Former Congressman and Financial Services Roundtable Chief Steve Bartlett Joins LEVICK

WASHINGTON, Jan. 15, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- LEVICK, a leading crisis and public affairs agency, today announced that former Financial Services Roundtable CEO Steve Bartlett has joined the firm as Strategic Policy Adviser. Steve spent twelve years as the Roundtable's top advocate on behalf of the nation's major financial institutions.

A former U.S. Congressman and Mayor of Dallas, Mr. Bartlett's skills and experience have extraordinary relevance to LEVICK's clientele at a time when the power lines of Washington, DC, Wall Street, and Main Street have converged to such an unprecedented extent.

"It's an extraordinary time to be joining a great communications firm. With today's accelerated impact of global communications, organizations of all types now have the capacity to drive the narrative about themselves and the issues vital to them," Mr. Bartlett said. "The opportunity to do so is all the more critical as public confidence in our business institutions continues to be tested.

"The professionals at LEVICK are the best in the business at helping their clients build trust," added Mr. Bartlett. "I am deeply honored by LEVICK's confidence in me, and energized by their commitment and sense of mission."

"We are thrilled to have Steve join the firm," LEVICK CEO Richard Levick said. "There are few professionals like Steve who so intimately understand how Washington works and have such a significant track record with business.

"His broad background as Congressman, Mayor, CEO of a major trade association, and businessman is of inestimable value for LEVICK clients," added Mr. Levick. "He knows his way around the corridors of power where public policy is made."

In addition to the financial services, Mr. Bartlett's expertise and leadership encompass a range of other industries and issues directly related to LEVICK's core clientele, including: disability rights, energy, healthcare, labor, manufacturing, humanitarian causes, and real estate.

Mr. Bartlett's leadership of the Financial Services Roundtable from 1999 to 2012 resulted in financial modernization; HOPE NOW with its six million mortgage modifications; Class Action Reform; stronger capital standards; identity theft protection; higher levels of retirement security; and reform of the Fair Credit Reporting Act. Mr. Bartlett helped create and led the premier organization of 100 of the largest financial services corporations in America.

A four-term U.S. Congressman who represented the Dallas area prior to serving as that city's mayor, Mr. Bartlett is currently an independent Director for Ares Capital Corporation (ARCC) and sits on the U.S. Advisory Board of Alexander Proudfoot. He previously served on four Boards of Directors of NYSE-listed companies: Centene Corporation, IMCO Recycling, KB Home Corporation, and Sun Coast Industries – as well as on the Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport board.

While a member of Congress from 1983 to 1991, Mr. Bartlett authored or was principal co-sponsor of 18 major pieces of federal legislation. In 1990, he was the principal Republican co-sponsor of the historic Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Among other laws, he played a key role in the enactment of the Enhanced Secondary Mortgage Market Act, Fair Labor Standards Act Reforms, FHA Deregulation, and the East Texas Wilderness Act.

Subsequently, as Mayor of Dallas from 1991 to 1995, Mr. Bartlett spearheaded a major economic turnaround and a reduction violent crime by 40%.

Mr. Bartlett has served as an adjunct professor at the University Of Texas Lyndon B. Johnson School Of Public Affairs. He was Chair of Easter Seals of Greater Washington D.C. and a member of the U.S.-Muslim Engagement Council, BIPAC, the Boards of Institute for Legal Reform, Dallas Can!, Grace Presbyterian Village, Character Counts of Dallas, and Trinity Trails. He was also a member of the President's Commission on Excellence in Special Education.

LEVICK is a global crisis, financial, and public affairs communications agency representing companies and countries in the highest-stakes engagements. Learn more at www.levick.com.

SOURCE LEVICK