NRF Continues to Grow Advocacy Function; Hires House Lobbyist, PAC Director

For Immediate Release
Kathy Grannis (202)783-7971
grannisk@nrf.com

NRF Continues to Grow Advocacy Function; Hires House Lobbyist, PAC Director

Washington, June 28, 2011 – The National Retail Federation today announced the additions of a veteran Washington lobbyist and the former manager of a major corporate political action committee to its growing government relations team.

“NRF is continuing to enlist top-notch talent as we work to grow the retail industry’s advocacy footprint to match the size of its economic footprint,” NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay said. “Kelly and Lisa have tremendous expertise that will help ensure that the voice of retail is heard loud and clear in the nation’s capital.”

Kelly Knott has been hired as Senior Director for Federal Government Relations and will serve as NRF’s primary House lobbyist, a new position directing engagement with House members and their staffs. The position is parallel to that of NRF Senior Director for Federal Government Relations Beth Provenzano, who was hired in April as NRF’s primary Senate lobbyist. Knott will also be responsible for labor and immigration issues.

Knott comes to NRF from the Associated General Contractors of America, where she has served as director of government affairs since 2001, lobbying primarily on labor issues affecting the contracting industry. She was previously a federal government relations representative at J.C. Penney, worked at the Jefferson Government Relations lobbying firm, and served as a legislative assistant to former Representative Mel Hancock, R-Mo. She holds a bachelor’s degree from St. Mary’s College and a master’s degree in political management from George Washington University.

“NRF is thrilled to find an individual with Kelly’s combination of experience as a Capitol Hill staffer, lobbyist and retail industry veteran,” Shay said. “She is a key addition as NRF continues to expand its advocacy efforts.”

Lisa Rice has been hired as Senior Director for Political Affairs and will serve as director of RetailPAC, NRF’s political action committee. She will be responsible for administering and growing the PAC.

Rice comes to NRF from Citigroup Inc., where she was manager of political and external affairs and had managed the Citi Political Action Committee since 2005 after working previously in marketing and brand management. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Tulane University and a master’s degree in management from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

“Lisa’s track record will serve us well as we work to significantly bolster the retail industry’s PAC,” Shay said.     

As the world's largest retail trade association and the voice of retail worldwide, the National Retail Federation's global membership includes retailers of all sizes, formats and channels of distribution as well as chain restaurants and industry partners from the United States and more than 45 countries abroad. In the United States, NRF represents the breadth and diversity of an industry with more than 1.6 million American companies that employ nearly 25 million workers and generated 2010 sales of $2.4 trillion. www.nrf.com.

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