OUR SERVICES / PUBLIC AFFAIRS / PRACTICE LEADERS

William D. Harris
Chairman

William D. Harris is one of the most accomplished political strategists and operatives in the country. Mr. Harris was instrumental in making the Southeastern United States a growth area for the Republican Party in the 1970’s and 1980’s, went on to orchestrate the winning Senatorial strategy in 1993-1994, where he served as the Executive Director of the NRSC. He has also served as the international advisor to the Republican Party and has been involved in every Republican presidential campaign since 1972. He recently served as the Chief Executive Officer of the 2004 Republican National Convention in New York City. In 2008 he served as Senator McCain’s National Convention Director and as a senior advisor to the campaign. Mr. Harris received his Bachelor of Arts from the University of Alabama.

Edward B. Stewart
Partner

A veteran of both the Washington and global arenas, Mr. Stewart provides policy advice and representation to major corporations, international businesses, trade associations and foreign governments. Prior to entering the lobbying field, Mr. Stewart spent ten years as a senior official at the International Republican Institute (IRI). During his tenure at IRI, he served as the Director for Asian/Middle Eastern Affairs and later, Director of African Affairs. He has collaborated with Congress, the Executive Branch and foreign leaders on international policy issues and has spent considerable time in some of the most challenging political environments in the world. Mr. Stewart received his Bachelor of Arts from Wofford College and his Master of Arts in Diplomacy from the University of Kentucky.

Armand DeKeyser
Partner

Armand DeKeyser has over 30 years of leadership experience in federal, state and local government positions. In that time, he has developed wide-ranging knowledge of Capitol Hill and the workings of the government, as well as an understanding of how to manage critical policy issues. Mr. DeKeyser served as Chief of Staff to U.S. Senator Jeff Sessions, building and overseeing his Congressional office and committee work from his election in 1996 until 2005. He returned to Capitol Hill in 2007 as Chief of Staff to U.S. Senator Bob Corker, helping him through his transition and first months in office. During his tenure in the Senate, he developed broad expertise and contacts as he oversaw the policy components of several important Committees including: Armed Services; Judiciary; Energy and Natural Resources; Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions; Foreign Relations; and Environment and Public Works Committees. In addition to his public policy expertise, Mr. DeKeyser’s private business background allows him to serve organizations when confronting the often confusing array of government programs. Mr. DeKeyser is a graduate of Auburn University and a 28 year veteran of Army active and reserve military duty.

Frank R. Anderson
Partner

Mr. Anderson, a Partner at the MITA Group, has provided information and assistance on global political affairs and global business trends to international corporations and foreign governments for over a decade. This follows a 27 year career in the Central Intelligence Agency where he served as Chief of the Near East and South Asia Division, Director of Technical Services and Chief of the Afghan Task Force. Mr. Anderson is proficient in Arabic and French. He has a current TOP SECRET/SCI security clearance. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Illinois in Chicago, a Diploma from the U.S. Foreign Service Institute’s Arab Language and Middle East Area Studies School in Beirut, Lebanon, and a Certificate from Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government Program for Senior Executives in National and International Security.

James R. Edwards, Jr.
Principal

James R. Edwards, Jr., a Principal at the MITA Group, consults to corporate, association, and nonprofit clients on such matters as health care, homeland security, immigration, and Judiciary Committee issues. Dr. Edwards spent five years at the respected Healthcare Leadership Council, including lobbying on those health issues under the Judiciary Committee such as antitrust and biomedical liability protection. On Capitol Hill, Dr. Edwards served as U.S. Rep. Ed Bryant’s Legislative Director, handling the Congressman’s Judiciary Committee assignment. He also was Senior Speechwriter at the Republican National Committee, Press Secretary and Legislative Assistant for U.S. Rep. John Duncan, Jr., and began his congressional career on the staff of U.S. Sen. Strom Thurmond, later becoming Sen. Thurmond’s Special Assistant on the Senate Judiciary Committee. Co-author of The Congressional Politics of Immigration Reform (Allyn & Bacon, 1999), he has written and spoken extensively on policy issues and process. Dr. Edwards has advised political campaigns, including as a Co-Chairman of the 2008 Mitt Romney for President Faith and Values Advisory Committee, Ed Bryant’s U.S. Senate campaign, and several U.S. House campaigns. He earned his doctorate at the University of Tennessee, and his bachelor’s and master’s degrees at the University of Georgia.

Jason Osborne
Principal

Prior to joining the firm, Jason was a senior lobbyist for the National Rifle Association (NRA), where he spent seven years promoting legislative and political objectives on Capitol Hill. He was one of the major architects of the NRA’s successful efforts to protect the Firearms industry from bankruptcy through the passage of the Lawful Commerce in Arms Acts. In addition, Mr. Osborne handled all appropriations matters for the NRA. Mr. Osborne’s 15 years of experience on Capitol Hill, including working for Senator Ted Stevens, has allowed him to develop an extensive bipartisan network of contacts within all areas of the Federal Government including members of Congress, Congressional staff, the Administration and various governmental agencies. Mr. Osborne graduated from the University of Alabama with a B.A. and an M.A. from Catholic University.

Ryan O'Dwyer
Senior Associate

Since he joined the MITA Group in 2007, Ryan has provided client support on various legislative issues relevant in the Unites States Congress and provides research for all of MITA’s clients. Ryan was a member of the floor operations team at the 2008 Republican National Convention in Minneapolis, MN and later volunteered for Sen. John McCain’s 72-Hour “Get Out the Vote” effort in the battleground state of Florida. Ryan was born and raised in New Orleans and received a Bachelor of Arts degree in both American History and Art History from the College of Charleston in South Carolina. Upon completing his undergraduate requirements, he interned in the Office of Congressman Charles Boustany of Louisiana.

 

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