User:16912 Rhiannon/CGCN Group

CGCN Group originated from the lobbying firm created by Steve Clark in 2000. Sam Geduldig and Gary Lytle joined Clark in 2007, and the firm became known as Clark Lytle & Geduldig.{{cite news |title=Suite Talk: Health care boost |last1=McCarthy |first1=Aoife |url=http://www.politico.com/story/2007/09/suite-talk-health-care-boost-005868 |newspaper=Politico |date=17 September 2007 |accessdate=5 August 2017}}

The firm worked with financial services companies during the financial reform debate from 2009 to 2010, involving laws like the Dodd–Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. At the time, CGCN had more financial services clients in Washington, D.C., than other firms during the Troubled Asset Relief Program.{{cite news |title=A rundown of the big financial service lobbyists |url=https://dealbook.nytimes.com/2010/06/08/a-rundown-of-the-big-financial-services-lobbyists/?_php=true&_type=blogs&_r=0 |newspaper=The New York Times |date=8 June 2010 |accessdate=5 August 2017}} In the wake of Republicans taking control of Congress in 2010, CGCN saw strong growth in its business and the firm doubled in size from 2015 to 2017.{{cite news |title=Akin Gump, BHFS, Podesta Group top LDA ranking |last1=Arnsdorf |first1=Isaac |url=http://www.politico.com/tipsheets/politico-influence/2017/01/akin-gump-bhfs-podesta-group-top-lda-ranking-218382 |newspaper=Politico |date=24 January 2017 |accessdate=5 August 2017}} While closely tied to GOP leadership—its partners have worked with former House Speaker John Boehner and others—CGCN was among the first lobbying firms to court the conservative Freedom Caucus.{{cite news |title=Sam Geduldig: 40 Under 40 |last1=Kashino |first1=Marisa M. |url=https://www.washingtonian.com/2011/05/23/sam-geduldig-40-under-40/ |newspaper=Washingtonian |date=23 May 2011 |accessdate=5 August 2017}}{{cite news |title=One firm's take on doing business in Trump's Washington |last1=Arnsdorf |first1=Isaac |url=http://www.politico.com/tipsheets/politico-influence/2016/12/one-firms-take-on-doing-business-in-trumps-washington-217967 |newspaper=Politico |date=20 December 2016 |accessdate=5 August 2017}}

The firm was known as Clark Lytle Geduldig & Cranford and Clark Geduldig Cranford & Nielsen between 2011 and 2015,{{cite news |title=Top Lobbyists: Hired Guns |url=http://thehill.com/business-a-lobbying/185843-top-lobbyists-hired-guns |newspaper=The Hill |date=5 October 2011 |accessdate=16 August 2017}}{{cite news |title=Gary Lytle begins long goodbye |last1=Ackley |first1=Kate |url=http://www.rollcall.com/news/policy/lytle-begins-long-goodbye |newspaper=Roll Call |date=11 December 2013 |accessdate=5 August 2017}} when the firm renamed itself CGCN Group. In 2015, CGCN's clients included oil companies, such as Hess, for whom they lobbied to end the ban of crude oil exports.{{cite news |title=Inside the lobbying campaign to end the ban on crude oil exports |last1=Ho |first1=Catherine |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/powerpost/wp/2015/12/17/inside-the-lobbying-campaign-to-end-the-ban-on-crude-oil-exports/?utm_term=.8489d62e1fcb |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=17 December 2015 |accessdate=5 August 2017}} CGCN was named a top lobbying firm by Bloomberg Government in 2015.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbhub.io/bgov/sites/12/2016/03/2015-Top-Lobbying-Firms.pdf |title=2015 Top Lobbying Firms |date=2015 |publisher=Bloomberg Government |accessdate=5 August 2017}}

