Lobbying firm Van Scoyoc Associates is starting a new consulting subsidiary, VSConsulting Inc., to advise firms on dealing with Washington and marketing to the government.
H. Stewart "Stu" Van Scoyoc, who will serve as president and CEO of the consulting subsidiary as well as the lobbying firm, said the new company will take over non-lobbying activities that the firm is already doing in some cases.
"There's work that we're doing that really clearly is not lobbying," he said, adding that some of the regulations the Obama administration has put on registered lobbyists prompted him to look at the work the firm was doing, and clearly distinguish the different services. The new company and the lobbying firm will refer clients to each other.
The firm has hired two vice presidents for the new consulting arm, Martin Cargas and Christopher Bourne. Neither is expected to register to lobby. Bourne is a former colonel in the U.S. Marine Corps who has served in Afghanistan and Iraq, according to a statement released by the firm. He is expected to work with companies interested in government contracting, especially in the military sector.
Cargas, 51, is a former vice president of global and environmental policy at Anheuser-Busch Companies Inc., a longtime Van Scoyoc client. He left the company last year. He worked on relations with foreign governments, including China. He said he expects to work with foreign companies interested in investing in the United States, among others.
"We solve the Washington jigsaw [puzzle] with them," he said. "We explain how Washington works, explain why they need representation in Washington, explain what they need to know, who they need to know." Cargas said he also expects to work with domestic clients.
Van Scoyoc already owns The Implementation Group, a consulting firm that helps universities and other organizations position themselves for federal grants and contracts. That firm will continue, Van Scoyoc said. Van Scoyoc Associates was number 11 on last year’s Influence 50 list, with $26.4 million in revenue for 2008.
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