David Merritt, managing director for Luntz Global Partners, is moving to America's Health Insurance Plans in Washington to lead communications and advocacy planning.
Merritt led political, policy, healthcare and energy assignments at Luntz, advising executives, candidates and campaigns.
Earlier, he was an advisor to Newt Gingrich's 2012 presidential bid and served as CEO of Gingrich's healthcare policy and lobbying shop. He later was partner and managing director at Leavitt Partners, the firm of former Health and Human Services Secretary and Utah Gov. Mike Leavitt.
Merritt, who returns to AHIP after serving as a director in the early 2000s, is slated to take the executive VP for public affairs and strategic initiatives title at the trade association.
Cornerstone Government Affairs has inked a $25K monthly pact with Qatar to advance the relationship of the Arab state and the US.
Former House speaker Kevin McCarthy has teamed up with a crew of Republican heavy hitters to launch Watchtower Strategy, a public affairs firm that will focus on advocacy, strategy and strategic communications.
The National Association of Manufacturers has named Alexa Lopez VP of communications & public affairs, a newly created position. She was at the Transportation Security Administration.
