Washington D.C. — Avoq today announced that partners Whit Askew and Cedric Grant will manage the firm’s government relations (GR) operations. Askew and Grant will serve as co-heads of the GR team, overseeing day-to-day functions and business operations.
“Cedric and Whit are the ideal team to oversee our government relations operations. Their bipartisan work across a multitude of sectors and industries exemplifies the strategic value we provide clients. They understand the issues and complexities of the Washington market and they know how to provide results,” said CEO Nicole Cornish.
Avoq’s GR operations play a critical role in the firm’s overall client services, covering a wide range of issues for corporate, nonprofit, and trade association clients. These include healthcare, financial services, manufacturing, commerce, appropriations, energy, technology, travel, sports and entertainment. When matched with the firm’s strategic communications operations, Avoq’s mix of government relations services and communications capabilities is something few other firms in the country can offer.
Askew and Grant will lead the GR team that features more than a dozen bipartisan government relations and research professionals. The team also includes fellow partners Stacey Alexander and Barry LaSala. Alexander, a former House chief of staff, works with multiple corporate and trade association clients to design strategic public affairs efforts that cross over multiple disciplines at the firm. LaSala, a former Senate Commerce counsel, focuses on a range of issues, with particular emphasis on technology, telecommunications and the emerging AI sector.
Managing Partners Steve Elmendorf and Jimmy Ryan will continue to focus on client service, strategy and management across Avoq and building expanded offerings for current and new clients.
With decades working in House Republican politics, Askew has built trusted relationships across the GOP leadership and key committees. Askew has effectively managed the Economic Investment Alliance, a diverse industry coalition supporting full expensing tax policy to spur U.S. business investment. He has also developed and executed multiple campaigns on behalf of the integrated gaming resort industry that led to successful policy outcomes in Congress and within the U.S. Treasury, FinCEN, Internal Revenue Service and Federal Trade Commission. Prior to joining Avoq, Askew served as the top lobbyist and vice president of government relations at the American Gaming Association. He previously served former Speaker of the House John A. Boehner (R-Ohio) as executive director of The Freedom Project/Team Boehner and was part of the team that helped usher in the historic House GOP majority in 2010.
Grant specializes in House Democratic Leadership outreach, Congressional Black Caucus strategy and Democratic Caucus relationships. He has been instrumental in assisting a number of Avoq clients cultivate strategic relationships with Democratic Leadership in the House. Recently, he has guided corporate clients to become thought leaders in respective policy areas that are pertinent to their business model and expertise. Prior to joining Avoq, Grant was the director of government relations and lead Democratic lobbyist for H&R Block. He previously served as chief of staff to House Democratic Leader, Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY).
About Avoq
Avoq is an integrated firm that combines communications and advocacy to creatively shape narratives, manage brand reputation, influence national debates, and engage the audiences you need to reach. Avoq’s 200+ employees work from offices in Washington D.C., Chicago, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Miami. Avoq is a portfolio company of Coral Tree Partners, a Los Angeles-based private equity firm focused on investments in the media, entertainment and communications sectors. Visit teamavoq.com to learn more.