CGCN began working with foreign clients in 2016 when Saudi Arabia hired the firm to build relationships with U.S. congressional Republicans.{{cite news |title=Saudis tap CGCN |last1=Arnsdorf |first1=Isaac |url=http://www.politico.com/tipsheets/politico-influence/2016/12/saudis-tap-cgcn-217707 |newspaper=Politico |date=5 December 2016 |accessdate=5 August 2017}} The next year, CGCN signed Japan as its second foreign client.{{cite news |title=Ballard Partners snags Robert Wexler |last1=Meyer |first1=Theodoric |url=http://www.politico.com/tipsheets/politico-influence/2017/04/ballard-partners-snags-robert-wexler-219765 |newspaper=Politico |date=13 April 2017 |accessdate=5 August 2017}} In 2017, CGCN lobbied for: SAP America on data security, privacy, cybersecurity, health IT, cloud computing and privacy shield implementation;{{cite news |title=Sphere signs Sberbank |last1=Arnsdorf |first1=Isaac |url=http://www.politico.com/tipsheets/politico-influence/2017/01/sphere-signs-sberbank-218285 |newspaper=Politico |date=18 January 2017 |accessdate=5 August 2017}} Puerto Rico Department of Treasury;{{cite news |title=Urologists fight over control of PAC |last1=Meyer |first1=Theodoric |url=http://www.politico.com/tipsheets/politico-influence/2017/04/urologists-fight-over-control-of-pac-219693 |newspaper=Politico |date=10 April 2017 |accessdate=5 August 2017}} American Investment Council, a private equity trade group;{{cite news |title=Jim Murphy to BakerHostetler |last1=Arnsdorf |first1=Isaac |url=http://www.politico.com/tipsheets/politico-influence/2017/01/jim-murphy-to-bakerhostetler-218115 |newspaper=Politico |date=6 January 2017 |accessdate=5 August 2017}} power company NextEra Energy on energy policy and tax credits; and TransCanada Corp. on the Keystone XL pipeline.{{cite news |title=Keystone pipeline builder signs lobbyist |last1=Cama |first1=Timothy |url=http://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/319774-keystone-pipeline-builder-signs-lobbyist |newspaper=The Hill |date=15 February 2017 |accessdate=5 August 2017}} The firm's other clients include 21st Century Fox, Microsoft, MasterCard and Boeing. Also in 2017, CGCN announced a partnership with four Democratic firms with close ties to the Congressional Black and Congressional Hispanic caucuses to seek bipartisan victories, potentially in the areas of "jobs, transportation infrastructure, outside investment, energy, and economic development", according to a memo on the partnership.{{cite web |url=https://www.axios.com/trump-sees-congressional-black-caucus-as-potential-ally-2331120569.html |title=Trump sees Black Caucus as potential policy ally |author=Jonathan Swan |date=26 March 2017 |publisher=Axios |accessdate=5 August 2017}}

CGCN Group is a private company headquartered in Washington, D.C.{{cite web |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/profiles/companies/0700596D:US-cgcn-group-llc |title=CGCN Group |publisher=Bloomberg LP |accessdate=5 August 2017}} The all-Republican lobbying firm has ties to GOP leadership and the party's conservative wing.{{cite news |title=GOP lobby shop courts black and Hispanic Democrats in vacuum left by liberal establishment |last1=Grim |first1=Ryan |url=https://theintercept.com/2017/06/14/cgcn-group-congressional-black-caucus-hispanic-poverty/ |newspaper=The Intercept |date=14 June 2017 |accessdate=5 August 2017}}{{cite news |title=K Street poised for big business in GOP-run Washington |last1=Arnsdorf |first1=Isaac |url=http://www.politico.com/story/2016/11/k-street-lobbyists-gop-rule-231129 |newspaper=Politico |date=9 November 2016 |accessdate=5 August 2017}} Its clients include banks, finance, and oil companies, in addition to companies such as 21st Century Fox, Microsoft, MasterCard, and Boeing.{{cite news |title=WSJ reporter Patrick O'Connor joining CGCN Group |last1=Sherman |first1=Jake |url=http://www.politico.com/story/2016/09/wsj-reporter-patrick-oconnor-joining-cgcn-group-227752 |newspaper=Politico |date=6 September 2016 |accessdate=5 August 2017}} CGCN Group's partners consistently rank on The Hill's list of top lobbyists.{{cite news |title=Top Lobbyists 2013 |url=http://thehill.com/business-lobbying/business-lobbying/188607-top-lobbyists-2013 |newspaper=The Hill |date=30 October 2013 |accessdate=5 August 2017}}{{cite news |title= The Hill's 2012 Top Lobbyists |url=http://thehill.com/business-a-lobbying/264987-2012-top-lobbyists |newspaper=The Hill |date=31 October 2012 |accessdate=5 August 2017}}{{cite news |title=Top Lobbyists 2014: Hired Guns |url=http://thehill.com/business-a-lobbying/business-a-lobbying/221478-top-lobbyists-2014-hired-guns |newspaper=The Hill |date=22 October 2014 |accessdate=5 August 2017}}{{cite news |title=Top Lobbyists 2015: Hired Guns |url=http://thehill.com/business-a-lobbying/top-lobbyists/258462-top-lobbyists-2015-hired-guns |newspaper=The Hill |date=29 October 2015 |accessdate=5 August 2017}}{{cite news |title=Top Lobbyists 2016: Hired Guns |url=http://thehill.com/business-a-lobbying/top-lobbyists/302777-top-lobbyists-2016-hired-guns |newspaper=The Hill |date=26 October 2016 |accessdate=5 August 2017}} A report by Bloomberg Government gave CGCN the highest mark for firms retaining clients over the long term.{{cite news |title=K Street's gains felt at boutique firms |last1=Wilson |first1=Megan R. |url=http://thehill.com/business-a-lobbying/243231-k-streets-gains-felt-at-boutique-firms-too |newspaper=The Hill |date=27 May 2017 |accessdate=5 August 2017}} According to Bloomberg, CGCN retains 83 percent of its clients for at least three years, a higher percentage than other firms.

