|
|
 |
|
|
| |
|
October 28, 2009 |
|
| |
| |
 |
| |
|
This Morning's
New Washington
|
|
| |
| Almost 400 of you joined us at the Reagan Building this morning for the fifth installment of our New Washington series: “Is K Street the New Wall Street?” Turns out, our title was too specific: it’s not just K St that’s siphoned action from the Big Apple; it’s all of greater DC. |
| |
 |
|
Hey, who’s on stage getting all that attention? It’s federal stimulus czar Earl Devaney. Perhaps because he knows how much Bisnow readers support government accountability, he graced our event with a rare public appearance.
|
|
|
 |
|
As Chair of the Recovery Accountability and Transparency Board, Earl’s challenge has been nothing short of setting up an entirely new entity of government to account for every federal stimulus dollar. Earl says that about 50% of stimulus money has been allocated, 25% spent, and $275 billion slated exclusively for gov’t contracts. Earl tells us that on Nov. 3 his team will unveil a website that allows the public to track how stimulus money is being spent: “There’s going to be some embarrassment,” he said, as details of projects and payments are made fully transparent.
|
|
|
 |
|
Former Sec. of Homeland Security Michael Chertoff spoke about how defense-related technology companies can best position themselves to help the government. Michael, now of counsel at Covington & Burling and chairman of The Chertoff Group, says inventors need to “figure out what the problem is before they design a gizmo,” adding that the the gov’t needs innovative solutions for intel gathering, advance warning systems, and identity management. He also characterized America as being engaged in a battle against “the forces of disorder,” which he says come from global pockets of “ungoverned space.”
|
|
|
 |
|
Trump Org’s Eric Trump, Lazard North America Aerospace and Defense managing director Bill Farmer, and Carlyle Group co-Founder Ed Mathias. Eric says “there’s no question that Washington is going to come out ahead of the curve.” But that’s little consolation for Bill, who says he’s expecting federal defense budget cuts to force ongoing consolidation within his sector. Ed’s two cents? “In essence, the government is running a huge portion of the economy…and permeating everything we do…if you don’t have a lobbyist nowadays, you’re extraordinarily vulnerable.”
|
|
|
 |
|
Cherry, Bekaert, & Holland’s DC partner-in-charge Susan Moser interviewed former NAM Prez Jerry Jasinowski. Jerry says that the recovery itself might be another bubble. He also says that things aren’t going back to the way they used to be. The “new normal’ requires that firms embrace opportunities to export internationally, leverage technology, and work more intensively with government.
|
| |
 |
|
In the off instance that some guests remained unsure of what to do with the pearls of wisdom liberally dispensed throughout the morning, legendary Redskins Hall of Famer John Riggins wrapped things up with a stirring, athletic call to arms. The economy, much like the once-great Redskins, will rise again!
|
| |
 |
|
We snapped Citi Private Bank’s Eric Bell (center) hanging out with Greenberg Traurig’s Jim D’Agostino and Michael Thimmig. Mike, in town from Dallas, says he’s looking forward to reading the new Real Estate Bisnow newsletter that launched in his hometown. Mike tells us to be forewarned: “a year from now, people are going to be talking about how FHA home loans have become the next subprime.”
|
| |
 |
|
Future real-estate moguls assemble! Students and faculty from Georgetown’s new Masters in Real Estate program came out to support Eric, who graduated from the undergrad biz school in 2006.
|
| |
|
You can submit events here.
Send story ideas to patrick@bisnow.com
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
| |
This newsletter is a journalistic news source which accepts no payment for featured interviews. It is supported by conventional advertisers clearly identified in the right hand column. You have been selected to receive it either through prior contact or professional association. If you have received it in error, please accept our apologies and unsubscribe below. © 2009, Bisnow on Business, Inc., 1323 Connecticut Ave, NW Washington, DC 20036. All rights reserved.
|
|
|
