Barry Brandon and Galen Reser Join the Partners of C2 GROUP

Washington, DC (Vocus/PRWEB) February 25, 2011

C2 GROUP, a bipartisan government affairs consulting firm, announced today that Barry Brandon, one of the country’s most distinguished experts in federal Indian law and policy, and Galen Reser, former Vice President-Washington for PepsiCo, Inc., have joined as Partners of the firm. “These additions add to the depth and breadth of C2 GROUP’s experience and capabilities in Washington and broaden the firm’s expertise into exciting new areas,” said C2 GROUP co-founder Tom Crawford. “We are excited to combine Barry’s policy expertise and Galen’s Washington know-how with our existing base.”

Brandon has a broad background with more than 20 years of experience working with the federal government, both as a senior federal official and providing advice to private sector entities dealing with the federal government. Brandon is also well known in the area of federal Indian law as a policy strategist, corporate executive, litigator and expert witness. Prior to joining C2 GROUP, he was founder and president of Hvmken Consulting where his clients included an international resort and casino developer and one of the largest manufacturers of gaming machines and equipment in the country. He has provided legal, regulatory and policy advice to businesses seeking to partner with Indian tribes and tribal members and has served as an expert on behalf of large commercial lenders.

In 2004, Brandon served as Senior Vice-President and General Counsel at Seneca Gaming Corporation where he oversaw the legal, compliance and risk management of the parent corporation and three operating subsidiaries. Barry was instrumental in creating the Seneca Gaming Corporation while he served as a partner at the international law firm of Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld. Barry was a founding member of the American Indian Law and Policy Practice Group at the law firm, which was recently rated by Chambers USA as the top Native American law practice in the country.

During his term as a federal official, he served as General Counsel and Chief of Staff at the National Indian Gaming Commission, the federal regulatory agency responsible for the oversight of the $26 billion American Indian gaming industry. He was also served as a senior trial attorney at the United States Department of Justice and as an advisor in the Secretary’s Office at the United States Department of the Interior.

An enrolled member of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation and an adopted member of the Seneca Nation of Indians, Brandon received his undergraduate degree in political science at Western Washington University in Bellingham, WA and his law degree at the University of Washington in Seattle.

Galen Reser brings over thirty years of experience working as a senior official in government and directing the federal government affairs for one of the most iconic corporations in America. Reser served as Vice President of Government Affairs for PepsiCo, Inc. for nearly twenty years, directing the company’s federal government affairs and managing corporate advocacy efforts supporting the company’s positions on legislation relating to food safety, nutrition, environmental, labor, corporate governance and tax issues.

Prior to his service at PepsiCo, Galen was Assistant Secretary for Governmental Affairs at the US Department of Transportation under President George H. W. Bush. He was responsible for Congressional, Intergovernmental and Consumer Affairs for the department, with over 105,000 employees and a $24 billion annual budget. He served as principal advisor to the Secretary of Transportation on issues related to the Congress as well as state and local governments. C2 GROUP co-founder John Cline said, “Galen’s Washington experience combined with his experience at PepsiCo make his wise counsel indispensible. C2 has had the pleasure of working with Galen for many years and we are excited to continue our relationship with him and to be a beneficiary of his knowledge.”

From 1985 to 1988, Galen was the Director of the State of Illinois Washington Office under Governor James Thompson. In this capacity, he served as a member of the Governor’s cabinet and was the Governor’s principal liaison with the National Governor’s Association. Reser began his career in federal government when he served as the Legislative Director to US Senator Charles H. Percy. He was the Senator’s principal domestic advisor on all legislative issues and votes.

Reser has served on the Board of Directors for the National Conference of State Legislatures Foundation, and the Congressional Awards Foundation. He is a graduate of Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois.

About C2 Group

C2 GROUP provides an impressive list of clients with seasoned advice and unique attention – the partners set the strategies and perform the work. C2 GROUP has a proven track record of success, and many clients have been part of the landscape of the firm for over 15 years (Visit http://www.thec2group.com for a complete list of clients). Barry Brandon and Galen Reser join firm co-founders John Cline and Tom Crawford along with the firms’ other partners Michael Hanson, Nelson Litterst, Jeff Murray, Patrick Robertson, Hunter Bates, Becky Halkias and Raul Tapia.

For Additional Information: Kalyn Casanova 202-567-2900

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