Van Scoyoc Associates

Van Scoyoc Associates is a lobbying/government affairs firm. It was founded in 1990, by H. Stewart 'Stu' Van Scoyoc, current President and Chief Executive Officer. [http://www.vsadc.com/pages/vans.htm home page biography] VSA is a sub division of The Van Scoyoc Companies, which have emerged as preeminent full-service government affairs firms with a national reputation as industry leaders. The Van Scoyoc Companies contains: The Implementation Group, Inc., a multi-service consulting firm, and Capitol Decisions, Inc., a full-service government relations and public affairs firm which provides effective counsel and personal service for clients in the public, private, and non-profit sectors. All three subdivisions (VSA, TIG, and CDI) are allied with Van Scoyoc Kelly PLLC, a firm of attorneys and professionals who provide solutions for companies doing business with the government whether it be in the halls of Congress, government agencies, or the courtroom. [ http://www.vsadc.com/ Home website ] Van Scoyoc Associates (VSA) represents 20 of the largest 200 US corporations, as well as more than 50 universities (and their medical centers), trade associations, non-profits, and foreign governments. Van Scoyoc Associates has emerged as the largest and most prestigious independent government affairs firm in Washington. [ http://www.washingtonian.com/articles/mediapolitics/4264.html Hired Guns: The city's 50 top lobbyists, By Kim Eisler, washingtonian.com]

Contracts

VSA has a $55,000 per month contract with Pakistan to assist with relations in trade with India. [ http://thehill.com/business--lobby/pakistan-builds-up-d.c.-presence-with-cassidy-contract-2007-10-25.html Pakistan builds up D.C. presence with Cassidy contract. By Kevin Bogardus. October 25, 2007] Pakistan’s role both as a key non-NATO ally of the U.S.-led war against terrorism and a host to a population of Islamic extremists has made its relationship with Congress and the White House increasingly complex in recent years. Mark Tavlarides, Vice President of VSA experiences on the Hill and in the Clinton administration has assisted in making him an effective lobbyist for Pakistan. With the change in administration in 2001, Tavlarides took a job at Van Scoyoc to keep a finger on Congress’s pulse and continue to advance his passion for international relations. [ http://thehill.com/business--lobby/d.c.-native-parlays-local-know-how-in-international-lobbying-efforts-2007-09-25.html D.C. native parlays local know-how in international lobbying efforts By Roxana Tiron September 25, 2007 ]

Lobbying

Records from the Clerk of the House of Representatives [http://clerk.house.gov/ Records for the Clerk of the House of Representatives] provides a list of 273 of the firm's lobbying clients. Van Scoyoc Associates represents 20 of the largest 200 corporations, as well as more than 50 universities, trade associations, non-profits, and foreign governments. Annual revenue for VSA is approximately $30 million a year, making it one of the top 3 grossing firms in Washington.

Issues surrounding Lobbying

On July 31, 2005, Montana native Randy Popelka quit his job as a vice-president of Van Scoyoc Associates, a major Washington, D.C., lobbying firm. Shortly afterwards he went to work as legislative director for Sen. Conrad Burns, R-Mont. While Congress is speculated to tighten some rules on relations between lobbyists and lawmakers this year, lobbyists cite the constitutional right to petition the government, saying they navigate complex legislative issues to help businesses and cities grow. As well as assist colleges and other groups get the funding they need. [ http://www.helenair.com/articles/2006/03/05/montana_top/a01030506_01.txt Study: Burns tied to lobbyistsBy JENNIFER McKEE - Lee State Bureau - and NOELLE STRAUB - Lee Washington Bureau - 03/05/06 ]

Donations

Listed below is a short compilation of private donations from executives and employees from VSA.VSA/Vice president Prenda, Brian J. donated $1,000 on 5/31/2005 to Pete V. Domenici (R-NM). [ http://herndon1.sdrdc.com/cgi-bin/fecimg/?C00343277 Presented by the Federal Election Commission] VSA/Vice President Klatt, Victor F. Donated $2,000 on 3/31/2005 to Ralph Regula (R-Ohio). [ http://herndon1.sdrdc.com/cgi-bin/fecimg/?C00389668 Presented by the Federal Election Commission] VSA?President donated $5,000 on 3/31/2004 to Pete Visclosky (D-Ind). [ http://herndon1.sdrdc.com/cgi-bin/fecimg/?C00386300 Presented by the Federal Election Commission ]

References

http://www.vsadc.com/ Home website

http://www.washingtonian.com/articles/mediapolitics/4264.html Hired Guns: The city's 50 top lobbyists, By Kim Eisler, washingtonian.com

http://thehill.com/business--lobby/pakistan-builds-up-d.c.-presence-with-cassidy-contract-2007-10-25.html Pakistan builds up D.C. presence with Cassidy contract. By Kevin Bogardus. October 25, 2007

http://thehill.com/business--lobby/d.c.-native-parlays-local-know-how-in-international-lobbying-efforts-2007-09-25.html D.C. native parlays local know-how in international lobbying efforts By Roxana Tiron September 25, 2007

http://clerk.house.gov/ Records for the Clerk of the House of Representatives

http://www.helenair.com/articles/2006/03/05/montana_top/a01030506_01.txt Study: Burns tied to lobbyists By Jennifer Mckee - Lee State Bureau - and Noelle Straub - Lee Washington Bureau - 03/05/06

http://herndon1.sdrdc.com/cgi-bin/fecimg/?C00343277 Presented by the Federal Election Commission

http://herndon1.sdrdc.com/cgi-bin/fecimg/?C00389668 Presented by the Federal Election Commission

http://herndon1.sdrdc.com/cgi-bin/fecimg/?C00386300 Presented by the Federal Election Commission