FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 11, 2024
Leading consulting firm bids fond farewell to veteran James “Jay” Hawkins as Courtney Johnson takes the helm of the healthcare practice
Washington, D.C. –– The Alpine Group – a bipartisan, bicameral consulting firm in Washington, D.C. – announced the recent retirement of James “Jay” Hawkins today following a career of more than 40 years that spanned decades on and off Capitol Hill, shaping policy debates and achieving meaningful wins. Hawkins led the firm’s healthcare policy practice.
Alpine also announced today that fellow Capitol Hill veteran and Alpine Group Principal Courtney Johnson has assumed the lead role in the practice group. Johnson, a veteran of Alpine’s healthcare practice, possesses a deep understanding of the policy and political landscape as well as the key players in Washington. The firm pointed to her professionalism and excellence in creating continuity for its clients.
Hawkins joined Alpine Group in 2004 after serving as Health Policy Advisor to Sen. Jim Jeffords (I-VT) on the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee. Prior to that role, he was Senior Legislative Assistant to Rep. Terry Bruce (D-IL) and Legislative Assistant to Rep. Jim Bates (D-CA).
"It’s with both gratitude and admiration that we celebrate the retirement of Jay Hawkins, one of Alpine’s and Washington’s top lobbyists. Our firm has been extraordinarily successful and has been made stronger by his contributions,” said Les Spivey, CEO and Managing Principal of the Alpine Group. “For two decades, Jay has worked tirelessly for our team and clients, consistently achieving success, and making all of us better at our jobs. His expertise, leadership, and unique knowledge of healthcare policy and the legislative process have brought many victories not just to clients, but patients and providers as well.”
“I am filled with gratitude reflecting on my time with The Alpine Group,” said Hawkins. “To have been part of such a talented, driven team of individuals advocating for patients, providers, and the healthcare system overall is something for which I will always be grateful. I’m proud of the victories we achieved together, for our team and our clients, both on and off Capitol Hill. As I step into this next chapter, I am excited to watch Courtney take the reins of this phenomenal team.”
Courtney Johnson oversees a diverse client portfolio and has a proven track record of successful advocacy. Over the past decade, Johnson has spearheaded and executed numerous advocacy campaigns on major healthcare legislation and assisted in the creation of a myriad of policies to streamline approval pathways for medical technologies, ensuring patients have access to opioid-reversal medications and medication-assisted therapy, supporting the medical countermeasure enterprise, ensuring patients have access to the most appropriate medical care, and more. The last two years, Johnson was recognized as a “Top Lobbyist” by The Hill.
“To say I have big shoes to fill is an understatement. Jay personifies how to do this job well, how to fight for clients and the people they represent, and how to be a great colleague,” said Johnson. “I’m grateful to Alpine for this opportunity and am confident that our amazing healthcare policy team will continue to deliver wins for our clients.”
The healthcare team also includes Principal Keenan Austin Reed, formerly Chief of Staff to Congressman Donald McEachin (D-VA), Vice President Shayne Woods, formerly a Senior Legislative Advisor to Senator Tim Scott (R-SC), and Public Policy Director Hannah Schmidt, who spent three years on Capitol Hill in various roles in the U.S. House of Representatives.
“While we bid Jay the best of luck in his retirement, we are confident and enthusiastic about the leadership transition ahead,” added Spivey. “Courtney’s time at Alpine has been marked by steadfast determination on behalf of our clients and colleagues, indepth knowledge of the healthcare system’s complexities, and a critical understanding of the inner workings of Capitol Hill. Courtney will continue to raise the bar for this team and those we represent.”
Throughout his career, Hawkins has overseen and achieved numerous policy successes, including playing a role in the creation, debate and passage of the Food and Drug Administration Modernization Act of 1997 as Health Policy Advisor to thenChairman Senator James Jeffords (I-VT) of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee. Hawkins championed initiatives to dismantle bureaucratic barriers at CMS and FDA, ensuring patient access to innovative therapies and services. His contributions extend to landmark achievements such as the Over-the-Counter Hearing Aid Act of 2017 for Bose, earning him recognition as one of the top biotech and medical device lobbyists by The Hill, a prestigious D.C.-based political and policy newspaper.
This is a year of growth for Alpine. In January, Alpine’s healthcare team expanded with the addition of Woods, formerly with Sen. Tim Scott. The firm also recently announced five promotions: Vice Presidents Lauren Bazel, Barry Brown, Michael Haywood, and Curtis Philp to Senior Vice Presidents, and Policy Director Jenny Forrest to Vice President.
The Alpine Group is consistently ranked one of the top lobbying firms in Washington, and its staff are recognized both for their policy and political expertise. Consisting of 25 professionals representing years of experience in a variety of senior political capacities, the firm provides strategic advice and implements tactics to help clients successfully navigate the halls of Congress, the White House, and federal agencies.
