WASHINGTON, January 24, 2012 – Outgoing Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour has rejoined the preeminent Washington-based lobbying and public relations firm he co-founded more than two decades ago, since renamed BGR Group.

Barbour is one of America’s most accomplished and respected political leaders. During his nearly 40 years in the public arena, he has been a top advisor to presidents, the chairman of the Republican Party and a champion of the Gulf Coast region when it was hit by the most devastating natural disaster in U.S. history, Hurricane Katrina.

"My friend Haley Barbour has a keen political and strategic mind and I could not be happier to have him at BGR again," said Ed Rogers, chairman of BGR Group. "We’ve put together a great team of seasoned professionals for him to lead into the future."

BGR Group (www.bgrdc.com) is a bipartisan government affairs, public relations and financial advisory firm. BGR Group includes BGR Government Affairs, BGR Public Relations, BGR Capital & Trade and BGR Gabara, the company’s public affairs office in London. Its clients include major corporations, trade associations, nonprofits and foreign governments.

Barbour will also be affiliated with Butler Snow, a Jackson-based law firm, on matters involving his home state of Mississippi.

Barbour, who was term-limited, recently completed his second, four-year term as governor.  As governor, he led successful efforts to pass sweeping tort reform and helped to recruit major corporations to expand and relocate in Mississippi, including the just-opened Toyota Manufacturing facility in Northeast Mississippi.

Barbour chaired the Republican Governors Association and left with Republican Governors in 29 states. He was chairman of the Republican National Committee in 1994 when the GOP won control of both the House and Senate for the first time since 1954 – the so-called Republican Revolution. In the 1980s, he directed the Office of Political Affairs in Ronald Reagan’s White House and was a senior campaign aide to President George H.W. Bush.

Barbour also succeeded in the private sector as an advisor to corporations and governments. He started a small lobbying shop in 1991 with his friend and former White House aide Ed Rogers. The next year they were joined by Mississippian and former Bush staffer Lanny Griffith. Nine years later, a Fortune magazine survey of federal insiders declared Barbour Griffith & Rogers the most powerful lobbying firm in Washington. Today, BGR Group is a thriving public affairs, public relations and investment banking enterprise with offices in Washington and London.

"I’m thrilled to return to BGR Group to work with my friends and very capable colleagues," Barbour said. "The firm has grown and prospered since I went home to Mississippi. It’s the best in its class and I’m proud and honored to be part of it again. I also look forward being back in the private sector giving strategic and practical advice to leaders in business and government."

Career Highlights of Haley Barbour:
Governor of Mississippi (2004-2012)
Chairman of the Republican Governor's Association (June 2009-December 2010)
Vice-Chair of the Republican Governors Association (2008-June 2009)
Chairman of the Republican National Committee (1993-1997)
CEO of Barbour Griffith & Rogers (1991-2003)
Director of White House Office of Political Affairs (1985-1987)

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For More Information/Interviews Contact:

Loren Monroe, Principal, BGR Group
202/333-4936; LMonroe@bgrdc.com