The government affairs practice of Covington & Burling has a new leader.
Dan Bryant has left his post as senior vice president of global public policy and government affairs at PepsiCo Inc. to become Covington's chief lobbyist, the firm announced on Monday. He succeeds Covington partner Holly Fechner and senior counsel Martin Gold, who were co-chairs of the government affairs practice. Fechner has become vice chair of the practice, while Gold has assumed senior status at the firm, according to Covington spokeswoman Rebecca Carr.
Bryant said he "learned a ton" about international business and politics during his seven-year run at PepsiCo, which he joined after serving in the U.S. Justice Department. Under U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft, he spent stints leading the Legal Policy and Legislative Affairs offices.
Bryant said he is looking to strengthen Covington's lobbying capabilities in the regulatory sphere, grow talent and bring the members of the government affairs practice into closer alignment with their colleagues at the firm's offices in Beijing and Brussels.
He said he is excited about his new job.
"I've long had very high regard for Covington," Bryant said.
Larry Thompson, executive vice president and general counsel of PepsiCo, said in a written statement that the company is "sorry to see him go." Thompson, a former deputy attorney general, had served with Bryant at DOJ before joining PepsiCo.
"Dan has led masterfully, bringing people from all sides to the table to reach the best possible solutions, for our country and for one of its iconic companies," Thompson said.
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