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| Michael Esposito |
Huawei, the world’s largest telecommunications gear maker and suspected spying tool of the Chinese government, has hired Federal Advocates Inc., a top Republican firm, for DC representation.
The Commerce Dept. in May slapped sanctions on Huawei that bar it from purchasing American telecom components.
The Wall Street Journal published a blockbuster on Aug. 14, reporting that Huawei equipment, which is dominant in Africa, is used by African leaders to spy on political opponents.
FAI founder/CEO Michael Esposito leads the push for Huawei. His mission is to handle telecommunications issues before the Trump administration.
He’s a member of the Republican National Committee chairman’s advisory board, where he advises chairwoman Ronna McDaniel, and serves on the Trump Victory Finance Committee.
FAI made a splash in February in hiring Jennifer Arangio, who was senior director of the National Security Council, as VP.
At that time, she was the highest-ranking female former Trump official to join a K Street firm.
Politico reported that Arangio was ousted from the NSC in July 2018 for skirmishing with top White House aide Stephen Miller.
Ballard Partners has added defense technology company Sempre to help it land federal contracts for digital infrastructure projects.
Flock Safety has hired Off Hill Strategies, a boutique lobby firm that boasts of its commitment to conservative principles.
Ballard Partners has signed South Korea’s SK Americas unit for representation on US semiconductor policies and developments.
Ballard Partners has signed to a represent the US unit of Rheinmetall, Germany’s biggest defense contractor, on Army procurement issues.
BGR Group signs on to provide lobbying and PR services for Terzo, an AI financial intelligence platform. Douglas Lute, chair of BGR’s international and defense practices, will join Terzo’s board of directors.
