A founding partner of one of K Street's most successful lobbying shops, Ed Gillespie -- who was also chairman of the Republican National Committee and was a counselor to President Bush -- announced today the formation of Ed Gillespie Strategies. The consulting firm will provide high-level strategy and communications-related advice to companies, CEOs, coalitions and trade associations.

"I wanted to focus on communications and strategic planning," Gillespie says. "It's my first love and I have a lot of experience in knowing how to get from point A to point B."

Most recently, Gillespie served in the White House during the last 18 months of the Bush presidency. Previously he was a principal at Quinn Gillespie & Associates, the lobbying firm he started with Jack Quinn, a White House counsel for President Clinton. Judging by revenue, Quinn Gillespie ranked ninth among Washington lobbying firms in 2008.

Gillespie says he will not be lobbying in his new role. He says he'll have more will time to spend with his family and be involved with the Virginia governor's race. Gillespie volunteers as general chairman for Republican gubernatorial candidate Bob McDonnell.

Services of the firm will include strategic planning, message development and communications strategy, hearing and interview preparation, crisis and reputation management, and coalition organization and oversight.

                                                                                                              -- Eliza Krigman