Hugh Weber joins Bokorney Group.

A press release went out today noting that GOP campaign veteran Hugh Weber has joined David Bockorny in forming the Bockorny group; a one stop shop for campaign management, lobbying, and public affairs:November 20, 2006

Bockorny Group, Inc. Opens South Dakota ’s First Full-Service State and Local Firm in Sioux Falls

South Dakota natives David Bockorny and Hugh Weber are pleased to announce the opening of Bockorny Group Inc. (BGI) State and Local, South Dakota ’s first full-service public affairs, government advocacy and political management firm.

“We are very pleased to open the first branch of our State and Local operations here in South Dakota . As South Dakota natives, Hugh Weber and I have a strong commitment to ensuring that this state continues to build on its record of success in economic development, education and agriculture.” said David Bockorny, CEO of Bockorny Group, Inc. “While based in Sioux Falls--the economic engine of the region--the Bockorny Group State and Local practice will endeavor to serve clients in all parts of South Dakota and the Upper Midwest. We recognize the diversity of our great state and the strength that comes from Eastern South Dakota, the James River Valley , our beautiful West River and Black Hills regions.”

“David Bockorny and the Bockorny Group’s federal practice bring a wealth of experience and resources to the table for our state and local efforts. BGI State and Local seeks to capitalize on this reputation and record of success to the benefit of our clients and the people of this state,” said Hugh Weber , Senior Vice President of Bockorny Group, Inc, and COO of the Sioux Falls operations. “With unparalleled expertise in critical areas of public policy and political strategy, we can provide our clients with the knowledge and credentials to influence policy from the Mayor’s office to the Oval Office. Never before has a state and local public affairs practice started with such a solid foundation.”

“Lobbying and Government Advocacy have moved beyond simply tracking and monitoring of bills during session. Bockorny Group State and Local intends to represent a very limited number of clients during the legislative session to ensure that we can fully integrate our efforts with our clients’ interests. By keeping our portfolio to 4 or 5 clients, we can have a much broader impact on our clients’ behalf in state and local government, statewide and local ballot initiatives, crisis management, and strategic business plans that assist in the complex intersection of public and private sector efforts,” Weber said. “We look forward to assisting South Dakota companies that do business in the maze of state, local, federal and other jurisdictions as well as those out of state clients who are looking for opportunities to come to South Dakota and do business in our great state. With this goal, we plan to work on behalf of a few organizations who represent the greatest opportunities for the people of this state.”

“It’s an honor to be opening the first firm of its kind here in our homestate of South Dakota , “said Weber. “With their continued growth and commitment to progress, Sioux Falls is the ideal place to start this practice.”

Bockorny and Weber bring a wealth of personal experience to the firm. A graduate of Woonsocket High School , Bockorny began his Washington career by serving as a legislative aide to Congressman, and later Senator James Abdnor. He also served as a key member of President Reagan’s White House Legislative Affairs Staff. His tenure as the leader of the Bockorny Group has involved him in virtually every major industry and political battle in Congress over the past 20 years. The Hill, a leading newspaper with the largest circulation of any Capitol Hill publication has consistently named Mr. Bockorny among the top “ K Street ” lobbyists - a designation determined through direct acknowledgments by Members of Congress, key aides and other lobbyists. Bockorny received a B.S. degree cum laude from Dakota State College and a Masters of Business Administration from the University of South Dakota . He was recognized as one of the 27 most outstanding students to receive a degree during the first 100 years of operation of the South Dakota higher Education system. Bockorny serves on the board of the Dakota State University Foundation and has a 30 year history of involvement in South Dakota Higher Education. BGI State and Local intends to utilize this experience on behalf of our state’s colleges and universities as they seek new sources of funding to address the challenges of the 21st century.

A native of Milbank, Clark and Watertown , Weber’s career began in South Dakota ’s Office of Economic Development where he was a Regional Representative for the Governor. He later was appointed by President Bush to serve in the Department of Agriculture’s Rural Development Agency. In 2004, Weber served as National Political Education Director on the President’s national campaign team at the Republican National Committee. Weber has provided strategic political consulting in over 25 states and to several international parties. Most recently, he provided general consulting and strategic messaging for Mayor Munson’s upset re-election and Governor Rounds re-election campaign. Weber graduated from Swarthmore College and holds a master’s degree from George Washington University ’s Graduate School of Political Management where he focused in Campaign Management and Strategic Message Development. Weber’s involvement in state and local campaigns brings unique insights into the leadership and key committees of SD legislature as well as senior members of the Administration.

Monica Larsen has also joined the Bockorny Group as Executive Assistant to the CEO and will be based out of the Sioux Falls office. Larson attended Washington High School in Sioux Falls and the University of South Dakota . She was previously a member of Senator John Thune’s 2004 campaign team and Staff Assistant in Thune’s Washington D.C. Senate office.

Based out of Sioux Falls , BGI State and Local stands ready to meet the needs of clients both in the communities where they operate and in Pierre and Washington , DC where they are regulated. Through long-term partnerships with Mayors, City Councils, County Commissions, Governors, Congress and senior Presidential Administration officials, BGI State and Local partners with its federal office to ensure that our state and federal partnerships are leveraged for each client’s specific needs.

Bockorny Group State and Local is a branch of Bockorny Group, Inc, a Washington DC-based federal practice. Listed as one of Washington , D.C. ’s, leading bipartisan government affairs consulting firms, it includes principals with extensive House, Senate, and White House experience. South Dakota clients of The Bockorny Group at the federal office include the Broin Companies, a leader in ethanol production; an agriculture coalition supporting the growth of Dakota Minnesota & Eastern Railroad; the South Dakota Corn Growers Association; and Sioux Valley Health Systems.