Big ‘I’ Government Affairs Team: Ready for 2016

The Big “I” government affairs team is comprised of a bipartisan lobbying staff that puts its impressive credentials to good use representing independent agents and brokers on Capitol Hill.

Charles Symington, Big “I” senior vice president of external and government affairs, has headed the Capitol Hill team since 2004. He previously worked for the House Financial Services Committee, where he served as senior counsel and focused on insurance issues including congressional efforts to assess state insurance regulation. The Syosset, New York native was instrumental in drafting the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act of 2002, among other bills. Before joining the Financial Services Committee, he worked as majority counsel for the House Committee on Energy & Commerce, where he concentrated on health care policy and the committee’s oversight responsibilities. Now, he heads all Big “I” government affairs programs, political and grassroots operations, and oversees communications.

Nathan Riedel, Big “I” vice president for political affairs, previously served as a member of the National Republican Congressional Committee’s finance team and worked for then U.S. Rep. John Ensign (R-Nevada), who went on to serve in the U.S. Senate. A native of Grass Valley, California, Riedel earned a bachelor’s degree at Pepperdine University. He heads InsurPac, the Big “I” political action committee, and the association’s political relations.

Jen McPhillips, Big “I” assistant vice president of federal government affairs, was recently promoted. A nine-year veteran of the Big “I” staff, she has moved up through the ranks, previously serving as senior director of federal government affairs, director of political affairs and in numerous capacities with InsurPac. The Ridgewood, New Jersey native first joined the Big “I” team in 2006 after working for Rep. Leonard Boswell (D-Iowa). McPhillips earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Providence College in Rhode Island. She primarily serves as a liaison to Democrat congressional offices and is the lead on several Big “I” legislative priorities, including the NFIP and the Federal Crop Insurance Program.

Wyatt Stewart, Big “I” senior director of federal government affairs, previously served as advisor for policy and coalitions for former House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-Virginia). Prior to his work on Capitol Hill, the Washington, D.C. native worked for the Republican Party of Virginia. Stewart earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Richmond. He primarily serves as a liaison to Republican congressional offices and is the lead on health care, terrorism insurance and tax reform.

Jennifer Webb, Big “I” federal government affairs counsel, is the newest addition the team, joining the Big “I” staff in October. A native of Leicester, New York, Webb earned a bachelor’s degree in political science and political economy from Tulane University in New Orleans and a law degree from The Catholic University of America Columbus School of Law in Washington, D.C. She also studied politics and law at the London School of Economics. Webb serves as a liaison to Democrat congressional offices and assists in formulating federal policy positions.

Wes Bissett, Big “I” outside senior counsel for government affairs, previously served as the association’s top in-house state lobbyist. As a consultant to the association, the Havre de Grace, Maryland native assists on a wide range of issues at both the state and federal level. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Wake Forest University and a law degree from the George Washington University Law School. Bissett serves as the primary Big “I” liaison to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, National Conference of Insurance Legislators and other state groups.

Margarita Tapia is Big “I” director of public affairs.