Defense Technologies/Homeland Security

The primary obligation of the federal government is to protect US borders and to shield US citizens from harm. The events of September 11th and the War on Terrorism have produced a dramatic shift in the US political equation and federal budget priorities. Companies and other institutions that can contribute to national defense or homeland security have tremendous market opportunities. The Livingston Group has policy expertise in all security issue areas - ranging from missile defense to weapons systems and infrastructure protection. TLG's access to defense policy makers and budgeteers in Congress and the Administration is one of our strongest attributes. We have a range of current clients, both major corporations and small businesses, who are actively working with our friends in the Administration and on Capitol Hill. In addition to Congressman Livingston's unmatched networks in the area of defense-related appropriations, TLG has a number of professionals with substantive knowledge and invaluable political expertise in the defense/homeland security arena.

Director: Richard L. Rodgers -- A former naval officer and Deputy Executive Secretary to the Secretary of Defense, Rodgers coordinated the US Navy's liaison effort with the House and Senate Appropriations Committees.
drodgers@livingstongroupdc.com

TLG Team //

Honorable Dennis M. Hertel -- Mr. Hertel is a former Democrat Member of Congress from Michigan. During his tenure, he served on the House Armed Services Committee, chairing its Subcommittee on Investigations and Oversight. Later, he served as Ranking Member on the Subcommittee on Research and Development. Since retiring from Congress in 1993, he has been engaged in government relations and private law practice representing clients on issues involving defense technology and homeland security.

Honorable Tim Hugo -- Served as Special Assistant to the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Legislative Affairs during the Administration of President George H.W. Bush. A veteran of Capitol Hill, Tim was Chief of Staff to the Chairman of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. He currently holds the position of president of CapNet (a trade association representing high tech companies) and is a member of the Virginia House of Delegates.

Honorable William H. Zeliff, Jr. -- Former House Deputy Whip. Subcommittee Chairman on National Security, International Affairs and Judiciary Committees. Member of the Transportation, Government Reform and Small Business Committees.

Jason Chung -- Joins The Livingston Group, LLC from U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), an agency within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). As a congressional liaison at CBP, his portfolio included the following responsibilities: border security initiatives, immigration reform policy, and cargo security programs. Jason served in the administration of Governor Robert L. Ehrlich of Maryland, Congressman Thomas M. Davis, III (R-VA), and erved on the subcommittee staff of Congressman Christopher Shays (R-CT), working on issues regarding combating terrorism and homeland defense.

Carl D. Commenator -- Former Deputy Staff Director for the House Committee on Armed Services, as well as former Chief Counsel and Staff Director of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs. Total of twenty-three years of experience on Capitol Hill. Served four years on active duty with the U.S. Air Force, one tour in the Republic of South Vietnam. Graduated from the University of Arizona (BA) and the University of San Diego (JD) and was admitted to the California Bar in 1981.

Terence Costello -- Former Republican professional staffer with the House Armed Services Committee and principal defense aide to the late Congressman Floyd D. Spence (R-SC). Major focus: naval ships and weapons procurement, research and development, special warfare, naval petroleum reserves, national defense stockpile, and defense-wide environmental cleanup funding and policy issues. Served as an Infantry non commissioned officer with the US Army, and later with the Army Reserves.

William D. Crosby, Jr. -- Former Chief Counsel and Republican Counsel on House Rules Committee, with a total of twenty-seven years of experience. Served as a Navy officer during Vietnam War and received degrees from Yale (BA) and Columbia (JD).

John Duncan -- Served as President Bush’s Assistant Secretary of the Treasury for Legislative Affairs. Duncan worked closely with the House and Senate leaders to pass the 2001, 2002, and 2003 tax cuts. He contributed in particular on the following key issues: terrorism risk insurance, pension overhaul reform, renewal of the Fair Credit Reporting Act, the creation of the Department of Homeland Security.

Harvey F. Ernest, Jr. -- President of RIVERGROUP, recently completed a 27-year career with 3M, a $16 billion global company. He was head of 3M Federal Systems, the central strategy and business development organization for national government markets. The Defense Department is the primary user of the GSA Federal Supply Schedules purchases and 3M held more GSA FSS Schedule Contracts than any manufacturing company.

