Hill veteran joins RILA as its top lobbyist

Arlington, Va. -- The Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA) announced that Jennifer Safavian has joined the association as executive VP for government affairs, effective Jan. 5. As RILA’s top lobbyist, Safavian will oversee RILA’s federal and state advocacy, guiding an agenda that includes cyber security, e-Fairness, tax reform and other critical issues facing the retail industry.



Safavian brings nearly 20 years of experience on Capitol Hill to her new role. She joins RILA after four years in senior leadership positions on the House Ways and Means Committee, including serving for the past three years as the committee’s staff director. In that role, she managed a staff of more than 50 lawyers, analysts and subcommittee staff, and oversaw the development of policy related to a range of high profile issues, including tax, trade and health care.



Safavian has been named by the National Law Journal as one of the “Top 10 Lawyers on Capitol Hill” and as one of Roll Call’s “Fabulous 50” Top Congressional Staff Members.



Prior to joining the Ways and Means Committee, Safavian spent eight years as Chief Counsel for Oversight and Investigations for the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. In this position, Safavian led a team of 20 attorneys that made up the oversight and investigations team for the Committee with primary investigative authority in the U.S. House of Representatives.



“Jennifer's extensive experience in policy development combined with her leadership skills position her well to provide RILA members an exceptional level of expertise and strategic thinking,” said RILA president Sandy Kennedy. “With a deep understanding of the issues critical to retail, Jennifer will be a strong advocate for the industry and a valuable addition to the RILA team.”