By: Politico

Drivers wanted?

Driver found: at the Herndon, Va., headquarters of Volkswagen Group of America Inc.

Anna Maria Schneider has become the new director of industry-government relations for the world’s fourth-largest automaker.

The self-described “auto-babe” hails from one of Volkswagen’s top competitors — Toyota Motor North America Inc. — where she most recently served as vice president of government and industry affairs.

She also racked up 13 years of experience at Mitsubishi. She was working there when Mitsubishi unveiled its first car to be sold in the United States, the Hyundai Excel, back in 1986.

Why the move to Volkswagen? Schneider said she is going back to her roots: Her parents were immigrants from Germany, and she has always wanted to know what it would be like to work for a European auto company. She also said she is excited to be part of the fast-growing team, as the company recently announced an aggressive strategy to triple its U.S. sales in the next 10 years.

Expanding Kountoupes Consulting

By September, Kountoupes Consulting will have increased its staff by some 30 percent. How can it grow so quickly? The boutique firm of two, which launched last year, is adding a third principal.

Lori Denham will join Kountoupes on Sept. 8, three days after wrapping up her duties at the Retail Industry Leaders Association, where she is executive vice president of government affairs and industry operations.

Before joining RILA, she worked for then-Rep. Cal Dooley (D-Calif.) as legislative director and chief of staff. While with Dooley, Denham helped build the New Democrat Coalition, where she got to know her future colleague Lisa Kountoupes, who was working in President Bill Clinton’s Office of Legislative Affairs.

“The timing was right” to make this move, Denham told Politico, adding that her new job with her old friend is a perfect fit, tying together her experiences working in government and with big corporate clients. Kountoupes “is at the crossroads of both industries,” she said.

At Kountoupes, Denham said she’s likely to work on trade, technology, energy policy and financial service issues. She said she is pleased to continue working with the retail industry group — from the outside.

All eyes on Peele

To the 36,000 students, technicians and doctors of optometry who make up the American Optometric Association: Let us introduce to you Rodney Peele, the new assistant director of regulatory policy and outreach for the association’s Washington office.

Until now, eye care has not been Peele’s area of expertise: He has focused on feet. Peele comes from nearly a decade of service at the American Podiatric Medical Association. There, he most recently served as associate director of health policy and practice, primarily focusing on Medicare and third-party payments.

“Medicare policy is a concern for most health care industries, so it’s been a very busy time right now with recent policy changes going on in Congress,” Peele told Politico.

In addition to working with federal agencies and regulatory affairs on behalf of AOA, Peele will serve as the staff liaison to the AOA Federal Relations committee.

The D.C. native (he was even born at George Washington Hospital) now lives in Rockville, Md., with his wife, Rosineide, and their 4-year-old son, Leonardo.

Paper Association gets newspaper savvy

Scott Milburn, the former press secretary for the White House Office of Management and Budget, has been named executive director of the American Forest and Paper Association.

His duties at the paper association will be far more complex then the age-old “paper or plastic” debate. Milburn will take the reins in coordinating press inquires and working with members of the media in promoting forest and paper policies.

The forest products industry accounts for an estimated 6 percent of the total U.S. manufacturing, but Milburn is a pro when it comes to big-time responsibilities. He has served under OMB directors Joshua Bolten and Rob Portman, as well as multiple members of Congress.

Milburn also served as vice president in the issues management practice of Washington-based APCO Worldwide.

BGR doubles work space

Have a meeting with a BGR Holding partner? Better double-check the address.

In November, the heavyweight lobbying firm will relocate a couple of blocks away, to The Homer Building at 601 13th St. N.W., where it will occupy the 11th floor. BGR is now located at 1275 Pennsylvania Ave. N.W.

Here’s the 411 on the new place: The office will take up 38,101 square feet, a vast improvement from the 17,017 square feet at the current digs. And after signing a 10-year lease, BGR surely has the time — and the room — to grow.

Suite Talk is a regular Politico feature that follows career changes, client developments and other movements in the public affairs sector. Please send news items and photos to suitetalk@politico.com.

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