NAMIC Hires Dem. Lobbyists Mitchell and Jones

The National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies announced it has hired two Capitol Hill veterans with financial services' backgrounds as its new Democratic lobbyists.

Joining the NAMIC Federal Affairs operation are Kathy Mitchell and Dylan Jones, both of whom have worked for a number of House members.

While working in the offices of Florida Rep. Tim Mahoney, D-Fla., and Rep. Dan Boren, D-Okla., Ms. Mitchell worked with the House Financial Services Committee on issues central to the property-casualty insurance industry, NAMIC said.

The organization said Mr. Jones gained extensive experience in the financial services industry as a staff member for Rep. Paul Kanjorski, D-Pa., chairman of the Subcommittee on Capital Markets, Insurance and Government Sponsored Enterprises, and Rep. Carolyn McCarthy, D-N.Y. He also served as tax and budget counsel for Rep. Shelley Berkley, D-Nev., chair of the Democratic Caucus Tax and Budget Task Force and member of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.

Jimi Grande, NAMIC's vice president of federal and political affairs, said, "It's essential that the message of NAMIC's members--Main Street companies--not get lost as Congress considers major reforms of the financial services industry. Kathy and Dylan will be at the forefront of our efforts to ensure NAMIC's voice is considered in every debate affecting mutual insurers."

NAMIC said Ms. Mitchell will be the lead lobbyist on all natural disaster issues, including the extension and reform of the National Flood Insurance Program and legislation to encourage states to adopt and enforce uniform statewide building codes.

Mr. Jones, NAMIC said, will focus on issues related to protecting the use of valuable, effective underwriting tools, such as credit-based insurance scoring.

Mr. Jones said in a statement, "I anxiously await the opportunity to meet with my former colleagues in Congress and explain the great success story of the nation's mutual insurance companies and the need to allow them to continue to flourish."

The two new hires began working with its members and meeting with congressional lawmakers just before the start of the 111th Congress. NAMIC said.