Arent Fox Expands Government Relations Team with Addition of Senior Government Relations Director Oliver Spurgeon III

Mr. Spurgeon joins the firm’s Washington, DC office and will leverage his experience on Capitol Hill and within advocacy organizations to advise firm clients and advocate on a wide range of public policy issues.

“Oliver is a welcome addition to Arent Fox as we continue to strengthen our Government Relations capabilities,” said Firmwide Managing Partner Cristina A. Carvalho. “His experience in health policy, tax, and other domestic policy issues will help our clients succeed in making their case before Congress, the Executive Branch, and the District of Columbia.”

Prior to joining Arent Fox, Mr. Spurgeon was the Deputy Director of Federal Affairs at the National Association of Community Health Centers. At NACHC, Mr. Spurgeon advised the c-suite, board of directors, and 11,000 health centers on strategy, policy analysis, and advocacy issues to help secure $7.9 billion in federal funding that reached 28 million people. In addition, Mr. Spurgeon fostered relationships with elected officials and administrators, while partnering with key stakeholders to align strategic messaging, advocacy, and crisis communication on evolving state and federal policy developments from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, including the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Federal Drug Administration, and Health Resources and Services Administration. 

“We are happy to add Oliver to our team since he brings first-rate insight into Congress and federal agencies,” said Government Relations Practice Co-Leader Dan H. Renberg. “I’ve had the pleasure of lobbying alongside Oliver and know that he is highly regarded on Capitol Hill and among key stakeholders, especially on issues such as Medicaid, 340B, Medicare, and HHS Appropriations. Our clients will also benefit from his experience on tax policy, including private activity bonds, health savings accounts, and employee fringe benefits.”

Before joining NACHC, Mr. Spurgeon was the Manager of Government Affairs at the National Recreation and Park Association. In that role, he also supported the c-suite and board of directors in executing an $18 million budget to serve 50,000 members, evaluated federal and state health care regulations and legislation, and led NRPA in finding solutions to reduce hunger and improve health.

Prior to his association lobbying experiences, Mr. Spurgeon served for five years on the Washington, DC staff of Rep. Hank Johnson (D-GA), where he covered health policy, tax, education, and other issues. He spent two years in the Congressman’s Atlanta-area office, where he was the liaison to municipal governments, colleges and universities, the business community, and other stakeholders. 

Mr. Spurgeon is an active member of the D.C. community, serving on the board of directors and human resources committee for the United Planning Organization, the board of directors and as acting treasurer for the DC Strings Workshop, the board of directors and as acting secretary for the Historic Anacostia Block Association, and executive committee member and acting legislative committee chairman for the Ward 8 Democratic Party. He earned his MBA from Howard University and his BA in International Studies from Georgia Southern University.

The Government Relations practice at Arent Fox is one of the most experienced, effective, and respected lobbying teams in the nation. The group is both bipartisan and bicameral and features former U.S. Senator Byron Dorgan (D-ND) and former U.S. Representative Phil English (R-PA), among other former agency officials and senior Congressional staff.