Venn Strategies Announces New Senior Management Team

Firm’s Streamlined Structure and Staff Additions to Enhance Client-Focused Service

WASHINGTON DC – Venn Strategies, LLC, a leading public affairs and government relations firm in Washington, DC, today announced that a newly restructured senior management team will lead clients in its expert advocacy, issue management, coalition management and strategic advisory services.

Stephanie Silverman, who founded the firm in 2001, will serve as Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Penny Lee will take on the role of President, and Brian Reardon will assume the position of Chief Operating Officer (COO). Additionally, Noelle Lundberg, Senior Vice President, will expand her role to manage the firm’s human resources, and Melissa Bonicelli, Senior Vice President, will take on Venn’s client relations.

“We’ve taken a fresh approach to Venn’s management structure to maximize our staff’s strengths and talents,” said Silverman. “We’re adding new responsibilities and new faces as we gear up for one of our biggest years to date.”

As CEO of Venn Strategies, Silverman will spearhead the firm in shaping key national policy debates, including critical matters of health care, tax and economic policy. Silverman will also continue to serve on the national Board of Directors of the Campaign to End Obesity, on the board of the S Corporation Association, as a Trustee of the Democratic Governors Association and on the Advisory Board of the National Conference of Democratic Mayors/Mayors Alliance for Democratic Progress. Prior to launching Venn, Ms. Silverman was a senior advisor with the firm of Manatt, Phelps & Phillips.

As President, Penny Lee will specialize in communication development and strategy, executing state and national public affairs initiatives. A regular commentator on the political process, campaigns and elections, she appears frequently as an analyst on MSNBC, The Hannity Show, FOXNews, ABC News Now and CNN. Lee joined Venn Strategies in January 2009 after serving as the top communications and political advisor to U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid. She also led the Democratic Governors Association for the 2005-06 cycle, overseeing 38 statewide elections and successfully adding six governorships to the Democrats’ tally. Ms. Lee also previously served as Communications Director to Gov. Ed Rendell (D-PA).

As COO, Brian Reardon will manage the firm’s internal operations in addition to assisting clients in the areas of tax, health care, financial services and energy policy. Prior to joining Venn, Reardon served as a Special Assistant to the President for economic policy, where he was the principal tax aide at the President’s National Economic Council. Reardon also was the Staff Director and Chief Economist at the Senate Republican Policy Committee and served as a budget aide for Senator Spence Abraham (R-MI).

Noelle Lundberg will manage human resources at Venn while continuing to serve its clients. For the past eight years, she has provided in-depth expertise in tax policy and legislative strategy for trade association, corporate and coalition clients. Previously, Lundberg served as an associate with a major Washington, DC law firm and as legislative director to former House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Bill Archer (R-TX).

Melissa Bonicelli, who for the past five years has specialized in advancing Venn’s corporate, small business and not-for-profit client interests at both the federal and state government levels in the areas of tax policy and financial services, will now also oversee Venn’s client relations. She previously served as legislative director to former House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Bill Archer (R-TX) and was on the policy staff of the Committee on Ways and Means.

Venn Strategies also announced the addition of a new staff member. Rebecca Dreilinger, former Press Secretary to Congressman Luis V. Gutierrez (D-IL) joins the firm as Assistant Vice President. Dreilinger’s work on Capitol Hill included developing national media strategies on behalf of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus and the Subcommittee on Financial Institutions and Consumer Credit. Prior to that, she managed communications for the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute, branding the national profile of the nonprofit as well as its board members, including members of Congress and Fortune 500 executives.

“Ms. Dreilinger’s expertise in media relations will be an asset in helping us showcase our clients’ substantial achievements,” continued Silverman. “We’re confident that her addition to our team —paired with our new, more streamlined management structure— will enhance the service we provide our existing clients, as well as expand our business into exciting and innovative areas.”