Lobbying World: S-3 Group and West Front Strategies merge

S-3 Group and West Front Strategies on Wednesday announced their merger. The firms, which brought in a combined $15 million in federal lobbying revenue in the first nine months of 2024, will combine under the brand S-3. S-3 Group founder John Scofield will serve as managing partner.

Former Rep. Will Hurd (R-Texas) is now chief strategy officer at CHAOS Industries, a defense and national security technology company. Hurd, who served in Congress from 2015 to 2021, served on several influential House committees: Homeland Security, Intelligence and Appropriations.

Sally Laing has rejoined Akin as an international trade partner. She was most recently chief international trade counsel for Senate Finance Chair Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and the Senate Finance Committee. Before that, she was assistant general counsel in the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative.

Akin has also added Jocelyn Wiles as a senior policy adviser in the firm’s lobbying and public policy practice. Wiles was most recently assistant vice president of federal affairs at the Pharmaceutical Care Management Association and previously led Democratic advocacy at America’s Essential Hospitals. She’s also a House Energy and Commerce Committee and Department of Health and Human Services alum.

David Dorsey is joining Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck as a strategic adviser in the government relations department. Dorsey previously worked at the Food and Drug Administration in the office of the chief counsel and commissioner and is a Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee alum.

The Fort Lauderdale-based firm Becker has appointed Omar Franco as vice chair of the firm’s government and lobbying practice. Franco, who has been with the firm since 2011, was previously chief of staff for Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart (R-Fla.).

The Aerospace Industries Association has promoted Alison Lynn from vice president of communications to senior vice president of external affairs.