Document 36

Brian V. McCormack
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Summary
Mr. McCormack has more than twenty years of professional experience working directly with key
policymakers and advocacy organizations on a broad spectrum of issues and for a variety of purposes.
He currently serves as the Vice President of External Affairs for the Edison Electric Institute the premier
Washington, D.C-based trade association representing the nation’s investor owned electric utilities.
Responsibilities
Mr. McCormack leads the state-focused government and directs all national external affairs efforts for
the Edison Electric Institute (EEI). He was brought into EEI to build a beyond-the-Beltway practice that
aligned with the industry’s federal practice and industry priorities. He successfully delivered on this
objective in a timely manner and has continued to improve and expand the advocacy practice for the
industry.
Prior to his arrival, EEI’s efforts within the states and with external allies were primarily reactionary.
Today, it is a multi-faceted effort encompassing direct education and engagement utilizing grassroots
(in-person and online), policy experts, consumer organizations, community-based voices and other
stakeholders to bring a diverse set of perspectives and support to key issues.
Mr. McCormack devised a plan and assembled a team to address issues facing the industry. The agility
of the plan and team gives it the ability to swiftly alternate between offense and defense depending on
the issue and communications environment. He directly manages seven individuals and multiple
external consultants; operates across multiple intra-office disciplines and oversees a multi-million dollar
budget.
Professional Experience
Edison Electric Institute

Vice President for External Affairs

January 2011 - Present

Responsible for creating and building a national engagement strategy and
supportive apparatus to promote the electric utility industry’s voice into
key forums and with influential constituencies.
 Map relationship gaps and opportunities around key industry
issues in order to build a conversation around legislation or
regulation.
 Identify and build meaningful community relationships that can be
leveraged for multiple issues and purposes.
 Continue to demonstrate value to a national membership with a
diverse issue set by being anticipating needs and providing tools
and resources to achieve desired solution.
 Grow the EEI PAC each year by demonstrating and recruiting
company-level employees to participate.

 Corporate Political
Strategies
March 2009 – December
2010

Principal
Provided strategic advice and relationship building for a boutique
government and communications practice.
 Maintained a client base that included the US Chamber of
Commerce and a Fortune 100 client.
 Policy issues included labor and immigration reform; state
government priorities; and regulatory reform.

The White House
March 2006 – January
2009

Deputy Assistant to the President for Strategic Initiatives and
External Affairs
As a commissioned member of the White House staff, served in a senior
role responsible for coordinating efforts from beginning to successful
conclusion for key Administration polices and priorities.
 Worked closely and coordinated with the National Security
Council, Homeland Security Council, National Economic
Council and Domestic Policy Council on policy and external
relations.
o Major Administration initiatives including the Economic
Stimulus package, trade agreements, energy and
environment initiatives.
 Maintained and expanded efforts to engage stakeholder
organizations.
o Regularly worked to gain perspectives from key
influencers quickly and confidentially and to persuade
internal White House and external opinion leaders as
policies and positions were being developed.
 Actively worked to identify and engage non-traditional allies
that may share a common objective and work to build a
working relationship.
o Identified organizations and coalitions that shared some,
but not all, objectives on any particular issue but were
willing to participate in a coalition. Examples included
Democratic leaders who supported free trade initiatives;
industry representatives on environmental and
sustainability programs.
Special Assistant to the President and Deputy Director, Office of
Public Liaison
Served as the primary point of contact for all national business trade
associations and corporations. Position required issue prioritization and
active management of many tasks simultaneously.
 Provided insight and advice on industry relationships and outreach

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efforts in order to capitalize on Presidential efforts.
o Identified and directed efforts with industry groups and the
Indian-American community to build support for the
passage of the US – India Civilian nuclear agreement.
Solicited industry perspectives on Congressional and Executive
branch actions and strategy.
o Addressed concerns on legislative proposals in order to
find consensus and identify best path forward. Examples
of issue areas include: free trade agreements, CFIUS
reform, Sarbanes Oxley, immigration reform, education
and energy legislation.
Developed and executed sustained outreach efforts.
o This included: State of the Union roll-out announcements,
health care reform and Presidential personnel nominations
before the Senate.
Identified opportunities for the President and other key
administration officials to build support with domestic and multinational business communities.
o Worked to ensure priority issues are incorporated into
messaging e.g. competitiveness agenda, energy security,
health care reform, and economic expansion and trade.
Assisted in the management of an eleven member team.
o Directed a dynamic group with the purpose of maximizing
outreach efforts.

