institutions and municipalities. He directs the corporate finance practice on education and training, and has done so since 1995, when he conceived, initiated and executed a plan to develop a significant role for Legg Mason investment banking in the proprietary education and training industries.
Since then, the Education Banking Group has represented numerous clients, including: Laureate Educate, Inc., Strayer Education, The Princeton Review, Capella Education, Educate, Career Education Corp., Whitman Education and Nobel Learning Communities. These include initial public offerings, private placements, merger/acquisition advisory, valuations and fairness opinions. Within the field of education, Stifel Nicolaus is recognized today as one of the leading investment banking firms in the United States.
Immediately prior to Legg Mason and Stifel Nicolaus, Rowan was a venture capitalist for six years. Prior to that, he was a senior financial executive at ITT Corporation and City Investing Company. A graduate of The Lawrenceville School, he received a B.A. in Economics from Cornell University and an M.B.A. in Finances from the Johnson School of Management at Cornell. Jim resides in Chevy Chase, MD with spouse Emily Train Rowan and daughters Emily and Aileen.
He has taught part-time at the college level and served on the Advisory Board of the University of Baltimore. He is currently chairman of the board of ConservAmerica and is on the Financial Advisory Council of the Career College Association. He remains active in alumni affairs at Lawrenceville and Cornell.
Stuart Spencer brings over a decade of political and policy experience at the most senior levels on behalf of his clients.
Prior to entering the private sector in 2003, Spencer served as Staff Director to the powerful Committee on Rules, Subcommittee on Legislative Process, as well as Chief of Staff to current Rules chair Louise Slaughter (D-NY). As part of the Democratic Leadership team, Mr. Spencer worked with staff from all House committees to craft the Democratic agenda during floor debate, advocating priorities and devising procedural strategies to ensure full consideration of their positions. As Chief of Staff, Mr. Spencer acted as senior advisor and strategist on policy, communications and political issues while overseeing Washington, D.C. and New York staff and operations.
Prior to his becoming Chief of Staff, Spencer served as Rep. Slaughter's legislative counsel for the House Government Reform and Oversight Committee during the investigations of Executive branch actions regarding federal law enforcement operations at Waco, White House-FBI interaction, and White House database inquiries.
Mr. Spencer received his B.A. from Princeton University, and graduated cum laude from Tulane Law School in May 1995 serving as Editor-in-Chief of the Tulane Environmental Law Journal. A native of San Antonio, Texas, Mr. Spencer is also a Member of the Texas Bar.
John Stiles brings a varied experience to the team. He began his career after college with Bechtel Power building nuclear power plants and left as a senior field engineer to enter law school. Mr. Stiles spent 13 years in private law practice concentrating in transactional real estate and construction disputes. He left the private practice of law to form a specialized company for the installation and repair of detention and control equipment in city, county, state, and federal detention facilities. His company completed two 2250 bed prison facilities in Texas, along with other smaller facilities in and out of Texas.
For the last 15 years, Mr. Stiles has been a consultant to small and medium sized companies and high net worth individuals on a wide range of issues. He has created a business of identifying problems and issues, identifying and hiring the proper people for the solution, and managing the issue resolution. Mr. Stiles is a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin with an electrical engineering degree, and is a graduate of St. Mary's University with a Doctor of Jurisprudence degree.