Pardon Our Dust
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WASHINGTON ― Paul J. Reagan, a longtime Capitol Hill veteran who served as chief of staff to a U.S. senator and a Virginia governor, will lead McGuireWoods Consulting’s highly regarded Federal Government Relations Practice in the firm’s Washington, D.C., office.
Reagan becomes senior vice president and director of federal government affairs effective Dec. 1, succeeding former Reagan White House senior aide and respected Republican strategist Frank J. Donatelli, who remains in the role of McGuireWoods Consulting senior advisor.
“It’s rare to find a person of Paul’s pedigree who is known in the corridors of power in Washington, and also has top-level state government experience,” said Jim Hodges, president of McGuireWoods Consulting and a former South Carolina governor. “It’s a combination that enables us help clients achieve business solutions from the White House to the statehouse.”
The anticipated leadership transition embodies the firm’s differentiating factor, said McGuireWoods Chairman Jon Harmon. “We offer clients a depth of experience not only on Capitol Hill, but across the country in state gubernatorial, attorneys general and legislative offices,” he said. “Our ability to marry top-notch legal services with accomplished government affairs teams across industries is our unique approach to client service.”
Reagan returned in April 2018 to McGuireWoods Consulting where he had served two distinguished previous tenures. He joined MWC in 2005 after serving as director of communications in the administration of then-Gov. Mark R. Warner of Virginia. He became chief of staff to U.S. Sen. Jim Webb of Virginia in late 2006 and returned to MWC in 2013 after Webb chose not to seek re-election. Later that year, Gov.-elect Terry McAuliffe appointed him to help lead his administration.
Reagan began his career working for nearly two decades on the staffs of four U.S. House members from Virginia, including McGuireWoods Consulting Senior Advisor L.F. Payne. Reagan also briefly served as counsel to the House Science Subcommittee.
Reagan takes the reins of the federal practice from Donatelli, an esteemed figure on Capitol Hill and within Republican politics for decades dating to his service as a senior aide in President Ronald Reagan’s White House.
“Filling Frank Donatelli’s shoes is the tallest of orders. He’s admired on both sides of the aisle for his long record of accomplishment and personal integrity. We’re fortunate to not only have Paul as his worthy successor, but to keep Frank on board as a senior advisor,” said MWC Chairman Mark Bowles.
Donatelli will continue to advise clients on federal issues in our Washington, D.C., office and assist in client development matters for MWC. “We are pleased that Frank will continue to play an active role in advising our clients on federal policy issues,” Bowles added. “His experience and stature in Washington are invaluable.”
Donatelli noted that Reagan, with his dual background in state and federal government, brings rare complementary skills to clients of the McGuireWoods Consulting’s federal practice, particularly as states take on greater roles in setting policy.
“When a client asks us to address a need at the federal level but also learns that there is a powerful companion practice that helps them find solutions to the same problem with governors, legislatures and attorneys general nationwide, then you have a true win-win for our clients,” said Donatelli.
“This is a very exciting time ahead for McGuireWoods Consulting, particularly here in Washington, and I am very thankful for the opportunity to help lead it.” Reagan said.