Carpi & Clay and E. Del Smith and Company Merge; Announce Key New Hire for Government Relations Firm

Expanded Capabilities Allow California-Based Company To Better Serve Expanding Client Roster in Washington, D.C.

[ClickPress, Mon May 07 2007] Carpi & Clay, a California-based government relations firm with offices in Sacramento, San Diego and Washington, D.C., announced today that it is acquiring E. Del Smith and Company. The company will now be known as Carpi Clay & Smith in Washington and continue to operate as Carpi & Clay in California. Additionally, David Wetmore has joined the firm as senior principal.

Ken Carpi, partner, said the two firms joining forces would be a boon for their clients.

“In Washington, Del Smith’s name is synonymous with effective government advocacy,” Carpi said. “The two firms have each built reputations as successful champions for their clients’ causes. The merger will provide our clients with expanded capabilities and connections.”

Smith, who worked on the Eisenhower/Nixon ticket and founded E. Del Smith and Company in 1968, is considered the senior federal advocate in Washington. He says his clients will be well-served by the merger.

“I’ve worked side-by-side with Ken Carpi, Ben Clay and their team on many occasions and have always admired their work,” said Smith. “The new firm will give clients additional quality representation in California and Washington. I’m looking forward to expanding our operation in new and exciting ways and continuing to be actively involved in federal advocacy.”
Ken Carpi said the addition of David Wetmore to Carpi Clay & Smith gets the new firm off to a fast start. Wetmore brings 20 years of hands-on government and congressional relations experience to a firm that specializes in providing strategic counseling and implementing effective government relations programs on behalf of clients from throughout California.

Most recently, Wetmore was California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s chief federal policy advisor and representative to Congress and the White House. As director of Schwarzenegger’s Washington, D.C. office, Wetmore coordinated all aspects of the State’s federal policy agenda and directed specific strategies that promoted California’s interests and boosted the state’s share of federal funds. He brings to Carpi Clay & Smith clients a unique understanding of how federal policies directly impact California government and industries.

Wetmore also has 13 years experience serving in the Washington offices of former Sen. and Gov. Pete Wilson and former Sen. John Seymour.

Ben Clay, partner, said Wetmore’s government experience will benefit the company’s clients in California which include public agencies and local governments as well as public and private companies seeking advocacy on a national level. Wetmore will report to Ken Carpi, managing partner of the Washington, D.C. office.

“We’ve known David since his early days with Pete Wilson and have respected his work over the years in representing California interests at the highest levels of government,” said Carpi. “His understanding of the legislative process and California’s interests within that process will benefit our clients and add to the firm’s strategic planning and legislative communications practice.”

Current clients of the firm include the County of Los Angeles, City of Anaheim, City of Long Beach, Port of Long Beach, San Diego County, Packard Children’s Hospital at Stanford, Port of San Diego, SAIC, San Diego County Water Authority, Scripps HealthCare, Stu Segall Productions, and Joshua Basin Water District, among others.

About Carpi Clay & Smith
Carpi Clay & Smith is a California-based government relations firm with offices in Sacramento, San Diego and Washington, D.C. The firm was founded in 1986 and specializes in providing strategic counseling and implementing effective government relations programs for clients at the local, state and federal levels. Client services include monitoring policies, bills and other pending legislation; providing information about local, state and federal regulations and activities; and pursuing proposals and special projects. The firm has extensive experience in representing clients in transportation and infrastructure, natural resources, environmental regulation, public finance, housing and community development, safety and security, education, health care and international trade and commerce. For more information: www.carpiclay.com.

Contacts:

Gable PR: 877-251-3888
Tom Gable
tom@gablepr.com
Cell: 619-251-3881

Ben Eisenstein
ben@gablepr.com
Cell: 619-920-2360

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