LegiStorm

The former senior policy adviser for Rep. Chris Stewart (R-Utah) has registered as a federal lobbyist to handle energy clients, primarily out West.

Timothy Robison, who became vice president of Morgan Meguire in October, is now lobbying for such entities as the Southern California Public Power Authority and the Sacramento (Calif.) Municipal Utility District. It's the first time Robison has ever registered as a federal lobbyist, although he has worked for government affairs firms before. 

Robison started his political career on Capitol Hill as a legislative aide to the late Rep. Phil Crane (R-Ill.) from 2001-04. He was the senior legislative assistant for Rep. Tom Price (R-Ga.) until becoming a partner at A.C. Robison and Associates in March 2006 and then joining Booz Allen Hamilton as an associate in July 2009.

In January 2013, Robison left Booz Allen and joined Stewart's staff.

Morgan Meguire is a government relations, public affairs and strategic communications firm that works for private and public-sector clients that do business with the federal government.

The deputy director of member services for the House Democratic Whip has returned to lobbying, joining a large health-care concern.

Javier Martínez's career already has included years on both sides of the revolving door. This month he has returned to the lobbying side as the director of government affairs at DaVita Healthcare Partners.

After nearly a decade as a Capitol Hill staffer, first for former Rep. Silvestre Reyes (D-Texas) and then for the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs, Martínez joined the lobbying organization National Council of La Raza, the largest U.S. Hispanic advocacy organization. As deputy director of legislative affairs at La Raza, Martínez lobbied Congress for economic, tax and immigration reforms for the Latino community.

In June 2012, Martínez left the organization to become deputy director of member services for House Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) until December 2015.

A large lobbying firm's office manager is the new scheduler for Rep. Ed Whitfield (R-Ky.).

Rachael Smyth had been the office manager of the Normandy Group since June 2013, performing administrative and logistical tasks for the firm and its portfolio of major clients. In July 2015, she also took on the role of federal affairs assistant, allowing her to get closer to the lobbying action.

Smyth joins Whitfield's staff as scheduler and will put her degrees in business management and political science to use. Smyth and Whitfield have in common a commitment to their faiths: She traveled to the Dominican Republic as a Bible school volunteer in December 2012, and Whitfield has donated nearly $15,000 to the Wesley Theological Seminary during his 21 years in office.

A staff member for Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) has flown to NASA as a legislative affairs specialist.

Tom Rivera joined Boxer's staff in August 2013, soon after graduating from San Diego State University. He was promoted from staff assistant to legislative research assistant in less than a year, but now joins NASA as a congressional liaison.

While Rivera does not have a scientific background, his magna cum laude political science degree, together with his Capitol Hill experience, should help in NASA's uphill struggle to secure science funding for future missions.

An animal welfare lobbyist from the American Veterinary Medical Association has joined the staff of Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.).

Elise Ackley will take on the role of legislative assistant in DeLauro's office, where she will focus on issues in agriculture, the environment and consumer safety.

A graduate of veterinary school at Louisiana State University, Ackley interned with the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Agriculture during her studies, giving her valuable experience on the executive branch. After receiving her degree, Ackley joined the office of Sen. Richard Durbin (D-Ill.) with a year-long congressional fellowship from the American Association for the Advancement of Science.

Following her fellowship, Ackley joined the AVMA. In her short lobbying career, which lasted only four months, Ackley petitioned members of Congress for support in animal welfare policy, including the Animal Welfare in Agriculture Research Endeavors Act and the Horse Transportation Safety Act.