The chief of staff for House Minority Leader Tom Sawyer is leaving her position to take a job with the lobbying firm 1861 Consulting.
Heather Scanlon is planning to leave the post in a couple of weeks and start work with the consulting firm in mid-December.
She will work as the firm’s director of governmental affairs.
Derek Hein launched 1861 Consulting – named for the year Kansas became a state – with lobbyists John Monroe and Mitch DePriest last year.
The firm took over the majority of the clients previously represented by Hein Governmental Consulting. Ron Hein and Julie Hein still provide contract lobbying services for the firm.
Scanlon worked as Sawyer’s chief of staff in 2019 and 2020. She previously worked as the communications director in the minority leader’s office from 2016 to 2019.
A University of Kansas graduate with a bachelor’s degree in history and public policy, Scanlon also worked as communications director for the Kansas Democratic Party.
“We are extremely excited to welcome Heather and her legislative experience to 1861,”
Hein said in a statement.
“Having worked both alongside and against her on issues over the past several years, we are fortunate to bring someone of her skill and talent to the firm.”
Added Scanlon, “I’ve loved working the official side of state government. I’m incredibly
grateful for the knowledge, experience, and relationships I will carry along with me.
“I’m excited for the opportunity to apply these skills in a different role in joining the 1861
team,” she said.
