Maloney Government Relations, LLC

Obama's K Street Problem

Bob Maloney of Maloney Government Relations agreed that some lobbyists find Obama's K Street policies overly strict. But the Obama supporter said, lobbyists aren't the only talented potential administration staffers.

"If it means I couldn't work in an Obama administration, I'm sorry that particular career option wouldn't be open to me, but there are plenty of dynamic men and women who could fill those jobs," Maloney said.

Excerpt from - Roll Call: The Newspaper of Capitol Hill Since 1955
"Obama's K Street Problem"
By Kate Ackley
© January 14, 2008

Congressional Black Caucus Increase Outreach

The caucus, whose popularity has soared with the business community since the Democratic takeover put some of its members at the helm of important committees, including Rep. Charlie Rangel (D-N.Y.) at Ways and Means, is capitalizing on the opportunity for more dialogue with lobbyists.

"Our outreach effort is vast," said Rep. Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick (D-Mich.), chairwoman of the CBC.

Rep. David Scott (D-Ga.), who received his MBA at the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School, said he has long called for the CBC to reach out to business leaders and supports Kilpatrick's effort.

"This is extraordinary what the chairwoman is doing...establishing a greater presence and a greater participation with the business community and the black caucus in a way that helps us get to these jobs and get business" into CBC Congressional districts, he said.

Bob Maloney, a longtime lobbyist with Fannie Mae who recently set up his own Maloney Government Relations, said that the CBC members are "in positions of extraordinary power," which gives the outreach effort a new level of cachet in the business world.

"The CBC members are keenly aware that diversity is something which puts America in a world class position to be competitive," said Maloney, whose clients include Fannie Mae and Steptoe & Johnson (link). As for the opportunity to participate in the sessions with the CBC, he added, "I don't see how corporate leaders could let that opportunity go by, it's unprecedented."

Excerpt from - Roll Call: The Newspaper of Capitol Hill Since 1955

"CBC Ups Outreach - Caucus wants to Formalize Ties to Business Community"

By Kate Ackley
© May 9, 2007

Photo credit: Kea Marie Taylor - www.imaginephotographyonline.com

On April 17, Bob Maloney, pictured here with Rep. Elijah Cummings and Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr., was honored by the Congressional Black Caucus at a private reception at the Capitol.

Featured in Washington Life Magazine - Summer 2007

D.C. Chamber President and CEO Barbara Lang made it far enough through the throngs to speak with Bob Maloney of Maloney Government Relations, LLC, center, and Ted Trabue of the D.C. Economic Empowerment Coalition.

Source: © Washington Business Journal, January 11-17, 2008.

Corporate America Shells Out Big Bucks to Fete CBC

When the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation kicks off its annual legislative conference today in Washington, D.C., the business community will be there with an unprecedented show of force. The response, lobbyists say, is due to CBC members' unparallel power at the helm of communities and subcommittees and in the ranks of Congressional leadership.

"The black caucus now is seen as a tremendous lever to be able to bring greater participation in the African-American business community [with] the broader corporate community," said Rep. David Scott (D-Ga.), a CBC member who has an MBA from Wharton.

But it certainly isn't just black-owned businesses that are clamoring for a seat at the CBC Foundation's conference. Pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca, Dell Inc., General Motors Corp., AT&T, Coca-Cola and Hyatt Hotels and Resorts, among dozens of others, all are planning to host exhibits, participate in discussions. . .

In the past, CBC members could debate key policy issues during the foundation's legislative conference.

"The difference this year," said Bob Maloney, who has his own lobby shop, "is that they're in a position to turn policy and thought and meaningful conversation into actual legislation." As a result, he said, clients want to be there to make sure they voice their concerns and ideas at the dozens of issue forums and brain trust meetings scheduled over the next few days.

Maloney said. . . Hightowers Petroleum secured a spot in a session hosted Friday by Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-Texas). . .called "High Gasoline Prices and High Utility Costs: Building Bridges Between the African American Community and America's Energy Industry." Hightowers' CEO Stephen Hightower, will participate in the discussion. "His opportunity to express the views of the energy industry in this forum is...an example of how the African-American leaders have reached out."

Excerpt from - Roll Call: The Newspaper of Capitol Hill Since 1955
"Corporate America Shells Out Big Bucks to Fete CBC"

By Kate Ackley
© September 26, 2007

Courting the Caucus

"I think that the election has made a number of folks reassess their careers, not just African-Americans," Maloney says. "I know numerous of my majority colleagues who worked for CBC who have been promoted in their job because of their association with the CBC members."

Maloney says it's a good thing that the CBC now regularly meets with business groups. "It's an opportunity for corporate America to get their point of view," he says. "These caucus members are concerned like everybody. . . Business is what fuels jobs in their communities."

Alumni Note

"Hard work, courage and determination . . . are qualities personified by . . . Maloney . . . both personally and professionally. Maloney is . . . considered among the top government affairs specialists in the nation's capital."

A history major and member of the honors program at Canisius, Maloney was vice president of student government and co-founded the college’s Afro-American Society. The society’s mission is the same today as it was when it began: to help integrate African-American, Hispanic, and Native American students into the college’s general population. Maloney believes that “diversity is important for Canisius to be a world class institution.” He adds, “When you diversify, you open up the door for the best candidates regardless of race, color or gender.”

“My leadership roles at Canisius, combined with the rigorous course work required in the Honors Program, were instrumental in laying the foundation for my future,” says Maloney.