Dutko Strengthens Rapidly Growing Public Policy Practice by Naming Karen Tramontano and Darren Willcox as Principals : 01-13-2005 WASHINGTON, D.C. – January 13, 2005 – The Dutko Group, one of the fastest-growing public policy firms in the nation, today announced the naming of two Senior Vice Presidents, Darren Willcox, a former top aide to House Speaker Dennis Hastert, and Karen Tramontano, former Deputy Chief of Staff to President Clinton, as Dutko “Principals.” The firm also announced that Levon S. Boyagian, an experienced congressional transportation aide, has joined the Dutko team as a Vice President. These steps are the first of many that Dutko will take in 2005 to further strengthen the company’s best-in-class practices. “These moves are part of Dutko’s purposeful strategy of hiring talented people to build best-in-class capabilities across a wide range of issues and services,” said Chief Executive Officer of the Dutko Group Companies, Mark Irion. “Karen Tramontano has a strong work record of solving complex international economic issues and will continue to play a critical role in managing our rapidly expanding international business.” Irion also added, “Darren has been one of the key players on all major health issues over the past several years and provides our clients tremendous experience and insight into one of the most important issues facing Congress and the nation today.” Karen A. Tramontano serves as Managing Director of Dutko’s international practice – Dutko Global Advisors. Ms. Tramontano served as Deputy Chief of Staff to President Clinton and counselor to two Chiefs of Staff, Erskine Bowles and John Podesta. Ms. Tramontano is also the Founder and President of the Global Fairness Initiative, a non-governmental organization chaired by former President Clinton with a focus on designing and promoting international trade projects that incorporate labor and environmental standards. She currently serves as Senior Advisor to Juan Somavia, Director General of the International Labor Organization in Geneva. Darren Willcox leads The Dutko Group’s health care policy practice. Willcox brings years of experience on all health care and Social Security issues, including Medicare, Medicaid, private health insurance, FDA and public health. He previously served as one of Speaker Dennis Hastert’s (R-IL) top advisors, and was responsible for managing many of the top policy and political goals of the White House and GOP Conference. Earlier he was Chief of Staff to Congressman Porter Goss’ (R-FL) whom he served for six years. In addition to the naming of Ms. Tramontano and Mr. Willcox as Principals, Capitol Hill Transportation expert Levon S. Boyagian has joined the staff at The Dutko Group as a Vice President. Mr. Boyagian brings years of experience in congressional affairs, most recently having served as Staff Director for the Subcommittee on Highways, Transit, and Pipelines, and as Legislative Director for Representative Don Young (R-AK). During that time, he worked extensively on TEA 21 and has been an integral House strategist on the highway bill currently under consideration. Levon earned his B.A. in Political Science from Hobart College in NY. About The Dutko Group Companies The Dutko Group Companies, Inc. provides comprehensive government affairs management and strategic counsel and helps build public—private partnerships with federal, state and international levels of government. Dutko is consistently ranked as one of the “top 10 most powerful lobbying firms” in the country by FORTUNE magazine. The firm offers best-in-class expertise and service in five distinct disciplines: The Dutko Group, which has a quarter century of experience in working with both chambers of Congress, the White House, federal agencies, and national associations; Dutko State & Local, which specializes in state and local government affairs, builds partnerships at the state level on behalf of our clients to help impact public policy at the state and federal levels; Dutko Government Markets, providing strategic counsel and consulting services in accessing federal and state government markets; and Dutko Research, a public opinion research and communications firm led by Gary Andres that specializes in developing the themes, messages and communication approaches which advance our clients’ objectives. Dutko Global Advisors helps our clients build partnerships abroad in emerging market economies. For more information go to www.dutkogroup.com or call us at 202-484-4884. ### Learn more about Darren Willcox. » Learn more about Dutko's 'Transportation' Team. »