Rick Kessler

Named by The Hill as one of its 2010 Top Lobbyists, Rick kessler has more than 20 years combined legislative experience on both the federal and state level, as well as significant federal, state and local campaign experience. His unique background in policy, politics and process led The New Republic to declare that "Kessler is as fluent in the intricacies of carbon-capture technology as any energy wonk now on the Hill. And he is emblematic of the kind of lobbyist that is currently in high demand--top level Democratic staffers who can retool their arguments to fit a hands-on governing agenda."

Mr. Kessler is best known as a Democratic Professional Staff Member for the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, where he was the primary staffer to all the Democratic Committee Members on issues such as pipeline safety, cogeneration, renewables, efficiency, hydro-power, public lands, oil, gas, coal, and energy-related research, remediation and tax policy. He also served a longtime chief of staff to the Committee’s former Chairman John D. Dingell (D-MI).

As Professional Staff to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, Kessler was responsible for developing and managing strategy and materials for all legislative and oversight efforts in his areas for all Democratic Committee Members. He was a top advisor to the Energy and Commerce Committee, not only on energy issues, but also in areas such as pipeline safety, toxic waste cleanup, clean water, public lands and natural resources, and clean air. In particular, Mr. Kessler served as primary staffer to the Democratic Committee Members on numerous issues related to the Pipeline Safety Act, the Public Utilities Regulatory Policies Act, the Federal Power Act, the Natural Gas Act, the Natural Gas Policy Act, the Nuclear Waste Policy Act, Energy Policy and Conservation Act, The Northwest Power Act, Uranium Mill Tailings Radiation Control Act, the Energy Policy Act, and many others. During this time, Kessler also served as senior staff to the Democratic Energy Task Force established and run by the House Minority Leader.

Immediately prior to joining DLGS, Mr. Kessler was the Director of New Jersey Governor Jon S. Corzine’s (D) Washington, DC office. He also served as principal staffer to Governor Corzine in his role as Chairman of the National Governors Association Health and Human Services Committee. In particular, he played a major role in the development of the Governors’ policy on the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) and was a leading architect of the enactment of SCHIP shortfall funding legislation at the end of the 109th Congress.

Mr. Kessler also held the position of Associate Director of Government Affairs for Princeton University and worked as a top aide to Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee Ranking Member Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ), serving as Legislative Director and lead energy and environment staffer during Mr. Pallone’s tenure as Ranking Member of the Energy Subcommittee.  As Legislative Director, he helped establish the House Democratic Environmental Task Force.

Early in his career, Mr. Kessler developed his command of energy and environment issues in legislative positions with Senator Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ) and former Representative William J. Hughes (D-NJ) for whom he managed all Rep. Hughes’ Merchant Marine and Fisheries Committee work. He also had primary responsibility for clean air, clean water, public lands protection and energy issues for Representatives Pallone and Hughes.

Mr. Kessler is a graduate of Kenyon College and Rutgers University and also attended the University of Surrey in Guildford, UK.