EEI President Tom Kuhn announced today that Brian L. Wolff, a seasoned Capitol Hill strategist and communicator, will be joining the Edison Electric Institute on April 15th in the newly created position of Senior Vice President, External Affairs.
“Brian brings to EEI a wealth of experience in public policy, campaign management and strategic communications,” Kuhn said. “We are delighted to have someone of his caliber join EEI and lead our government affairs and communications efforts at a time of virtually unprecedented challenge and opportunity for our industry. Brian’s background makes him uniquely qualified to lead EEI’s external affairs activities.”
Wolff, who now serves as executive director of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, began his career in Washington as a producer and copy editor in the CNN bureau here. He also served as a finance and tax aide to former Sen. David Pryor of Arkansas, worked in business development for Cassidy & Associates, and also worked as an advisor to many state and federal political campaigns. Wolff also has served as political director for House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.).
An Arkansas native, Wolff holds a degree in economics from the University of Arkansas and an Executive MBA from the University of California, Berkeley.
“To further integrate our direct lobbying, grassroots, coalition building and communications functions, both our communications group and the government affairs group, led by Kathy Steckelberg, will report to Brian,” Kuhn said. “This is an exciting time in the electric utility industry as our public policy agenda is at the forefront of some of the biggest debates facing our nation and the economy.”
“We believe this realignment will help strengthen our issue management process and our advocacy efforts to meet our growing opportunities and challenges,” Kuhn continued. “Further, Brian will join me, Executive Vice President David Owens and Senior Vice President Lynn LeMaster as part of the Office of the President—the center for all EEI operations, internal and external.”
In addition to her role as Senior Vice President, Policy, Kuhn noted that LeMaster also will assume the responsibilities of Chief of Staff. “In this role, Lynn will continue her leadership in the development and implementation of EEI’s public policy objectives, as well as EEI’s internal operations,” Kuhn said.
Commenting on his new post at EEI, Wolff said, “I am very excited about this tremendous opportunity. The utility industry faces many challenges in the midst of a very tough economic environment when so many jobs are at stake in the nation. I look forward to joining the search for solutions.”