FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 13, 2025
Experienced Tax and Government Affairs Leader Joins a Top D.C. Lobbying Group as Vice President, Providing Expertise Ahead of the Expected “Tax Super Bowl.”
Washington, D.C. –– The Alpine Group, a bipartisan, bicameral consulting firm in Washington, D.C., announced today that Colin Brainard will be joining the firm’s tax practice as Vice President. This addition comes at a critical time in Washington and for Alpine’s clients. Many are expecting the “Super Bowl” of tax debates in 2025, with the incoming Trump administration and the new Congress expected to focus on renewing expiring tax credits passed into law during the first Trump administration, especially with many provisions from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (TCJA) set to expire. This law was one of the signature accomplishments of the first Trump term, cost nearly $5 trillion, and impacts corporations, individuals, and sectors across the American economy. Brainard will play a key role for Alpine clients as they navigate this pivotal moment.
Prior to joining Alpine, Brainard served as Director of Federal Government Affairs for Walmart, a Fortune #1 company. He also held various tax-related roles on Capitol Hill for more than a decade. In the House of Representatives, Brainard was a senior tax staffer for Representatives Lynn Jenkins, CPA (KS-02), and former Representative Erik Paulsen (MN-03), where he contributed significantly to the passage and implementation of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA).
Brainard also served as Chief of Staff to former Representative Steve Watkins (KS-02) and as Executive Director of the Joint Economic Committee under former Representative Erik Paulsen (MN-03). In his role at Walmart, he led federal advocacy efforts on tax, health, and benefits issues and partnered with the enterprise tax department to drive successful lobbying efforts during the debate and enactment of the Inflation Reduction Act.
“Colin’s deep understanding of tax policy and its legislative intricacies makes him uniquely positioned to guide Alpine’s clients through high-stakes discussions around tax reform, capturing key details and staying ahead of legislative shifts,” said Keenan Austin Reed, CEO and Managing Principal of The Alpine Group. “His expertise across both public and private sector environments also provides a unique perspective on how tax policy impacts businesses and individuals. We are confident that his addition will further strengthen our practice as we enter a critical year in Washington.”
“We are thrilled to welcome Colin to our team,” said Les Spivey, President of The Alpine Group. “His impressive background, particularly his leadership in the successful efforts around the TCJA, brings invaluable expertise to our tax practice at a critical time. His experience navigating the most significant tax legislation in recent history will be a tremendous asset to our clients and our colleagues as we look ahead to the consequential moments we know are coming this year in Washington.”
Brainard began his career with Senator Richard Burr (R-NC) and later served as Director of Federal Affairs at the National Association of Chain Drug Stores, where he successfully advanced legislative proposals into law.
Contact: Adam Abrams; Adam@SevenLetter.com; (202) 331-0110
The Alpine Group is consistently ranked as one of the top lobbying firms in Washington, and its staff are recognized for both their policy and political expertise. With a team of 25 professionals bringing years of experience across a range of senior political roles, the firm provides strategic advice and implements tactics to help clients successfully navigate Congress, the White House, and federal agencies.
