Merrill Lynch has appointed Steven K. Berry head of Government Relations for the firm.
Berry will report to Margaret D. Tutwiler, senior vice president and head of Communications & Public Affairs.
Berry brings more than 30 years of experience in the public and private sectors, most recently serving as executive vice president of government affairs and corporate responsibility for the Direct Marketing Association.
A seasoned lawyer, Berry previously held positions as senior vice president of government relations for the National Cable & Telecommunications Association, senior vice president of government affairs for the Cellular Telephone Industry Association and partner in the law firm of Holland & Knight. Berry fills the position left vacant by the retirement of Bruce Thompson.
“I am very pleased to welcome Steven K. Berry to Merrill Lynch. He brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in all facets of government relations,” says John A. Thain, chairman and CEO, Merrill Lynch.
In addition to his private sector experience, Berry has served extensively in the public sector. Most recently, he served on the presidential bipartisan commission appointed to review all US foreign assistance programs. He began his government career as associate counsel on the House Agriculture Committee and later became chief of staff to the Ranking Member of the Agriculture Committee.
He went on to serve in many key positions during his government career, including: counsel for the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, Republican chief of staff for the House Foreign Affairs Committee, assistant secretary of state for legislative affairs at the US Department of State and chief counsel and director of international operations and European affairs for the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
Berry, a member of the Virginia bar, holds a bachelor’s degree from Emory & Henry College and a juris doctorate from George Mason University Law School.