 Lori Otto Punke |
Starbucks has hired LOP Strategies as federal lobbyist for a raft of corporate social responsibility issues.
Lori Otto Punke, who did a ten-year stint at the coffee chain before exiting as director of government affairs in 2015, heads the Mercer Island-based firm.
At Starbucks, she is remembered for helping to launch the company's high-profile College Achievement Plan to send baristas to college for free.
Earlier, Punke was Microsoft's manager of government affairs, dealing with intellectual property, antitrust, tax, trade, cybersecurity and regulatory matters. She also served on the board of the software giant's political action committee.
LOP will advise Starbucks on workforce employment, benefits, training, ethical sourcing, family leave and sustainability issues.
Starbucks spent $8.4M for DC lobbying during the first nine months of 2018 at firms including Monument Policy Group, K&L Gates and Petrizzo Group.
Anthropic, the San Francisco-based artificial intelligence start-up, has retained Republican powerhouse firm Fierce Government Relations for DC representation.
Chad Horrell, who was senior manager for government relations at DoorDash, has joined BGR Group as VP in its state and local practice.
Continental Strategy, which has close ties with the Trump administration, has registered Geneva-based Rolex as a client for services regarding the tariffs on watch imports.
Kimberly-Clark calls on Ballard Partners as it moves to acquires Kenvue, maker of Tylenol. 
Brett Horton, who was chief of staff to House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, has joined the American Hotel & Lodging Assn. as its chief advocacy officer, a new position.
