WASHINGTON: Manning. Selvage & Lee is beefing up its presence in the competitive public affairs market and has hired Lawrence Haas to head up the area in its Global Corporate practice.
WASHINGTON: Manning. Selvage & Lee is beefing up its presence in the competitive public affairs market and has hired Lawrence Haas to head up the area in its Global Corporate practice.
Haas was most recently director of public affairs and special assistant to Yale University president Richard Levin. But he has roots in Washington, having been a writer for National Journal and worked for four years for the Clinton administration - including one year as vice president Al Gore's communications director and principal spokesperson.
Haas' experience as communications director for the Office of Management and Budget while working for the Clinton Administration will enable him to offer budget and tax expertise. He will take over the PA position from Joe Gleason, who is managing director of MS&L's Global Corporate practice.
Gleason admitted Haas' Gore connection might have been a boost for the firm had Gore been elected. 'But that does not detract from Larry Haas,' emphasized Gleason.
MS&L's Washington, DC, public affairs practice has the American Medical Association as a client and has also performed work for the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers.
After splitting from the company Capitoline a few years ago, MS&L had a 10-person office. Now it has 25 employees and reported nearly dollars 5 million in income for 1999. Gleason indicated that the firm is considering expanding through hiring or acquisition, and by adding grassroots, lobbying or advocacy advertising capabilities.