US Department of
Defense

Special Assistant to the Under Secretary for Acquisition, Technology
and Logistics (AT&L)

February 2005 – March
2006

The AT&L office is responsible for the overall development and
management of Major Defense Acquisition Programs.
 Key advisor to the Under Secretary for Congressional affairs,
industry relationships and outreach.
 Developed and directed rapid response efforts in crisis situations.
 Responsible for developing a model management plan to assist
senior leadership in oversight of various defense agencies.
 Participated in management transformation study groups.

Presidential Inaugural
Committee
December 2004 –
February 2005

Associate Director of Public Liaison
Responsible for ensuring key constituencies were well served during all
celebratory activities.
 Managed a staff of fifteen charged with designing and executing
an outreach plan for three major constituency groups: Congress,
the Diplomatic Corps and Administration-wide political
appointees.
 Developed and successfully executed a ticket allotment plan.

Republican National

Victory 2004 - Operations Manager

 Committee
July 2004 – November
2004

Responsible for the overall coordination and logistics for all Victory
events involving Vice President Cheney.
 Managed an office and field staff of twenty charged with creating
and supporting events.
 Directed effort to maximize candidate’s exposure.
 Managed a budget of $3.4 million and produced53 TV quality
events across the country.
 Liaised with a variety of organizations to ensure events were
successful and Federal Election Commission compliant.

Department of Defense

Special Assistant to Ambassador L. Paul Bremer, Presidential Envoy
to Iraq

May 2003 – June 2004
Responsible for every aspect of day-to-day operations for the
Ambassador’s front office in Baghdad.
 Supervised the progress and efforts of U.S. Government officials
and staff and regularly interacted and coordinated with Iraqi
officials, foreign diplomats and U.S. military.
 Managed competing interests in order to arrive at the best
workable solution.
 Directed the public announcement of the Transfer of Authority in
June 2004; the public announcement of the new Iraqi Government
in May 2004; and played an integral role in the development and
execution of President Bush’s surprise Thanksgiving visit in
November 2003.
 Traveled extensively throughout the Middle East and worked
closely with allies and Coalition Partners.
 Successfully organized, directed and executed dozens of travel
opportunities in a security challenged environment.
 Awarded the DOD Distinguished Civilian Service Award
The White House

Personal Aide to Vice President Dick Cheney

January 2001 – May 2003

Responsible for many aspects of the Vice President’s daily schedule and
coordination amongst the various staff and support offices.
 Accompanied the Vice President on all official, political and
international events and trips.
 Ensured consistency throughout the Vice President’s day and
anticipated and addressed issues before they became problems.
 Served as a liaison between the Vice President and staff
throughout all levels of government.
 Responsible for coordinating and disseminating sensitive and
classified information.

Idaho Republican Party

Executive Director

 June 2000 – November
2000

Provided advice to all Republican candidates and assisted in the execution
of their campaign plans.
 Responsible for all statewide political and fundraising activities.
 Efforts resulted in a net gain in the Idaho Legislature. Coordinated
all Bush-Cheney 2000 activities in state.

Eismann for Supreme
Court
January 2000 – May 2000

Campaign Manager
Conceptualized and managed a statewide grass roots campaign resulting
in the first successful challenge of an incumbent in over 50 years.
 Responsible for campaign strategy, tactics and fundraising.
 Developed a statewide volunteer base of grassroot interests,
farmers, ranchers, business owners and judicial conservatives.
 Overcame significant down-ballot drop off to win by over 18%.

The Honorable Dirk
Kempthorne

Office of the Governor, Kempthorne for Governor and US Senate
Office

January 2007 – January
2000

Over a three year period worked for Mr. Kempthorne in his Senate office,
on his Gubernatorial campaign and in the Governor’s office. Began as a
junior staff person and progressively worked upward in a short period of
time in various positions.
 Served as front-line staff for constituents concerns.
 Recognized the importance of grasstops engagement and
developed a skeletal framework improve communication and
development of key constituencies.
 During Gubernatorial campaign was responsible for all on-theground efforts in the state’s major population center.

Education
Boise State University; B.A. Criminal Justice Administration; 1996
New Mexico Military Institute; A.A. General Studies; 1993