“I want to… do everything we can do to continue to improve education, economic development, all the things that we’ve been doing for the last 14 years,” Riley said at the time. Since then, the Rileys have lobbied on behalf of aerospace giant Airbus, a group of cement companies, and a host of other clients.
This week, as the legislature heads into its 2014 session, Riley & Associates have hired longtime governmental affairs pro J. Danny Cooper to head up a new Montgomery office.
Cooper was executive vice president of the Alabama Association of Realtors from 1990 until October 2012. His prior political experience includes a stint as executive director of the state Republican party and a role as Alabama campaign manager for President Ronald Reagan’s 1980 race. He’s also on the University of Montevallo Board of Trustees, a post that Gov. Riley appointed him to in 2008.
“Governor Riley and I have been friends for many years and I appreciate this opportunity to do what I’ve done for decades,” Cooper told Yellowhammer. “I’m looking forward to lobbying and consulting as we continue making a difference in Alabama. Having an office in Montgomery opens doors for us to do even more. Our commitment to smaller government and conservative values guides Bob Riley and Associates as we work with others to improve and promote Alabama.”
Cooper declined to get into specifics about what issues Riley & Associates will engage on this session, but said they “will continue helping in any way possible with promoting measures that will strengthen Alabama’s economy, add jobs to the economy and enhance the state’s educational instruction for our children.”
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