As the executive director of the Republican Gov-ernors Association, Michael Pieper spent the past year focused on the priorities of some of the country’s most influential politicians. The 18-year Washington resident will soon turn his attention to a different breed of influencers: In January, Pieper, 44, steps into his new role as managing director of independent R&R Partners’ upcoming office in the capital city.
Headquartered in Las Vegas, R&R Partners is best known for its “What happens here, stays here” work for the city’s Convention and Visitors Authority. But the agency has also become a player within Nevada’s legislative and public-advocacy arenas. Pieper and RGA deputy executive director Victoria Soberinsky are set to establish an R&R Partners toehold among D.C.’s government-lobbying shops.
“It’s a unique position—a large ad firm as a backdrop for lobbying,” Pieper said, explaining that most of the agency’s competitors would be “law firms or government-affairs shops.” R&R Partners, he said, offers a “different approach, with its huge creative team back in Las Vegas.” Work at the D.C. office will “focus initially on issues that affect Nevada,” Pieper said, such as energy, gambling and public lands.
The new branch will maintain close ties with R&R’s Reno office, led by longtime political consultant Peter Ernaut.
Prior to his RGA role, Pieper served as director of Nevada governor Kenny Guinn’s Washington office. From 1986 to 1996, he managed congresswoman Barbara Vucanovich’s campaign, then served as her chief of staff. During that time, Pieper was also an associate staff member of the House Appropriations Committee.
When R&R Partners’ chief executive officer and Democratic party advisor Billy Vassiliadis approached him last summer regarding the D.C. branch position, “it was a good time,” Pieper said. “The opportunity to work for R&R was exciting.”
And he doesn’t expect party affiliation to be an issue with clients. “They just want an effective, successful campaign,” he said.
R&R Partners Taps D.C. Head
