WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today the U.S. Chamber of Commerce announced the hiring of pro-business advocate and veteran political operative Stephen Waguespack as Special Counsel. In this capacity, he will partner with the Chamber’s leadership team on special projects related to his areas of expertise, which include energy, insurance, legal reform, workforce development, small business issues, and state-level advocacy.
Suzanne P. Clark, President and CEO of the U.S. Chamber, said, “Stephen is joining the Chamber at a very important time for the American business community and the nation overall. His legal, policy, and grassroots expertise and relationships on Capitol Hill, in the states, and with some of America’s biggest and smallest companies, are a tremendous asset. We look forward to his counsel as we promote and protect a pro-growth economic environment that allows businesses to do what they do best – serve customers, solve problems, and advance society.”
Neil Bradley, the Chamber’s Executive Vice President and Chief Policy Officer, said, “Stephen has a well-earned reputation for his policy and political acumen and has been a trusted ally to advocates for free enterprise in Louisiana, Washington, D.C., and across the country. Employers are facing an unprecedented regulatory onslaught, attempts at all levels of government to micromanage business decisions, record levels of policy uncertainty, and growing threats from the trial bar and union bosses. My colleagues and I could not be more pleased that he is bringing his expertise to the Chamber as we fight back to defend the American free enterprise system.”
Prior to joining the Chamber, Waguespack led the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry for ten years as its president and CEO. LABI is the largest and most effective business advocacy group in the state and is the State Chamber of Commerce and State Manufacturer Association.
He also served on the staff of U.S. Representative Joe Barton (R-TX) and worked as a policy director, executive counsel, and chief of staff on both the campaign and in the administration of former Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal. Waguespack also was an attorney at Jones Walker LLP, a Vice President for the Alpine Group in Washington, D.C., and most recently ran as a Republican candidate for Governor of Louisiana.
Waguespack received a J.D. from The Catholic University of America Columbus School of Law and a bachelor’s degree in mass communication from Louisiana State University.
