Cumberland Goes to Washington

By Meredith Yates

Every year, graduates leave the familiar halls of Cumberland and scatter around the globe. Equipped with their newly acquired knowledge and a different worldview, many graduates feel challenged to enter the realm of public service. These individuals are called to serve their local, state, or national communities through appointed or elected offices. The political atmosphere of Washington, D.C. is the ideal location for many of these people to make a significant difference. Here are the stories of a few of Cumberland’s Washington, D.C., alumni.

Robert K. Dawson ‘71

After 17 years of government service, lobbying was what Robert K. “Bob” Dawson knew best. He decided to take full advantage of his previous experience and founded a full-service government relations firm, Dawson & Associates, in 1997.

Dawson moved to Washington, D.C., immediately following graduation with the intention of only staying a few years. He was swept away in the fast pace of the legislative city.

“It is a great city for expanding the mind,” he said. “You are constantly surrounded by art, theatre, universities, and highly motivated individuals.”

Slowly working his way to the top, Dawson began as a legislative assistant to U.S. Representative Jack Edwards in 1972. He spent the following nine years as the administrator to the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. In 1981, Dawson was appointed by President Ronald Reagan as a deputy assistant secretary of the Army for civil works.

Dawson the served as the associate director of the Office of Management and Budget at the White House, where he was responsible for about one-fourth of the annual domestic budget for the United States. He left the government for full-time lobbying. Before founding Dawson & Associates, he served as the director and vice chairman of Cassidy & Associates for nine years.

Dawson specializes in water resources and environmental legislation, including the role of privatization and regulation. His greatest victory came when his firm was given the opportunity to represent Florida agriculture in an effort to restore the Everglades. After weeks of preparation, it was his firm's technical and scientific knowledge that helped the appropriate legislation to be passed.

While lobbyists are often portrayed negatively to the American public, Dawson defends that he and his coworkers are professionals.

“Lobbying is often viewed as arm-twisting, access, and relationships, when in actuality, it's about presenting the facts and knowing the arena better than anyone else,” he said.

Dawson is currently working to help the city of Fort Myers, Fla., obtain a coast guard permit so that it can restore damaged bridges. He is also attempting to reopen a road in California that was closed immediately following the events of September 11, 2001.

Dawson has high praise for his law school education. “ Cumberland does a good job preparing students for Washington, D.C., through its practical emphasis on the law and its dignity to public service,” he said.

Related Links
Click here to read how Dawson & Associates successfully acquired a coast guard permit for Lee County, FL.
Click here to read our case study on the Everglades Restoration Project.