New York, July 13, 2010 – Burson-Marsteller, a leading global public relations and communications firm, today announced it has appointed Pete Havel as a Director in the U.S. Public Affairs Practice. For the past 12 years, Havel has represented and advocated for three of the nation’s leading trade associations, and he was most recently the Executive Director for Congressional and Public Affairs for the Southwest and South Central Regions for the United States Chamber of Commerce. Havel will be based in Dallas and report to U.S. Public Affairs Practice Chair Mike Lake.
“Pete’s experience in political advocacy and government affairs and his relationships in business and politics are a great new asset for our clients as our practice continues to grow,” said Lake.
Havel has more than 12 years of experience as a strategic planner, spokesman, fundraiser, public policy strategist and manager. As the Executive Director for Congressional and Public Affairs for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, he represented the nation’s largest business association in an eight-state region. His duties included fundraising, media relations, advocacy, public speaking and direct outreach to Congress. He organized and led a number of grassroots initiatives and lobbying in specific congressional districts to support the passage of key business votes in healthcare, energy, labor and taxation. He was also instrumental in the creation of the Congressional Business Forum program in key corporate markets to enhance the U.S. Chamber brand and relationship with key elected officials and corporate contacts.
He worked with elected officials and staff in state government on issues ranging from outsourcing legislation, data security, immigration, regional climate change initiatives, energy issues and legal reform to advance agenda of broad business community. As a U.S. Chamber spokesman, he conducted dozens of media interviews and press conferences and interacted frequently with national media outlets. During his tenure, Havel built high-level bi-partisan and non-partisan relationships with elected officials and their staffs and other contacts throughout the business community and Chamber community.
Prior to joining the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Havel was the Regional Political Director for the National Federation of Independent Business where he served as the liaison to elected officials, campaign staffs, media outlets and state affiliates in a 15-state region.
Havel’s political experience started in the Massachusetts House of Representatives when he served as the Deputy Chief of Staff for the House Minority Whip. Havel analyzed policy on transportation and public pension-related issues for the Minority Leader’s office. He then went on to work as a political and media consultant before joining the Associated Builders and Contractors as the Regional Political Manager. In this role, he managed and implemented PAC fundraising plans for the 13 chapters of the association within his four-state region. In addition, he launched grassroots lobbying efforts targeting lawmakers on tax and labor initiatives and directly lobbied Members of the House and Senate on targeted issues.
Harvel obtained his Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from Baylor University in Texas. He also graduated from a four-year program from the Institute for Organizational Management, a nationally-recognized program for non-profit professionals.
About Burson-Marsteller
Burson-Marsteller (www.burson-marsteller.com), established in 1953, is a leading global public relations and communications firm. It provides clients with strategic thinking and program execution across a full range of public relations, public affairs, advertising and web-related services. The firm’s seamless worldwide network consists of 68 offices and 73 affiliate offices, together operating in 98 countries across six continents. Burson-Marsteller is a part of Young & Rubicam Brands, a subsidiary of WPP (NASDAQ: WPPGY), one of the world’s leading communications services networks.