Prime Policy Group Announces Schmitz, Simpkins to Join as Managing Directors, Creation of Prime Policy Transatlantic Group

Washington, D.C- Prime Policy Group, a premier bipartisan government relations and consulting firm in Washington, D.C., is pleased to announce the hiring of the Honorable John P. Schmitz and Martina Simpkins, as Managing Directors. John and Martina will take the lead in the newly created Prime Policy Transatlantic Group, which will extend the firm’s reach to Europe.“John and Martina are great additions to our firm, and our clients will benefit greatly from their expertise,” said Prime Policy Group President and CEO R. Scott Pastrick. “Not only will they be an asset to our clients in Washington, but their years of experience working across the Atlantic present new and exciting opportunities in Europe through our newly-branded Prime Policy Transatlantic Group, which will have offices in Brussels and Berlin.”John Schmitz brings to Prime extensive legal and political experience working for Fortune 50 companies in Germany and in Europe. His notable resume includes complex domestic and international transactions and regulatory matters, with a focus on antitrust, media and telecommunications, energy and environment issues. During his career, John has served in private transatlantic practice for over 20 years, including as a partner at Mayer Brown LLP where he helped launch a thriving German practice with 100+ lawyers. He was previously Deputy Counsel to President George H. W. Bush; law clerk to The Honorable Antonin Scalia, U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia; and Special Assistant to William Baxter, Assistant Attorney General for Antitrust, U.S. Department of Justice.“As a first rate lawyer, John was able to cull the best ideas from opposing views working respectfully and effectively in a bipartisan way. Maybe most importantly, John was and continues to be an invaluable source of insight on German issues,” said President George H.W. Bush about John Schmitz. “John has a keen appreciation for both U.S. and European institutions, history and politics and is a leader in the private sector, helping to open up transatlantic markets. I trust his thoughtful judgment and advice.”A fluent German speaker, John has received numerous German-related honors including the Officers Cross of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany (“Bundesverdienstkreuz, 1st Class”), awarded in 1990 by German President Richard von Weizsaecker, the Ellis Island Medal of Honor from the National Ethnic Coalition Organization, and the Distinguished German American of the Year Award in 2000 from the United German American Committee. He recently was named Robert Bosch Fellow of the Year in 2011. John is admitted to practice law in Washington, D.C., Pennsylvania, and Germany.Martina Simpkins brings to Prime a wealth of strategic, legal and policy experience with a special focus on transatlantic policy and regulatory issues, international trade and foreign investment. Martina’s expertise as a lawyer trained both domestically and in Germany, has helped German and multinational companies navigate the complex international regulatory environment. Martina has represented global Fortune 50 companies, venture companies, and business associations operating in both the United States and Europe. Martina is fluent in English, German and Spanish and has a working command of French.Throughout her career, Martina has served as an attorney and senior advisor in international firms, including as a member of Mayer Brown LLP's Government and Global Trade Practice and in GE’s International Law & Policy department. Martina is admitted to practice law in Washington, D.C., New York, and Frankfurt, Germany.

###

About Prime Policy Group (www.prime-policy.com)Prime Policy Group provides public affairs services to a select number of domestic, international, and multinational clients. The company’s lobbyists, lawyers, communications professionals, foreign affairs specialists and research team design and execute federal government strategies that affect public policy and enhance business practices and development.Prime Policy’s capabilities encompass a broad range of economic, social, domestic and international issues. Clients include Fortune 100 companies, multinationals, trade and industry associations, foreign governments, state governments and municipalities.Prime Policy Group offers decades of experience in public affairs and domestic and international business strategy with a reputation for excellence in client service. Prime Policy Group is a subsidiary of Burson-Marsteller Global Public Relations with 42 offices worldwide, a WPP-owned company.