(Washington, D.C.) – Today, Van Scoyoc Associates (VSA) announced that Jennifer LaTourette returned to VSA on January 1st and is bringing with her a team of talented individuals. “Jennifer LaTourette is one of the most well-respected government affairs professionals in this country. I am thrilled she chose to return to VSA and excited about the capabilities her team brings to our clients,” said H. Stewart “Stu” Van Scoyoc, President and CEO of VSA.

“Jennifer and her team add experience, expertise and a wealth of relationships to VSA and help position the firm for 2017 and the years ahead,” continued Van Scoyoc. “This reflects our firm’s commitment to providing our clients unparalleled representation in Congress, the Executive Branch and in the media.”

“Few in Washington are more effective advocates for their clients than Jennifer LaTourette. What makes Jennifer so successful is her deep understanding of the policy and the process when it comes to complex issues like healthcare reform and tax reform coupled with her years of bipartisan experience working on and off the Hill. I’ve sought her counsel myself and know firsthand that Van Scoyoc Associates - and their clients - are lucky to have her,” said Rep. Pat Tiberi (R-OH).

“For me, the decision to come back was an easy one, VSA enjoys an unrivaled reputation for success in the complex ever-changing world that is DC in the 21st century,” said LaTourette, who spent 10 years at VSA before co-founding McDonald Hopkins Government Strategies (MHGS) with her late husband former Rep. Steve LaTourette (R-OH). “Stu understands that the key to success in this city is the ability to anticipate, adapt and harness change to the benefit of your clients.”

In conjunction with Jennifer’s return to VSA, the firm is also excited to announce the creation of a Strategic Communications Practice.

As part of this new practice offering, Christopher Barron has been tapped as VSA’s Director of Communications. Barron was most recently the Director of Communications Practice at McDonald Hopkins Government Strategies. Prior to joining MHGS, Barron was President of CapSouth Consulting, a full-service communications firm, and the former co-founder and Chairman of the Board of GOProud. During the most recent campaign cycle, Barron was a media surrogate for the Trump campaign and the organizer of LGBT for Trump.

“Van Scoyoc Associates believes now is the time for us to grow a strategic communications practice and we are excited to bring Chris Barron on board to guide that effort as our Director of Communications,” said Stu Van Scoyoc. “Chris is a talented communicator with a wealth of experience and expertise who understands the power of an effective communications strategy.”

Chris is a contributor to The Guardian and a regular on the Kennedy Show on the FOX Business Channel.

Barron has also previously served as a press representative for former Rep. Steve LaTourette (R-OH), former Rep. Charlie Bass (R-NH), former Rep. Tom Davis (R-VA), and the Republican Main Street Partnership.

Also joining VSA are Matthew Henken and Lauren Cowles, both of whom will be joining VSA as Directors of Government Relations. Matt and Lauren previously served as Legislative Directors at MHGS.

Before joining MHGS, Matt spent 10 years working in the United States House of Representatives and was the Legislative Director and Rules Committee Associate for U.S. Rep. Ed Perlmutter (D-CO). Earlier, he served as personal staff on the Homeland Security Committee and was a congressional aide to U.S. Rep. Mark Udall (D-CO).

During her time on the Hill, Lauren spent over eight years working in the U.S. Senate for Senator Mark Pryor (D-AR) on multiple legislative matters, including transportation and appropriations issues.