GEIA expands government relations

The Government Electronics and Information Technology Association (GEIA) is expanding its government relations efforts by assuming responsibility for the Electronic Industries Alliance's (EIA) government relations team.

The alliance includes high-tech trade associations that address domestic and international policy matters. Recently, EIA's Board of Governors approved a plan to bolster the services provided by the alliance's member associations so they can better support the U.S. technology industry. The alliance will liquidate its assets and distribute them to founding sectors, including GEIA. Among the people bringing their government relations expertise to GEIA are Susan Tonner and Nick Paliokas. Storme Street will work with GEIA in a consulting capacity.

With more than 20 years of experience in the federal policy environment, Tonner has addressed many public policy issues in federal acquisition and procurement, lobbying, compliance, and ethics policies, in addition to marketing to the government. She was elected in 2006 to head the Acquisition Reform Working Group in conjunction with her former role as director of government relations at EIA. She will continue working with the Government Procurement Relations Council, now under GEIA's auspices.

Paliokas has worked for Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) and was involved in legislative reporting and tracking for an extensive list of clients. His initial focus at GEIA will be international trade policy and other areas in support of GEIA's public policy goals.

A former vice president of EIA's Government Relations Department, Street will work as a consultant to GEIA. Her primary responsibilities will be in the areas of tax and trade policy.