CGCN Group has 10 partners as of July 2017: Steve Clark, Jay Cranford, Mike Freeman, Sam Geduldig, Mike Nielsen, Patrick O'Connor, Doug Schwartz, John Stipicevic, Ken Spain and Juliane Sullivan.{{cite web |url=http://www.cgcn.com/our-team/ |title=Our partners |publisher=CGCN.com |accessdate=5 August 2017}}

Partner Steve Clark began the firm in 2000 in Ohio.{{cite news |title=K Street Files: Clark Lytle, Thorn Run Add New Partners |last1=Ackley |first1=Kate |url=http://www.rollcall.com/news/k_street_files_clark_lytle_thorn_run_add_new_partners-220487-1.html |newspaper=Roll Call |date=2 January 2013 |accessdate=5 August 2017}} Sam Geduldig joined in 2007, after previously working as senior advisor to U.S. Representative Roy Blunt and John Boehner's political director from 1997 to 2000.{{cite news |title=Sam Geduldig |url=http://www.salina.com/130766c7-9b68-5395-a8a8-0d0da3d5633f.html |newspaper=Salina Journal |date=15 October 2016 |accessdate=5 August 2017}}{{cite news |title=Lobbying firms to watch in the next Congress |last1=Levinson |first1=Alexis |url=http://dailycaller.com/2010/11/22/lobbying-firms-to-watch-in-the-next-congress/2/ |newspaper=Daily Caller |date=22 November 2010 |accessdate=5 August 2017}} In 2011, Geduldig was named one of Washingtonian 40 Under 40, and he ranked No. 3 on K Street's top 10 lobbyists giving to the GOP in 2016.{{cite news |title=Top K Street campaign donors already writing checks for 2018 |last1=Ackley |first1=Kate |url=http://www.rollcall.com/news/biggest-k-street-campaign-donors-write-checks-2018 |newspaper=Roll Call |date=7 March 2017 |accessdate=5 August 2017}} Clark and Geduldig are consistently named to The Hill's top lobbyists list. Geduldig first appeared on the list in 2008.{{cite news |title=Best in the business: Hired guns |url=http://thehill.com/business-a-lobbying/3557-best-in-the-business-hired-guns |newspaper=The Hill |date=24 April 2008 |accessdate=5 August 2017}} Jay Cranford joined Clark Lytle & Geduldig in 2011.{{cite news |title=Boehner aide exiting for K Street |last1=Ackley |first1=Kate |url=http://www.rollcall.com/news/boehner_aide_exiting_for_k_street-205029-1.html |newspaper=Roll Call |date=18 April 2011 |accessdate=5 August 2017}} Cranford previously was a policy aide to Boehner and worked for the U.S. House's Natural Resources Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources. Cranford joined CGCN to build its energy and tech business. Mike Nielsen joined CGCN in 2013. He previously worked an aide to GOP members of the Senate Banking Committee and with U.S. Senator Bob Bennett.{{cite news |title=Bennett may head lobbying group |last1=Burr |first1=Thomas |last2=Canham |first2=Matt |url=http://archive.sltrib.com/story.php?ref=/sltrib/home/50696504-76/bennett-group-lee-senator.html.csp |newspaper=Salt Lake Tribune |date=17 November 2010 |accessdate=5 August 2017}} Nielsen worked on the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act and the Dodd-Frank financial overhaul.

