A government relations manager is no longer working for Peanuts as she moves to the office of Rep. Scott Tipton (R-Colo.) from insurance giant MetLife.
Melissa Graeff joined Tipton's office this month as a legislative assistant covering energy, environment, judicial, Native American and tax issues for the congressman. Joining Tipton marks a return to the House for Graeff, who was an intern for former Rep. Marilyn Musgrave (R-Colo.) in 2007.
After leaving Musgrave, Graeff became involved in PAC fundraising and eventually took a job with the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association as their PAC education and outreach adviser. She held the position for four years until she became manager of government relations for MetLife in 2013. At MetLife, Graeff did not file as a lobbyist but instead managed the firm's PAC for the 2014 campaign cycle. According to OpenSecrets.org, Tipton did not receive any funding from MetLife's PAC for the 2014 election but has received $1,000 for the 2016 election.
Between her internship with Musgrave and joining MetLife, Graeff volunteered as a tour guide at the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History, where she gave tarantula presentations at their Insect Zoo. Colleagues would do well to watch what she has up her sleeve.
