Lobbying World: DHS alum joins Cornerstone

Cornerstone Government Affairs has hired Lauren Tomlinson, former deputy assistant secretary for public affairs at the Department of Homeland Security, as a principal on the firm’s public affairs team. Tomlinson joins after co-founding the national security-focused public affairs firm Steer PR and running her company, Claffey Communication.

Yoni Gedan has joined LSG as a partner. Gedan was most recently global head of research at Zeno Group.

Eric Johnston is joining Comcast as executive director of strategic affairs for the public policy and digital equity teams in the company’s DC office. Johnston most recently led the federal government affairs team for Marriott International.

The American Beverage Association is adding Allison Starmann as general counsel and executive vice president for legal and regulatory affairs. Starmann previously spent 14 years at the American Chemistry Council, most recently as general counsel, according to her LinkedIn.

The Federation of American Hospitals (FAH) has added Hannah Hurley as vice president of communications and Geoff Werth as vice president of government relations.

Hurley was most recently deputy chief of staff for communications for Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (I-Ariz.) and was previously press secretary for Senate Majority PAC during the 2018 election cycle. Werth was previously a policy advisor to former House Minority Leader Richard Gephardt (D-Mo.) and a senior advisor to former Rep. Bart Stupak (D-Mich.).