U.S. Chamber's Engstrom Named Political Rising Star by Campaigns & Elections' <EM>Politics</EM> Magazine

U.S. Chamber's Engstrom Named Political Rising Star by Campaigns & Elections' Politics Magazine

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The U.S. Chamber of Commerce today congratulated Rob Engstrom, vice president of Political Affairs and Federation Relations, for being named a 2009 Rising Star by Campaigns & Elections' Politics magazine. Engstrom and other rising stars, age 35 and under, were given recognition for having already made a significant mark in political consulting or advocacy.

"During the recent elections, Engstrom played a critical role developing and implementing a strategy within the Chamber's federation of members to get pro-business candidates elected," said Bill Miller, senior vice president of Political Affairs and Federation Relations at the U.S. Chamber. "His analysis of the political landscape and his positioning during the races greatly benefited Chamber members. By working through its membership, Engstrom helped get 213 of the 265 Chamber-endorsed candidates elected, proving that he is a rising star in Washington."

Those recognized as rising stars will be honored on June 12 during a Campaigns & Elections- sponsored seminar, The Art of Political Campaigning. Past rising stars honored at this event include David Axelrod, Paul Begala, Donna Brazile, James Carville, Alex Castellanos, Rahm Emanuel, Ed Gillespie, Alexis Herman, Karen Hughes, Laura Ingraham, Celinda Lake, Jim Pinkerton, Ralph Reed, and George Stephanopoulos.

Prior to arriving in the Chamber's Political Affairs and Federation Relations division, Engstrom served in the Chamber's Institute for Legal Reform (ILR) as Senior Vice President for Political and State Affairs. Before joining the Chamber, he was at the Republican National Committee (RNC) from 1998 to 2002, serving as Director of Political Education. He was responsible for helping build the Republican Party at the federal, state, and local levels. Prior to the RNC, he worked with former Speaker Newt Gingrich's campaign in Roswell, Georgia.

Engstrom is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Chamber's political, grassroots, and election-related activities, as well as its legislative advocacy. Under his leadership, the division is being streamlined and revitalized to build an advocacy network one million strong. Engstrom also manages member activities for the Chamber Federation which includes thousands of state, local, and metro chambers of commerce and hundreds of trade and professional associations.

The U.S. Chamber is the world's largest business federation representing more than 3 million businesses and organizations of every size, sector, and region.

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