| February 3, 2009 | Contact: Roy Temple (202) 997-6357 |
Former Missouri Governor Joins Cassidy
WASHINGTON — Former U.S. Representative and Cassidy CEO Marty Russo (D-IL) announced today that the firm is welcoming former Missouri Governor Matt Blunt as a senior consultant. Russo noted Governor Blunt successfully worked across party lines in the Missouri legislature involving critical issues in the state’s budget and healthcare as well as securing more than a billion new dollars for education including the largest higher education budget in his state’s history.
“He will be a strong addition to our team as Washington embraces a new spirit of post-partisanship,” Russo said. “Our clients will benefit from Governor Blunt’s result-oriented and practical leadership. As an advisor to clients, the Governor will know how the changes Washington is experiencing now at the federal level will affect the bottom lines of businesses and institutions across the country. Governor Blunt’s advice and counsel will certainly help our clients successfully manage their Washington risk as they adapt to the changing economic environment and the response on the federal, state and local levels.”
Russo also noted the strong respect Governor Blunt has earned among other governors of both parties across the country.
Blunt was elected the 54th Governor of Missouri on November 2, 2004. He carried 101 of the state's 114 counties. Prior to his election as Governor, Blunt served as Missouri's 37th Secretary of State, represented the 139th Legislative District in the Missouri House of Representatives, and worked in private business.
Upon his graduation from the United States Naval Academy in 1993, he began a naval career that has spanned 14 years, including more than five years on active duty. Governor Blunt served in Operation Support Democracy, which involved the United Nations blockade of Haiti. He also participated in the interdiction of illegal Cuban immigrants and drug interdiction missions off the coast of South America. Blunt was awarded several military commendations, including four Navy and Marine Corps Achievement medals and the Humanitarian Service Medal.
On October 9, 2001, Blunt became the first statewide elected official in the history of Missouri to be called into active military duty. He served for six months in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Commander when he returned to the United States.
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