Doug Schwartz became partner at CGCN in 2014. He was formerly chief of staff for the Senate Republican Conference and aide to U.S. Senator John Thune.{{cite news |title=Thune aide heads to GOP lobby shop |last1=Wilson |first1=Megan R. |url=http://thehill.com/business-a-lobbying/lobbying-hires/226769-thune-aide-heads-to-clark-geduldig-cranford-nielsen |newspaper=The Hill |date=11 December 2014 |accessdate=5 August 2017}} John Stipicevic was a member of House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy's office, where he liaisoned between GOP leadership and conservative members of Congress, before joining CGCN in 2015.{{cite news |title=Top McCarthy aide heading to K Street |last1=Sherman |first1=Jake |last2=Palmer |first2=Anna |url=http://www.politico.com/story/2015/12/kevin-mccarthy-lobbying-aide-216607 |newspaper=Politico |date=10 December 2015 |accessdate=5 August 2017}} Juliane Sullivan, a former staff director of the House Education and the Workforce Committee under John Kline and policy director for former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay, became partner in 2017. Patrick O'Connor, a former Washington reporter with Politico, Bloomberg News, and The Wall Street Journal who joined CGCN in 2016, launched the firm's strategic communications division. Ken Spain, who worked with Koch Industries and Private Equity Growth Capital Council, joined CGCN in 2016 to help bolster the strategic communications unit.{{cite news |title=K Street poised for big business in GOP-run Washington |last1=Arnsdorf |first1=Isaac |url=http://www.politico.com/story/2016/11/k-street-lobbyists-gop-rule-231129 |newspaper=Politico |date=9 November 2016 |accessdate=5 August 2017}}{{cite news |title=Koch's Spain to CGCN |last1=Arnsdorf |first1=Isaac |url=http://www.politico.com/tipsheets/politico-influence/2016/11/kochs-spain-to-cgcn-217296 |newspaper=Politico |date=8 November 2016 |accessdate=5 August 2017}} Mike Freeman, former counsel on the U.S. House Natural Resources Committee and advisor to U.S. Senator Mike Lee, joined in 2017.{{cite news |title=CGCN hires three |last1=Meyer |first1=Theodoric |url=http://www.politico.com/tipsheets/politico-influence/2017/05/cgcn-hires-three-220318 |newspaper=Politico |date=15 May 2017 |accessdate=5 August 2017}}

Michael Catanzaro, a top energy advisor to President Donald Trump, is a former partner at CGCN. Catanzaro became partner in 2015.{{cite web |url=http://lobbyists.insidegov.com/l/82474/Michael-Catanzaro-Cgcn-Group-LLC-2015-2016 |title=Michael Catanzaro |publisher=InsideGov.com |accessdate=5 August 2017}} He worked on Trump's transition team, following the 2016 election{{cite news |title=Trump campaigned against lobbyists, but now they're on his transition team |last1=Lipton |first1=Eric |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/11/12/us/politics/trump-campaigned-against-lobbyists-now-theyre-on-his-transition-team.html?_r=0 |newspaper=The New York Times |date=11 November 2016 |accessdate=5 August 2017}} Trump selected Catanzaro as a top energy advisor for the president's National Economic Council in 2017.{{cite news |title=Inside the White HOuse's policymaking juggernaut |last1=Cook |first1=Nancy |last2=Restuccia |first2=Andrew |url=http://www.politico.com/story/2017/07/05/trump-gary-cohn-policy-battles-national-economic-council-240217 |newspaper=Politico |date=5 July 2017 |accessdate=5 August 2017}}

{{reflist|30em}}

[http://www.cgcn.com/ Official website]

[https://www.campaignmoney.com/political/contributions/sam-geduldig.asp?cycle=16 Sam Geduldig political campaign contributions: 2016 election cycle]

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:Category:Lobbying firms based in Washington, D.C.