M. L. "Tripp" Funderburk -- Served as a senior aide to former Congressman Livingston on both personal and committee staff. As Senior Vice President for The Washington Group, Mr. Funderburk represented clients before Congress and the Administration on various defense and homeland security issues.

Mel Goodweather -- Former Chief of US Air Force Legislative Liaison Directorate; former Chief of Congressional Affairs for Airbus Industrie of North America.

James D. Hensler -- Former Staff Director and Chief Counsel of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence as well as former Military Legislative Assistant to Alabama Senator Richard Shelby. He has significant experience with the authorization of sensitive intelligence programs and with defense appropriations issues. A former naval officer, Jim is a licensed attorney with current and active security clearances.

Peter Iovino -- Served as an official of at the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), an agency within Department of Homeland Security. Iovino serve led the efforts for Legislative Affairs at TSA. Mr. Iovino also lobbied defense issues as Vice President of Washington Affairs for the Fairchild Republic Company, makers of the A-10 jet fighter.

John J. Jaskot -- Graduated with honors from both the Coast Guard Academy and George Washington University School of Law; served as a Fellow on the US Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation and later as Coast Guard liaison with the US Senate.

R. Christian Johnsen -- Managing Partner for the Washington office of Jones, Walkere. A cum laude graduate of Tulane University School of Law, Johnson has wide-ranging experience in defense, international trade and transportation policy issues.

Ronald L. Kelley -- B.S. in Chemistry. 17 years in technology industry (Dow Corning Corporation). Since 1985, President of Strategic Partners, Inc. - a consulting and lobbying practice specializing in R&D alliances and funding for the high technology industries.

General James E. Livingston -- Medal of Honor recipient, US Marine Corps major general and former real estate finance executive in New Orleans. General Livingston has served on numerous business and non-profit boards, including First Bank & Trust and the Red Cross. During his 34 year career in the military, General Livingston commanded the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, the First Marine Expeditionary Brigade, the Fourth Marine Division and - in 1992 - the newly created Marine Reserve Force. His additional decorations include the Distinguished Service Medal, Silver Star Medal, Bronze Star Medal with and the Purple Heart Combat V Third award.

Juliet Pacquing -- Over a decade as professional staff for the Defense Subcommittee, House Committee on Appropriations; also program analyst in the Office of the Chief of Staff, Department of the Army.

Bernie Robinson -- Robinson served as a member of Illinois Governor Ryan's cabinet with responsibility for Washington operations. A graduate of the Chase School of Law and a former Congressional staffer, Robinson also worked as a corporate affairs executive for Phillip Morris.

Michael D. Ryan -- Prior to TLG, Major General Ryan held the position of Executive Vice President Government Business for Rolls-Royce in North America. Before Rolls-Royce, Ryan enjoyed a long and distinguished career as a United States Marine. He helped found the USMC’s “Top Gun” school; named Marine Corps Aviator of The Year in 1979; chosen to command the first squadron to fly the next generation Harrier, the AV-8B. As a General Officer, Ryan served as the Legislative Assistant to the Commandant, Deputy Chief of Legislative Affairs to the Secretary of the Navy, Deputy Commander of the Second Marine Expeditionary Force, and, Commanding General of the Second Marine Aircraft Wing (from 1996-1998) of a force of some 450 combat aircraft and 15,000 Marines and Sailors.

Marjorie Strayer -- Former Chief of Staff to New Mexico Congresswoman Heather Wilson who serves on the Armed Services and Energy and Commerce Committee. Also worked in the Washington State House of Representatives and was chief of staff to a former Washington state Congressman.

William R. Teator -- A policy adviser and spokesman to late House Rules Committee Chairman Jerry Solomon, Teator's work on military healthcare reforms earned praise from the Non-Commissioned Officers Association. He worked closely with the Navy's Nuclear Propulsion Program to help secure the organizational structure and resources to keep the nuclear fleet safely managed.

Mike Waite -- Retired as colonel in the Army National Guard after 27-year career; 8 years at the Pentagon involved in legislative issues and the congressional process.

Representative Clients:

  • 3001, Inc.
  • Energy Conversion Devices, Inc.
  • Goodyear
  • Innovative Emergency Management
  • Oracle
  • Plaquemines Parish
  • Raytheon
  • Rolls Royce
  • Warren L. Green & Associates, LLC