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McGuireWoods Consulting has added UnitedHealth Group executive Ryan Pierini, a former lead-lobbyist for Southern California Edison and a senior staffer for several California legislators, as a senior vice president. He will be based in Sacramento, and focused on legislative, regulatory, and procurement related issues with California state and local governments.
Pierini joins McGuireWoods Consulting from UnitedHealth Group, a Fortune Six company, where he worked as vice president of external affairs covering the California and Hawaii markets.
Pierini directed UHG’s governmental engagement strategies at both the state and local level, where he supported UnitedHealthcare and Optum in identifying and developing business growth strategies. He played an instrumental role in negotiating a multibillion-dollar Managed Care Organization tax that will support the largest Medi-Cal rate increase in California history for providers, ensuring greater access to affordable, high-quality healthcare for millions of Californians.
Prior to that, he served as the lead lobbyist for Southern California Edison, one of the largest electric utilities in the country, navigating complex legislative issues pertaining to nuclear decommissioning, electric vehicle infrastructure, state emissions targets via the cap-and-trade program, amongst several others energy related issues. Notably, Pierini played a key role in SCE’s reaction to the California wildfire crisis of 2017, helping to secure legislation needed to ensure SCE’s ongoing financial solvency.
“Ryan has been at the forefront of developing healthcare and energy policy in California. Through his work he has shown a keen understanding of how to navigate the complex intersection of policy and business, helping to create positive outcomes for clients and legislators. We are thrilled to have Ryan join our team and help expand the firm’s west coast footprint,” said Breelyn Pete, senior vice president and director of the firm’s California government relations team.
“Ryan has a keen understanding of how government and business work. That is an important attribute for a government consultant. As a key figure in healthcare and energy in California and with deep experience working with government officials in Sacramento, Ryan brings great value to current and future McGuireWoods Consulting clients,” said former South Carolina Gov. Jim Hodges, president of McGuireWoods Consulting.
McGuireWoods Consulting Chairman Mark Bowles echoed Gov. Hodges: “MWC is proud of our ability to attract top talent to our firm. Ryan fits this description perfectly. He has been at the center of policy making in California government and will be a great benefit to our clients and our California team. Having a lobbying presence in Sacramento is a major milestone for MWC, and we’re thrilled to have Ryan helping to lead our California growth.”
Prior to his work in the private sector, Pierini served as legislative director for Assembly Majority Leader Ian Calderon (D-Whittier); legislative aide for California State Assemblymember Bill Quirk (D-Heyward); legislative aide California State Senator Christine Kehoe (D-San Diego); and field director for Rudy Salas for Assembly in 2014.
Pierini received a B.A. from California State University, Sacramento where he played on the Men’s Division 1 Soccer Team.
