Portfolio Approach

Lighthouse’s unique added value is our ability to assist executives in managing both an internal and external approach to achieving priority objectives in legislative and regulatory arenas, as follows:

  • Strengthening organizational frameworks to assure desired outcomes
  • Designing and deploying effective political advocacy programs
  • Building an integrated communications platform for achieving policy objectives with media/message strategies

Consistent with this approach we have developed three focused practice areas:

CEO, C-Suite & Board Advisory Services

For our CEO clients, it is rare to find a confidential coach/advisor with in-depth energy industry expertise, Board room experience and a prominent profile in the public policy world. Merribel Ayres has filled that role for several CEO’s and their leadership teams, drawing from the breadth of her background in all these areas.

She helps these clients navigate relationships with key internal and external stakeholders, design and deploy communication campaigns, integrate business operations with government affairs/regulatory initiatives, and manage internal conflicts over competing business and policy goals.

One of her CEO electric sector clients calls her his “Consigliere, a coach who understands corporate strategy!” Another tells his senior staff to take advantage of her expertise as a “working Board member.”

In addition, Ms. Ayres’ knowledge at federal/state political matters, combined with in-depth experience in communications and stakeholder management, enables her to provide a critical perspective for Corporate Boards, both as an adviser and Director. Her Board service has focused on political risk management, corporate strategy, external affairs and sustainability strategies.

Having worked in the energy sector for 26 years, Ms. Ayres can also support clients by identifying and pursuing prospective commercial opportunities and partnerships, particularly at the most senior levels of the energy organizations. Her experience with entities on virtually every side of the technology equation enables her to assist clients with creative pairings of business interests.

Similarly, over the years Lighthouse has developed an expertise in assisting clients with Organizational Alignment challenges, through a tool called the Government/External Affairs Assessment (GAA). The Assessment helps clients align competing and conflicting priorities across business units or regional global perspectives. Most importantly, it turns turf battles into teamwork!

 

Public Policy: Managing Risks & Shaping Opportunities

We work with your management team on an evaluation of priority public policy and political issues to help you determine the potential impact of both risks and opportunities on your business.  Our wealth of experience in the energy and environmental fields—combined with our ability to work in a bipartisan manner at all levels of government—results in a highly effective approach to managing advocacy campaigns.

In order to be successful in achieving client policy objectives, we also maintain strong ties with:

  • Senior levels of management across the energy industry
  • Leading stakeholder interests
  • Trade associations, advocacy groups, coalitions, and national Think Tanks.

We help our clients articulate and advance their interests with Congress, the White House, leading federal regulatory agencies and stakeholder groups.  Below are examples of the many entities we have worked with.

  • US Congress (Senate and House)
  • Council on Environmental Quality
  • Department of Agriculture
  • Department of Energy
  • Department of the Interior
  • Environmental Protection Agency
  • Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
  • US Trade Representative
  • The White House
  • Leading National Environment and Consumer Groups
  • Leading National Media Outlets

Please visit our client list on the site to view a comprehensive list of domestic and international firms/organizations that have used our skills in this area.

Profile Development & Management

For our international clients in particular, Lighthouse helps build and manage the company profile to assure that their business is a well-respected and, therefore, a welcomed entity when planning an investment in the US energy sector.

Overseas investors typically (and wisely!) hire investment banks and law firms—essential to identifying and managing the financial and legal mechanics of a US acquisition—but they don’t always appreciate the need for an equally expert public affairs and political outreach team. This is an omission that can easily put the entire investment at risk. Your competitors will always tell your story if you don’t!

At Lighthouse, we help our international clients define their narrative and gain policy makers’ trust in their commitment to investing in the US economy. We do this by customizing a profile-development campaign to suit your needs.

In addition, as part of managing your business risk, we ensure you access to first-hand, reliable information in the policy and political arena—critical to making sound investment decisions.

We have an excellent track record of working with international firms—please visit Our Client section to learn more.

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"We came to Lighthouse in need of a utility outreach strategy and sound public policy advice. A year later, we had developed a portfolio of important industry/stakeholder relationships and public policy opportunities that are key to driving the future of distributed generation in the US."

– Major Power Sector Equipment Supplier