Public Policy Agenda Number 2. CONTACT: Bridget Schwartz-Manock Jeff Gray 623-869-2150 623-869-2425 [email protected] [email protected] MEETING DATE: Thursday, September 6, 2018 AGENDA ITEM: Annual Review of State and Federal Lobbying Contracts - Gray LINKAGE TO STRATEGIC PLAN, POLICY, STATUTE OR GUIDING PRINCIPLE: Leadership & Public Trust: Relationships – Improve relationships with customers and stakeholders Leadership & Public Trust: CAP Board Leadership – Equip Board members to effectively represent CAP and its positions PREVIOUS BOARD ACTION/ACTIVITY: November 2, 2017, the Public Policy Committee discussed the performance of Isaacson & Walsh and provided a favorable review. ISSUE SUMMARY/DESCRIPTION: Pursuant to the CAWCD Board Bylaws, the Public Policy Committee is required to annually review the performance of its contract lobbyists and provide recommendations to the Board (6.02 c). CAWCD’s current state lobbying contracts are with Isaacson & Walsh and Compass Strategies. CAWCD’s federal lobbying firm is Brownstein Hyatt Farber and Schreck. State Isaacson & Walsh - Isaacson & Walsh is a Phoenix-based, lobbying and government relations firm that has represented CAWCD for 34 years, since 1985. Its principal, Don Isaacson, is an Arizona State University (ASU) law graduate who has been in private practice since 1981. From 1975 through 1981, he served as Majority Counsel to the Arizona House of Representatives and has served on numerous boards and professional associations throughout his career. Mr. Isaacson’s partner, Cheyenne Walsh, is a University of Arizona law graduate who also holds a Master of Public Administration degree from ASU. Ms. Walsh has worked as a legislative intern in the Arizona Senate, a legislative associate at the League of Arizona Cities and Towns, and an attorney at the law firm of Squire Patton Boggs. Compass Strategies – Led by Managing Partner Kelsey Lundy, Compass Strategies has provided CAWCD expertise and leadership in lobbying and consulting services at the State Capitol for about one year. Ms. Lundy has more than 20 years government relations experience at all levels of government. A graduate of the University of Arizona, Ms. Lundy served in various capacities at the Arizona House of Representatives, the Office of Arizona Attorney General Grant Woods and the Office of U.S. Senator John McCain. In addition, Senior Associate Sara Sparman and Senior Associate Jessie Armendt complete a team at Compass that works on behalf of CAWCD. Ms. Sparman has more than 14 years of government affairs, lobbying, and public policy experience and is a graduate of Arizona State University. Ms. Armendt has nearly a decade of state government and public relations experience and is a graduate of Rice University. Federal Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck (BHFS): BHFS is a law firm of more than 500 professional staff members in 11 offices across the country, including Washington, D.C. Celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, BHFS provides a host of services to its clientele and has represented CAWCD’s interests in Washington for more than one year. The lead BHFS representative for CAWCD is Ryan Smith, who is a BHFS Shareholder with several ties to Arizona. Prior to joining BHFS, Mr. Smith served as a Senior Legislative Advisor for then Senate Minority Whip Jon Kyl and was the Deputy Counsel for the Arizona Department of Water Resources and Counsel for the Arizona Water Banking Authority. Bella Sewall Wolitz is a Consulting Attorney at the firm, who has extensive experience working with federal agencies on issues involving federal Reclamation law, federal Indian law, and environmental law. During 13 years with the U.S. Department of the Interior, Ms. Sewall Wolitz served as an attorney in the Solicitor’s Office advising the Bureau of Reclamation, the Bureau of Indian Affairs and the U.S. Geological Survey, and she also served as Assistant Legislative Counsel in the Office of the Secretary. The BHFS team working for CAWCD also includes William McGrath and Jon Hrobsky, who provide us expertise on issues related to the Navajo Generating Station. Mr. McGrath is a Shareholder at the firm and was a former staff director for the Interior, Energy and Environment Subcommittee of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee. While serving as staff director, Mr. McGrath worked extensively on legislation to improve the concessions process within the U.S. Department of the Interior and the U.S. Forest Service. Mr. Hrobsky is a Policy Director at BHFS who focuses on matters across the energy, environment and natural resources spectrum. He has extensive experience at the Department of the Interior in the Office of the Secretary and was the former deputy director of the U.S. Minerals Management Service within Interior. SCHEDULED BOARD ACTION: No ATTACHMENTS: None .