Mongolia hires advocacy representation in Washington, DC

Effective January 1, 2011, the Embassy of Mongolia has hired Gage International (www.Gage.cc), a business consulting and government relations firm, as their lobbyist in Washington, DC. This is the first time the GOM has retained a lobbying firm. However, it is a common practice and many foreign embassies hire outside advisors to assist them. Gage has been engaged to help the embassy elevate the profile of Mongolia in Washington, DC.

The Gage firm recently joined the NAMBC and is eager to make contact with U.S. companies and organizations active or invested in Mongolia to assist in developing broader Congressional support for bilateral relations. Gage CEO Leo A. Giacometto will attend our AGM next month for that purpose. Giacometto previously served in various positions in the US Government and is a retired US Army Reserves Lieutenant Colonel (LTC).

As required by law, Gage has registered with the US Justice Department as a Registered Foreign Agent. Mr. AJ Rehberg, Vice President of Gage, will be the primary point of contact for the firm’s work with the embassy, (202) 657-1085, AJ@Gage.cc.  Rehberg also serves as Vice President of Public and Government Affairs for Mongolia Forward, a uranium mining venture in Mongolia.

Other members of Gage’s executive team are former three-term US Senator Conrad Burns (R-Montana), whom Gage CEO Giacometto earlier served as  Chief of Staff from 1995 to 1999 and Matt McKenna,  who was Communications director for Senator Mary Landrieu (D-Louisiana), Senator Max Cleland (D-Georgia), and Senator John Tester (D-Montana). McKenna is also former Communications Director for the William J. Clinton Foundation and is currently serving as Communications Director for former President Bill Clinton.