The Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO) has announced that long-time Majority Staff Director of the House Energy and Commerce Committee Dr. Gary Andres will be joining BIO as senior executive vice president of Public Affairs.

“I am delighted to have Gary join the BIO team. He brings a wealth of experiences and skills to this critical advocacy position. Gary has a deep understanding of Washington, Congress, the White House and our industry. BIO’s executive leadership team and the BIO Board of Directors look forward to Gary helping us improve the public policy environment for continued innovation,” said Jim Greenwood, president & CEO of BIO.

As Staff Director of the Energy & Commerce Committee, Dr. Andres managed a staff of nearly 70 people and oversaw a $7 million budget. His role included oversight of legislative policy development and strategic communications for all areas of the Committee’s jurisdiction—including healthcare, energy and environmental policy, consumer safety and cyber-security.

Prior to joining the Committee, Dr. Andres served Presidents George H.W. Bush and George W. Bush as Deputy Assistant to the President for Legislative Affairs (1989-1992) and as a member of the Cabinet Confirmation team (2001).

Greenwood continued, “Gary is joining BIO at a critical time for our industry. The respect Gary commands—from both sides of the aisle—will be a tremendous asset to our organization and our industry. His experience and management skills will help us elevate our advocacy efforts and accomplish our goals – at both the federal and state level.”

Dr. Andres served several stints with Dutko Worldwide (1993-2001/2001-2010)—serving first as a partner and Vice President and then as Vice Chairman for Research, overseeing the firm’s polling and strategic communications offerings. He also served as Vice President for Washington Research at Prudential Securities and as Director of Government Relations for the former Southwestern Bell Corporation (now AT&T).

From 2002-2010, he wrote regular columns for the Washington Times and The Weekly Standard—and has been an occasional contributor to Roll Call, The Hill, Politico and National Review Online. In 2009, Andres published the book, “Lobbying Reconsidered.”