TCH GROUP RECEIVES 2010 BEST OF WASHINGTON AWARD

Firm Receives Award for Second Consecutive Year

New York, NY, March 23, 2010- For the second consecutive year, TCH Group, LLC has been selected for the Best of Washington Award in the Federal Government Relations Consulting category by the U.S. Commerce Association (USCA).

Nationwide, only 1 in 70 (1.4%) of the 2009 recipients also received the 2010 award. The USCA “Best of Local Business” Award Program recognizes outstanding local businesses throughout the country. Each year, the USCA identifies companies which have achieved exceptional success in their local community and in their business category. These are local companies that enhance the positive image of small business through service to their customers and to their community. Winners are determined based on information gathered both internally by the USCA and through third parties.

About the U.S. Commerce Association (USCA).

U.S. Commerce Association (USCA) is a New York City based organization established to recognize the best of local businesses in their community, and is an advocate for small and medium size businesses and business entrepreneurs across America.

SOURCE: US Commerce Association

January 27, 2010

Excerpted from an article entitled: “Cycling’s Risks and a Few Solutions” by Charles Pelkey

[Bicycling is] a bipartisan issue that has drawn support from all quarters. I admit, back in the days when I first started riding seriously, cyclists were pretty much a crowd of Birkenstock-wearing, mirror-on-the-helmet, tree-hugging Democrats. I still am (well, I did get rid of the mirror).

But the appeal of bicycling long ago transcended party affiliation. The House of Representatives’ Congressional Bike Caucus now boasts 182 members. The members represent both parties and come from 43 states. That’s not bad. On the Senate side, there are 16 members. I figure any time you can get Charles Schumer (D-NY), Bernie Sanders (Socialist-VT), Orrin Hatch (R-UT) and Kay Bailey Hutchinson (R-TX) all singing from the same page, you’ve got something special.

Part of the credit has to go to Bikes Belong, which probably runs the most serious cycling-related lobbying effort in Congress. The organization’s efforts have been successful with members from both parties and in both houses, due in no small part to the talents of Washington lobbyist Mike Tongour.   Tongour is an aggressive and savvy operator who spent many years as a senior legislative strategist for several top Republicans on the Hill, most recently as chief counsel to former GOP Whip of the Senate, Alan K. Simpson. Tongour’s Republican credentials go way back and he’s been quite successful in making cycling’s case to some of the most conservative members of Congress (and as a former colleague of his, I can attest that I’ve never seen Tongour in Birkenstocks or hugging a tree).

- Eddie Evans
VP of Federal Government Relations
Sanofi Aventis

- Craig Kenworthy
Conservation Director
Greater Yellowstone Coalition

His accessibility, his candor and his sense of humour have been refreshing. When I have walked the halls with Mike and attended meetings with him it is obvious that he is both well known and highly regarded.”

— Stuart R. Breidhart
Counsel
United States Ship Management, Inc.

— Christi Byerly
Manager of Government and Public Relations
COGEMA, Inc.

Their tenacity, attention to detail and responsiveness were responsible for South Carolina receiving the nation’s highest increase in return rate. We could not have asked for better representation nor greater success.”

— Tom DeLoach
Former VP of Governmental Relations
South Carolina Chamber of Commerce

I was particularly impressed that your legislative contacts were both bipartisan and bicameral. This achievement was not only a priority for Corning Incorporated—but it was personally extremely important for me. Your firm demonstrated to me that you deliver!”

— Roger G. Ackerman
Chairman & CEO
Corning Incorporated

He has a great deal of credibility on the Hill, and we felt that we received significant value from his firm’s services.”

— Mark Shriver
Vice President & Managing Director of US Programs

Before that, the North Carolinian was special assistant to Pam Womack, then the National Political Director at the Democratic National Committee. Gist is probably a rarity on Capitol Hill, holding a degree in electrical engineering from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University.”

Politico.com
September 9, 2008″