U.'s federal lobbyist to join private firm

Robert Canavan, the University's director of federal relations, is leaving the University to head the Washington office of the lobbying firm of S.R. Wodjack and Associates, according to a statement released last week. David Morse, assistant vice president for policy planning, said he will fill Canavan's position until a replacement can be hired. "It's a position that is a very important one and which we will have to fill," Morse said. "It's one that I have filled for seven years, so I will be able to fill-in in the interim while we're searching for a replacement." University officials said this week that Canavan will be missed, but that the University's position in Washington will not be affected by his departure. "We miss [Canavan] very much," Acting Executive Vice President John Gould said. "He was a terrific representative for us in [Washington,] D.C." Both Gould and Budget Director Stephen Golding emphasized that Canavan will continue to be an asset to the University because Wodjak also lobbies for the University. "I'm sure that [Canavan] will stay in close contact with the University," Golding said. While at the University, Canavan was involved in securing $27.5 million in federal funds for the new Institute of Advanced Science and Technology that will be built on the current site of Smith Hall and has worked on securing federal research funding, tax issues and student aid programs. Morse said that Canavan will continue to do some work for the University through Wodjak and that his new position will save him from making daily commutes between Philadelphia and Washington, D.C. "This is a great opportunity for [Canavan]," Morse said. "And [Canavan] will continue to help us with [IAST] and with other other things. It's a win for him and win for us." Morse said the University has already begun to search for a new representative and that he is certain that a suitable replacement will be found. "There are plenty of people looking around for jobs with the new administration in Washington and not all of them will get one," Morse said. "It's a good time to find someone with good political and substantive skills. We are confident that we will end up in good shape." Canavan replaces Kim Elliot, who has joined the 1995 Special Olympics World organizing committee, as manager of Wodjak's federal consulting practice. Besides the University, Wodjak's other federal clients include Hamilton Test Systems, Hill International, the National Down Syndrome Society, and Public Financial Management.

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