GRAU & ASSOCIATES - Key Persons
Before G&A's Virginia start, Mr. Grau was General Counsel for an Alexandria, Virginia based boutique-lobbying firm. While there Mr. Grau developed extensive experience establishing, managing, and growing trade associations including the National Job Corps Association and the National Organization of Rehabilitation Partners. Given associations' ability to leverage broad based platforms to impact policy, economics, and business, he maintained his interest and abilities in trade association management through his career in Pittsburgh and today.
Earlier, Mr. Grau was Majority Counsel on the US Senate Health Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee where he developed Senate hearings and negotiated and drafted several pieces of federal legislation. He was part of the Senate team that created the Workforce Investment Act, a bipartisan bill signed into law during a Rose Garden ceremony in August 1998.
Mr. Grau has a BA from Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia and a Juris Doctorate from Mercer University in Macon, Georgia. He is licensed to practice law in Florida, Georgia, the District of Columbia, and the Federal Courts and has been honored by the State of Ohio for his legislative work on behalf of people with disabilities.
"Grau & Associates not only helpedestablish APPS, it has also been instrumental in growing the association."
Aaron reestablished Grau & Associates, LLC in Pittsburgh after first starting the firm in Alexandria, Virginia. Before creating his own Pittsburgh based company, Mr. Grau directed Pittsburgh's Duane Morris Government Strategies' federal government affairs… Read bio
George brings 20 years of experience to our clients having worked on Capitol Hill and the public and private sector.
George provides clients with government relations support and guidance on a wide range of legislative and regulatory issues including providing direct "boots on the ground" in Washington, DC for all G&A lobbying clients.
His milestones include developing and executing a federal cyber policy strategy; executing a successful cybersecurity briefing for the Congressional Smart Contracting Caucus and working with congressional leaders to introduce legislation to establish the Cybersecurity Advisory Committee.
Previously, George served as the chief lobbyist to the Organization for International Investment (OFII) representing more than 160 U.S. subsidiaries of leading global companies. As Vice President, Public Policy & Government Affairs, George was responsible for advising association members and policy makers on Buy America, corporate inversions, corporate tax, international trade agreements, and tax treaties. George strategically expanded OFII's advocacy presence with Congress, the Administration, and state and local governments.
From 2005-2013, George served as Chief of Staff to U.S. Representative Charles W. Dent (R-PA), implementing Mr. Dent's overall legislative, communication, and political vision and winning five consecutive Congressional elections. While working for Mr. Dent, George developed and executed a long-term strategy to secure a seat on the coveted House Committee on Appropriations.
With a reputation of bipartisanship, George was elected in 2009 by his peers to serve as President of the House Chiefs of Staff Association - a bipartisan association of almost 500 current chiefs of staff and committee staff directors. George held the position for three years, becoming the longest serving president in the association's 36-year history.
Prior to working for Mr. Dent, George spent five years as Director, Federal Government Affairs for the American Financial Services Association (AFSA), a national trade association representing the consumer credit and finance industry, and on the staff of former U.S. Senator Rick Santorum (R-PA).
A commissioned officer in the U.S. Navy Reserve, Lieutenant Commander McElwee is a public affairs officer assigned to the Navy Office of Community Outreach (NAVCO). His previous assignments include, Flag Assistant to the U.S. Navy Vice Chief of Information (one-star admiral); U.S. Navy Office of Information; U.S. Fleet Forces Command; and Navy Public Affairs Support Element (NPASE) - East.
George holds a Master of Arts in Strategic Security Studies from the College of International Security Affairs, National Defense University; a Graduate Certificate in PACs and Political Management from the Graduate School of Political Management, George Washington University; Joint Professional Military Education, Phase I from Air Command and Staff College, Air University; a graduate of Public Affairs Qualification Course from Defense Information School, Fort George G. Meade; a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania; and studied at Northampton Community College, Bethlehem, PA.
George brings 20 years of experience to our clients having worked on Capitol Hill and the public and private sector.… Read bio
Job Titles:
- Certified Public Accountant
Thomas ‘T.J.' Kennedy is a licensed CPA in the state of Virginia, specializing in taxation, accounting, financial reporting, and management advisory services. … Read bio
Job Titles:
- Marketing, Communications, & Social Media
With a career spanning sales, marketing, strategy, nonprofit administration, communications, and entrepreneurship, Tim has a complete perspective on economic development through a marketing and communications lens. Tim has presented regionally and nationally on topics surrounding social media, marketing, and branding, and has worked with some of the country's top brands throughout his career. As a strategist, he applies qualitative and quantitative data to develop recommendations, action plans, and comprehensive blueprints, focusing on impact and investment. As a creative, Tim builds the tools for implementation, incorporating methodic principles of design and psychology.
As the former Director of Marketing for the Pittsburgh Technology Council, Tim provided the foresight and direction to enhance the electronic marketing efforts of the PTC, while creating the organization's social media campaigns and strategy from scratch. His proven leadership practices and campaigns are still the skeleton of current efforts of the organization, which were recognized by ASAE, receiving the Gold Circle Award for electronic communications. He also received the BSA President's Award for Marketing for a strategic regional marketing campaign targeted at youth programs.
In addition to Tim's marketing and communications experience, he also has extensive experience in grant writing, aligning funding opportunities with client needs and orchestrating millions of dollars in successful grant proposals for organizations.
Tim serves on the local CANstruction organizing committee, an event where teams build sculptures out of canned goods, which are then donated to local food banks. As an Eagle Scout, Tim remains active with the scouting program in an advisory role for the camping and marketing departments. Graduating with high honors from Allegheny College, Tim was active in numerous organizations, including the college radio station and television station - the foundation for his love of communications.
As an avid outdoorsman, Tim can usually be found hiking a mountain, floating down a river, or relaxing around a campfire, when he's not at his home in South Park, PA.
With a career spanning sales, marketing, strategy, nonprofit administration, communications, and entrepreneurship, Tim has a complete perspective on economic development through a marketing and communications lens. Tim has presented… Read bio