(Washington, D.C.) Today, a group of veteran congressional staffers announced the launch of Penn Hill Group, a groundbreaking, bipartisan government relations firm. Penn Hill Group’s leadership is made up of experts on education, disability, health, workforce and other critical federal policy areas. With decades of Capitol Hill and private sector experience, the firm will provide clients with cutting-edge government relations, advocacy, policy development and analysis, and strategic consulting support.

Members of Penn Hill Group have played key roles in shaping some of the most important domestic policy issues considered in recent years. This includes K–12 education initiatives like the No Child Left Behind Act, welfare reform, special education and vocational rehabilitation, job training, health care reform, key programs in the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act, higher education, early childhood education, and other critical issues ranging from juvenile justice to library and museum policy.

Penn Hill Group is uniquely positioned to offer superior services to clients seeking representation in Washington, D.C. The firm represents trade and advocacy associations, colleges and universities, education service providers, civil rights groups, foundations, for-profit companies, and community-based organizations at the national, state and local levels.

Penn Hill Group’s leadership includes:

• Vic Klatt: Klatt has been involved in nearly every major federal education policy initiative since 1989. Most recently a vice president with Van Scoyoc Associates, Klatt also served as Republican staff director of the U.S. House Education and Labor Committee for incoming Armed Services Committee Chairman Howard P. “Buck” McKeon, and deputy assistant secretary with the U.S. Department of Education. He worked at the Republican National Committee and as campaign manager and press secretary for incoming U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Fred Upton (R-MI).

• Alex Nock: Nock brings over 17 years of federal policy experience to Penn Hill Group. He served as Democratic deputy staff director for the U.S. House Education and Labor Committee, where he oversaw the committee’s work in education, workforce, health and disability policy. From 2005–2007, Nock was the director of the Commission on No Child Left Behind, which issued the revolutionary report Beyond NCLB: Fulfilling the Promise to Our Nation’s Children.

• Danica Petroshius: Petroshius brings nearly 20 years of federal policy experience to Penn Hill Group. The former president and CEO of Policy Strategies and Solutions, Petroshius also served as the late Sen. Edward M. Kennedy’s chief of staff as well as deputy staff director and top education adviser on the U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee. She worked at the U.S. Department of Education during the Clinton administration, where she focused on the 1994 reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act.

• D’Arcy Philps: Philps comes to Penn Hill Group from Van Scoyoc Associates, where he served as a vice president in its education practice and helped build one of the largest and most successful education and workforce practices in Washington, D.C. Philps also focused on education and workforce policy during his eight years with the U.S. House Education and Labor Committee.

• Rich Stombres: Most recently a director for Van Scoyoc Associates in its education practice, Stombres also guided education and human services policy as Republican deputy director of education and human services in the U.S. House Education and Labor Committee. He previously served in the 80th Training Division, U.S. Army Reserve.

The firm is located in the Penn Quarter neighborhood in Washington, D.C. Learn more about Penn Hill Group atwww.pennhillgroup.com.