PWHD Capitol Consulting Group
Issues Management: PWHD Consulting
Accurate analysis of issues, consensus building and effective communication are the foundation for successful enterprise and public policies. Our consulting group offers clients strategic solutions that provide this foundation and ensure new opportunities.
The PWHD Capitol Consulting Group is a full service issues management and government affairs group affiliated with the Patten Wornom Hatten & Diamonstein law firm based in Newport News at 12350 Jefferson Avenue, Suite 300, Newport News, Virginia 23602. The telephone number is (757) 223-4500 and the Fax number is (757) 223-4577. Lynn Watkins is the Administrative Assistant.
The PWHD Capitol Consulting Group has offices in Newport News and at 1108 East Main Street, Suite 1108, Richmond, Virginia 23219, just one block from the Virginia State Capitol and state office buildings, which ensures convenient access to legislative, business and regulatory activities and meetings.
Our clients include local governments, non-profit and educational institutions, sports and entertainment companies, residential and commercial real estate development firms, hospitality interests, and business groups, among others.
The consulting team represents a wide range of experience, demonstrated results and distinguished associations from their years of work in Virginia’s Capitol, and in public policy and legislative processes at the local, state and national level. In addition, nationally recognized attorneys in the firm, including Robert Hatten and Donald Patten, among other distinguished partners, are easily added to the team when needed to manage the issues that matter to our clients.
Alan Diamonstein, Chairman of the PWHD Capitol Consulting Group, has an outstanding record as a former elected official representing the Virginia Peninsula for more than 30 years, and as a statewide leader in issues that have benefited every community in the Commonwealth.
As a partner in the PWHD law firm, he specializes in public policy issues and priorities, economic development law and real estate ventures. As a principal in the Consulting Group, he brings extensive knowledge of the legislative and budget process to his clients, as well as excellent working relationships with elected and appointed officials across the state and throughout the country. He is a current member of the University of Virginia Board of Visitors, and has served as chairman of the internationally recognized Mariners’ Museum in Newport News.
As a senior member of the Virginia House of Delegates, he served as the chairman of several key legislative committees, and was a budget conferee on the Appropriations Committee for many years. He is widely recognized for his support of Virginia’s college and university system and the housing industry. He served on several Presidential Commissions and led the Virginia Housing Study Commission for more than 20 years.
He has always been active in local, state and national educational, civic, arts and professional organizations. Past and present affiliations include the Board of Trustees for the Sarah Bonwell Hudgins Foundation, an advocacy organization for mental health and disabilities issues; the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority; the Board of the Pamela Harriman Foreign Service Fellowship; and are a Life Member of the Virginia Jaycees.
A native and resident of Newport News, Virginia, he attended the University of Virginia, and, after completing a tour with the U.S. Air Force, received his B.S. degree in commerce. He earned his law degree at the University of Virginia Law School.
He received an Honorary Doctor of Laws degree from Christopher Newport University and an Honorary Doctor of Laws degree from the College of William and Mary. He is married to Beverly Hicks Diamonstein and they live in Newport News. You may reach Alan at (757) 223-4500 or adiamonstein@pwhd.com
Chris Bridge, President of the PWHD Capitol Consulting Group, specializes in public policy advocacy, media relations and legislative issues management. She coordinates strategic alliances with individuals and organizations offering expanded capabilities for multi-media communications services, business development services, grassroots campaigns and special events management.
She has more than 20 years of experience in these areas at federal, state and local levels. She has effective working relationships with legislators and legislative staff, as well as state and local agencies and organizations. She is knowledgeable about regulatory and permit processes, the legislative and budget process of state and local government, especially as they affect the areas of Richmond and Hampton Roads.
Her experience includes serving as legislative director for Virginia's railroads; as Executive Assistant for Communications for Virginia Governor Jerry Baliles; as state director and constituent services manager for U.S. Senator Chuck Robb, with five offices in Virginia; as legislative liaison for several local governments and institutions, and as a senior staff advisor for housing and community development programs in Hampton Roads. She staffed Governor Baliles during his tenure as Chairman of the National Governors' Association, and also managed media relations during several international trade missions led by Governor Baliles and involving more than a dozen Virginia business leaders. She has been an advisor on policy initiatives and issues advocacy for several governors and mayors since then.
A native of Norfolk, Virginia, she is a cum laude graduate of the State University of New York at Stony Brook, attended graduate classes at Old Dominion University, and serves on a number of boards for civic, professional and non-profit organizations. She lives with her husband, Wayne Taylor, in New Kent County, Virginia. You may reach Chris at (757) 871-8141 or cbridge@pwhd.com
Laura Bateman, Director of Government Affairs for the PWHD Capitol Consulting Group, has a record of effectiveness in legislative affairs, with an emphasis on energy issues and regulatory matters, having previously served as Vice President of Public Affairs for Columbia Gas of Virginia. Her business background also includes nine years as the managing partner of two small businesses in Key West, Florida. She is an effective public speaker and has a working knowledge of media relations, account management and grassroots communication.
Her record in legislative and issues management includes development of an integrated and successful approach to regulatory processes, government relations, customer contact and outreach for energy companies. She also provided leadership in the successful effort to re-write the Code of Virginia to allow the expansion of alternative fuel vehicles, including tax incentives, revolving loan funds for municipalities, and the use of HOV lanes.
In addition, Laura was appointed by two Governors to serve as the first representative from the natural gas industry on the Virginia Coal and Energy Commission. Virginia’s legislative leadership on coal methane issues was a template for other states, and the federal government, focusing on ways to maximize the effective use of natural gas through administrative, environmental and financial relationships between two domestic energy sources.
Advancing her energy industry experience, Laura was elected twice to serve as president of the Virginia Oil and Gas Association by its Board. She is also the former Chair of the Virginia Underground Utility Protection Service, and former Board member of the Thomas Jefferson Institute of Public Policy.
She is a current Board member of Virginians for Integrity in Government, a non-profit educational organization that identifies, but does not advocate, important public policy issues. VIG also sponsors My Political Hero essay contest that encourages high school students to pay tribute to their living political heroes and heroines and awards post-secondary scholarships.
Earlier in her career, Laura was appointed by President Reagan to a staff position with the Chairman of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission in Washington, D.C. During that time, she served as the White House Liaison Officer for FERC, had clearance on security matters, and was involved in working with the energy industry and the FERC on the deregulation of the U.S. natural gas industry.
Laura brings 22 years of public policy and government relations experience to the firm. A native of Newport News, Virginia, Laura is a graduate of Randolph-Macon Woman’s College and also attended the Wharton Executive Development Program in Philadelphia. She lives in the Fan District in Richmond, where she is involved in numerous civic organizations. You may reach Laura at (804) 405-5643 or lbateman@pwhd.com
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