Telecom industry lobbyists got the brushoff from Utah Democratic Rep. Jim Matheson’s incoming chief of staff Amy Andryszak, on Thursday when she opted to abstain from a lobbyist-
sponsored event in her honor.
Formerly a lobbyist at AT&T, Andryszak is scheduled to join Matheson’s staff today.
CTIA, the United States Telecom Association, the National Cable & Telecommunications Association and several lobbyists were listed as hosts of the fete, which was billed on the invitations as “Off K Street and Up to the Hill.”
Andryszak said she made the decision to skip the party because of her new role.
Matheson is a member of the Energy and Commerce Committee, which has broad jurisdiction over telecommunications issues.
“This is something put together by my friends, and I think it’s a wonderful gesture that they wanted to host this event for me,” Andryszak said Thursday, after Roll Call first published an item on its Web site about the celebration in her honor. “Even though this is completely legal and ethical, to avoid any appearance of impropriety, I will not attend this event.”
Lindsay Angerholzer, managing partner of Sutter’s Mill Fund Raising & Strategy, Katreice Banks of AT&T and Melissa Maxfield of Comcast, among others, were listed as hosts of the event.
Angerholzer said the hosts are a collection of people who have known Andryszak for a long time.
“Amy and I have been personal friends for a long time,” Angerholzer said. “I’m just excited about her new job and wanted to have a little party to congratulate her.”
CTIA and NCTA declined to comment. AT&T and USTelecom did not return calls.
Andryszak, who has been a lobbyist at AT&T since 2007, according to Senate lobbying disclosure reports, also worked as a lobbyist for the American Osteopathic Association.
In Matheson’s office, she is replacing Stacey Alexander, who has worked for the Congressman since he entered Congress in 2001. Alexander is going to work for Elmendorf Strategies.
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