Gallagher Group has a $25K per month deal to represent Qatar under a subcontract arrangement with Portland PR.

James Gallagher's firm is to represent the DC embassy on government relations matters and organize meetings with US officials on an as-needed basis.

He's a former government relations officer at BAE Systems, defense contractor with 45K employees in the US.

Gallagher also was VP at Cassidy Co.'s Boland & Madigan unit, where he served clients such as Saudi Arabia, General Dynamics, Israel Aircraft Industries, Boeing, Chevron and Monsanto.

His federal service includes stints as legislative director for former Republican Senator Judd Gregg of New Hampshire and Congressional Affairs director on the Defense Base Closure & Realignment Commission.

Portland picked up a $150K contract from Qatar on Sept. 15.

The Persian Gulf state is home of Al-Jazeera and at odds with Egypt and Saudi Arabia over its support for the Muslim Brotherhood.