Ball Janik Hires Transportation and Infrastructure Expert: James P. Kolb Joins Government Affairs Group as Senior Policy Advisor
Washington, D.C. (PRWEB) October 27, 2014 -- Ball Janik LLP is pleased to announce James P. Kolb is joining our Government Affairs practice based in Washington, D.C. effective November 10, 2014. Kolb will be leaving the U.S. House of Representatives as Democratic Staff Director for the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit to join Ball Janik LLP, a top-ranked firm that has been recognized by the Center for Public Integrity, Chambers USA, and The Best Lawyers in America. Kolb’s significant experience in developing national surface transportation policy adds depth to Ball Janik’s Government Affairs practice, which has a strong reputation in transportation and infrastructure lobbying and policy initiatives. Ball Janik represents leading transportation-related trade associations, companies, state and local governments, and coalitions.
“Jim Kolb’s experience serving in both the majority and minority as staff director on the Highways and Transit Committee of the U.S. House of Representatives adds tremendous new capacity to our firm and underscores Ball Janik’s commitment to providing excellent representation of clients in the transportation industry. Our nation is at a critical juncture with shrinking funding for highways, increasing demand for transit and active transportation choices, expanding demand for freight rail, and the evolution of electric cars and connected vehicles. Kolb enhances Ball Janik’s reputation as a highly respected firm for transportation policy and advocacy,” stated James A. Beall, Chair and Managing Partner of the Government Affairs Practice Group.
“We are excited to add Kolb to our roster of government affairs professionals. We offer an outstanding, nimble team of professionals who are directly affecting the landscape of transportation and infrastructure policy in the U.S.,” stated Hal Hiemstra, Director of Government Affairs and the Washington, D.C. office. “As a Senior Policy Advisor, Kolb will offer government relations, strategic planning, policy development and analysis, and public relations services to clients in the transportation and related industries. He brings extraordinary legislative and political expertise to the Ball Janik team.”
James P. Kolb, Jr. brings nearly 25 years of advocacy, policy development and implementation experience to Ball Janik, having served in senior positions in both the public and private sectors. He is expert at working with House leadership, members of Congress, congressional staff and transportation organizations and associations; and he has developed a deep understanding of issues and processes surrounding the Federal budget, budget scoring, appropriations, finance, and tax policy.
Since 2007, Kolb has served on the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit in the U.S. House of Representatives. He began his service with the subcommittee as Staff Director from 2007-2011, and currently serves as Democratic Staff Director. During his tenure in the House, Kolb has played a key role in developing and negotiating our nation’s current federal surface transportation authorization law called “Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act” (MAP21), as well as the surface transportation components of the “American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009,” the “Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007,” and the “Implementing the 9/11 Commission Recommendations Act of 2007.” He also played a key role with the Committee’s special panels on Freight and Public-Private Partnerships.
In addition to his experience in the House of Representatives, Kolb has held several high-level positions, including: Senior Vice President for Xenophon Strategies; Vice President of Congressional Relations for the American Road and Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA); and Director of the United States Department of Transportation, Office of the Secretary, Office of Congressional Affairs. He is a popular speaker on transportation issues, backed by his over two decades of experience spearheading policy initiatives, his strategic involvement in the passing of major national transportation legislation, and his direct influence leading political strategies and programs to effect change.
Michaella Johnson, Ball Janik LLP, http://www.balljanik.com, +1 503.944.6065, [email protected]
Share this article