Eric "Rick" Kessler President

Washington, DC

Rick Kessler has more than 20 years combined legislative experience on both the federal and state level, as well as significant federal, state and local campaign experience. His unique background in policy, politics and process led The New Republic to declare that "Kessler is as fluent in the intricacies of carbon-capture technology as any energy wonk now on the Hill. And he is emblematic of the kind of lobbyist that is currently in high demand--top level Democratic staffers who can retool their arguments to fit a hands-on governing agenda."

Mr. Kessler is best known as a Democratic Professional Staff Member for the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, where he was the primary staffer to all the Democratic Committee Members on issues such as pipeline safety, cogeneration, renewables, efficiency, hydro-power, public lands, oil, gas, coal, and energy-related research, remediation and tax policy. He also served a longtime chief of staff to the Committee’s Chair Emeritus and former Chairman John D. Dingell (D-MI).

Immediately prior to joining DLGS, Mr. Kessler was the Director of New Jersey Governor Jon S. Corzine’s (D) Washington, DC office. He was responsible for all federal matters including congressional and executive branch relations for the State of New Jersey, and Mr. Kessler served as principal staffer to Governor Corzine in his role as Chairman of the National Governors Association Health and Human Services Committee. In particular, he played a major role in the development of the Governors’ policy on the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) and was a leading architect of the enactment of SCHIP shortfall funding legislation at the end of the 109^th Congress.

As Professional Staff to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, Kessler was responsible for developing and managing strategy and materials for all legislative and oversight efforts in his areas for all Democratic Committee Members. This activity included drafting legislation and amendments, writing and conducting hearing and markup briefings for Members and staff, writing memoranda, witness questions and letters to agencies, and analyzing any laws, policy or legislation in his areas. He was a top advisor to the Energy and Commerce Committee, not only on energy issues, but also in areas such as pipeline safety, toxic waste cleanup, clean water, public lands and natural resources, and clean air. In particular, Mr. Kessler served as primary staffer to the Democratic Committee Members on numerous issues related to the Pipeline Safety Act, the Public Utilities Regulatory Policies Act, the Federal Power Act, the Natural Gas Act, the Natural Gas Policy Act, the Nuclear Waste Policy Act, Energy Policy and Conservation Act, The Northwest Power Act, Uranium Mill Tailings Radiation Control Act, the Energy Policy Act, and many others. During this time, Kessler also served as senior staff to the Democratic Energy Task Force established and run by Minority Leader Richard Gephardt.

In 2003, Kessler was promoted by Chairman Dingell to be his top advisor after redistricting threw Dingell –the most senior Member of the House of Representatives— into a brand new district. Kessler took time off from negotiating the Pipeline Safety Act of 2002 and comprehensive energy policy legislation to volunteer on Dingell’s primary campaign, running a 1,000 person get out the vote effort that sealed his victory over then-Rep. Lynn Rivers (D-MI). Kessler then, as Chief of Staff, successfully established Dingell’s presence in the new, liberal parts of the district while simultaneously maintaining the Congressman’s solid relations and high approval rating with the more conservative constituency in his traditional political base. While serving as Chairman Dingell’s chief of staff, he was responsible for all political, legislative, policy, press and administrative matters, including management of a multimillion budget and more than 20 staff located in four offices in two states.

Prior to joining the Committee, Mr. Kessler was the Associate Director of Government Affairs for Princeton University, and he worked as a top aide to Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee Chairman Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) which included serving as Legislative Director and lead energy and environment staffer during Mr. Pallone’s tenure as Ranking Member of the Energy Subcommittee. While working for Congressman Pallone he also was responsible for Health and Environment Subcommittee, Finance and Hazardous Materials Subcommittee and all matters relating to energy and environment including related appropriations. As Legislative Director, he helped establish the 68-member House Democratic Environmental Task Force.

Early in his career, Mr. Kessler developed his command of energy and environment issues in legislative positions with Senator Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ) and former Representative William J. Hughes (D-NJ) for whom he managed all Rep. Hughes’ Merchant Marine and Fisheries Committee work. He also had primary responsibility for clean air, clean water, public lands protection and energy issues for Representatives Pallone and Hughes.

Mr. Kessler is a graduate of Kenyon College and Rutgers University and also attended the University of Surrey in Guildford, UK.

News

June 19, 2009: Dow Lohnes Participates in “Banding Together: The 6th Annual Battle of the Law Firm Bands” – Event Raises $80K for “Gifts for the Homeless”

February 25, 2009: DLGS team mentioned in The Center for Public Integrity Blog

December 8, 2008: Rick Kessler quoted in The New Republic article "Transformers"

November 21, 2008: Rick Kessler discusses Chairman Dingell's legacy in an interview with NPR

rkessler@dowlohnesgov.com