Ford Hires Lobbyist Pete Lawson

Washington top lobbyist Pete Lawson was hired by Ford Motor Co. as vice president of government relations and will assume the position in early May. Lawson last worked as the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's (the world’s largest business federation representing three million businesses) chief lobbyist on legal reform, corporate governance and financial services issues.

Ziad Ojakli, Ford vice president of government and community relations said in a release about the "leading lobbyist from one of the most respected organizations in Washington" that he will "brings to the position his strong relationships across Capitol Hill, a keen understanding of how business and government can partner to achieve important public policy goals and tremendous leadership skills".

Pete Lawson will take the position formerly held by Bruce Andrews. The latter left the auto manufacturer in February, to become the general counsel for the Senate's Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation.

Before joining the Chamber in 2004, Lawson served as senior counsel to Congressman Jim Moran, where he worked with members of the New Democrat Coalition to develop and implement their legislative agenda.

He served on Representative Moran's staff from 1998 to 2001 and from 2002 to 2004. He also served from 2001 to 2002 as deputy director of government affairs for one of the nation’s top accounting and consulting firms.

From 1989 to 1993, he worked as a consumer protection specialist in the North Carolina Attorney General’s Office, where he investigated business fraud and assisted with the prosecution of businesses found to be in violation of state and federal consumer protection laws.