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Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Leading Government Affairs Firm Opens Offices in Texas and Mississippi

Cornerstone Expands Footprint with Opening of Houston and Jackson Offices

WASHINGTON-Cornerstone Government Affairs, LLC, a bipartisan government relations and public affairs firm headquartered in Washington, D.C., today announced the opening of state offices in Houston, Texas and Jackson, Mississippi and the addition of four respected government relations professionals.

Tony Essalih and Tim Schauer have joined Cornerstone as Vice Presidents and will lead the firm's operations across Texas. Joe Sims and Camille Scales Young, both respected government affairs figures in Mississippi, also join as Vice Presidents and will direct the firm's presence in the Magnolia State.

"The Houston and Jackson offices will complement our existing state offices in Baton Rouge and Des Moines, extend the Cornerstone business and brand, and allow our firm to better serve its clients in these important states," firm president Geoff Gonella said. "We have built our business on the foundation of providing team-oriented, comprehensive, and personal service. We take our reputation seriously as a firm and are thrilled to be able to count these accomplished professionals as part of our growing team."

Founded in Washington in 2002, Cornerstone has since expanded to include state offices in Baton Rouge, Louisiana (2008), Des Moines, Iowa (2010), Houston and Jackson. The new offices will assist clients with their government relations needs in front of state and federal Texas and Mississippi decision makers.

Utilizing the same innovative team-oriented philosophy and approach started nearly a decade ago in the firm's Washington headquarters, the Texas and Mississippi staff will provide clients a diverse range of services that are based on significant experience, broad expertise and solid working relationships throughout each state's government and federal delegation.

TEXAS OFFICE

Tony Essalih joins Cornerstone as co-lead of the firm's flagship Texas office in Houston. He is a 12-year veteran of Capitol Hill and comes to Cornerstone from the office of Congressman John Culberson (R-TX). Essalih served Culberson for 10 years, the last five as his Chief of Staff. Prior to that position, he spent time as a Legislative Assistant, Legislative Director, Communications Director, and Deputy Chief of Staff to the congressman. He worked in Washington, DC for eight years before moving to Houston in 2007. Once in Houston, Tony split his time between the two cities.

As Chief of Staff, Tony was responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Congressman's Washington and Houston offices and oversaw a 13-member staff. Tony's areas of expertise include energy, budget and appropriations, and transportation. He also served as the Congressman's principal advisor on strategic policy initiatives and political issues, interacting regularly with key state government decision makers in Austin.

Prior to working for Culberson, Tony worked for former House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Bill Archer and for current House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Doc Hastings. Tony has advised and assisted numerous local, state, and federal campaigns. He has also served on the board of a local Houston hospital and was a member of Mayor Annise Parker's transition team in 2010.

Tim Schauer joins Cornerstone as co-lead of the firm's flagship Texas office in Houston. He has over 18 years of government relations experience working in both Austin and Washington, D.C. Over the last decade, Tim's primary responsibilities were focused on leading the advocacy efforts of the Memorial Hermann Healthcare System, one of the largest non-profit health care systems in the country. In that capacity, Tim developed and managed the public policy agenda as well as guided the government relations efforts on local, state and national issues. Tim's collaborative style and upbeat leadership skills were recognized when he chaired the Greater Houston Partnership's Federal Relations Committee for three consecutive years.

While broadening his horizons, Tim also worked in a business development position for Memorial Hermann, which afforded him the experiences of managing on the frontlines of the health care industry. While serving on the Memorial Hermann leadership team, he has first-hand experience in disaster recovery after rebuilding from the damages from Tropical Storm Allison in 2001 and Hurricane Ike in 2008. Most recently, Tim worked as a consultant on the Houston-based Ashcroft Group Consulting Services team, focusing primarily on health care compliance activities in Fortune 200 medical device manufacturers.

Prior to working for Memorial Hermann, Tim was the Chief Operating Officer for the Texas Health Care Council, a statewide advocacy group dedicated to focusing public attention on the uninsured challenges to the health care delivery system. In the 1990s, Tim built almost ten years of insider experience as a Texas Senate staffer to former Lt. Governor Bob Bullock(D), Senator Chris Harris (R-Arlington) and Senator Judith Zaffirini (D-Laredo) where he worked on numerous pieces of legislation and budgets.

MISSISSIPPI OFFICE

Joe Sims, a veteran of 30 years working on major energy and economic development issues in Mississippi, will be joining Cornerstone Government Affairs as a Vice President in the Jackson office. He comes to Cornerstone with a wealth of experience in public and government affairs, particularly working with the energy industry in Mississippi. Prior to forming his firm, Pinnacle Consulting, in 2007, he managed the U.S. Oil and Gas Association in the state. The association's membership is comprised of a cross-section of energy companies. Joe graduated from Mississippi State University in 1972 with a B.S. Degree in Business Management.

Camille Scales Young, a 15-year veteran of Mississippi Legislative sessions, joins Cornerstone as a Vice President in the Jackson office. During her years of service at the Capitol, Young has successfully worked for the funding needs of clients, economic development projects across the state, agricultural gains and county government efforts. Young's numerous successful legislative quests have included appropriations and general obligation bonds for infrastructure, buildings and renovations at facilities across the state, primary seat belt legislation and educational and health advancements for the underserved population.

Young was named to Mississippi Business Journal's Top 40 Under 40 in 2004 and Top 50 Business Women in 2005 and has been honored with recognitions including Dress for Success's Woman of Strength Award and the Girl Scouts Woman of Distinction Award. Young has been an active member of the metro-Jackson community, including involvement in the Junior League of Jackson, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated and as a volunteer for the Mississippi Children's Museum. She serves as 1st Vice President of Mississippi State University National Alumni Association and on the MS 4-H Foundation Board of Trustees. Young is a graduate of Mississippi State University (B.A. and M.S.)

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Cornerstone Government Affairs, LLC is a full-service, bipartisan public affairs consulting firm specializing in government relations and lobbying. Founded in 2002 in Washington, D.C, the firm has since expanded to include state-focused government relations offices in Baton Rouge, LA, Des Moines, IA, Houston, TX and Jackson, MS. Cornerstone's team of 40 senior professionals provides clients with professional and hands-on public relations, lobbying, strategic consulting, crisis management, advocacy, and marketing services. Cornerstone represents a diverse group of clients from myriad industries and sectors, and maintains expertise in a wide range of issue areas, including agriculture, budget and appropriations, clean technologies, cultural institutions, defense, education, energy, health, homeland security, international affairs, tax policy, telecommunications and transportation and infrastructure. Unique in the government relations industry, Cornerstone utilizes an innovative team-oriented approach in order to provide clients with the collective experience, expertise and resources of the entire firm.

Media Contacts:

Anne S. Mullins Adam J. Segal
(202) 731-1992 (202) 422-4673
anne@asmullins.com<mailto:anne@asmullins.com> adam@the2050group.com<mailto:adam@the2050group.com>


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Campbell Kaufman | Cornerstone Government Affairs
Washington, DC | Baton Rouge, LA | Des Moines, IA

Note: New offices recently opened in Houston, TX & Jackson, MS

(202) 669-0575 mobile | (202) 448-9535 direct

300 Independence Avenue, SE
Washington, DC 20003
(202) 448-9500 phone
(202) 448-9501 fax

on the web @ www.cgagroup.com<http://www.cgagroup.com/>