For Nickles, Watts, Life After Congress Is Green

Former U. S. Senator Don Nickles and former Congressman J. C. Watts have something in common other than their previous Oklahoma public service: Both are now Washington lobbyists and their firms are raking in big bucks.

For Watts, who began his lobbying and business career after deciding not to seek reelection in 2002, his decision to form his own companies has been hugely, and immediately, rewarding. In 2005, the former congressman's six entities generated more than $25 million. Records, and Watts' own website, confirm that number. Under the umbrella of "J. C. Watts Companies," Watts also operates Watts Consulting Group, CLS Washington, Mustang Equipment, HR Empowerment and Winn Watts Development Group. J. C. Watts Companies is his "corporate holdings" entity; Watts Consulting Group specializes in "government and corporate relations," while CLS Washington is in the "engineering, construction and project management" business. Mustang Equipment handles "John Deere authorized equipment sales and service" and HR Empowerment specializes in "workforce diversity training." Winn Watts Development Group works on "affordable housing solutions." Watts' website says the parent company "is a multi-industry business headquartered in Washington, D. C. with operations in Oklahoma, Texas, Massachusetts, and Korea. We are a certified Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) by the National Minority Supplier Development Council."

Officials in Watts' businesses includes himself, as founder and chairman; Elroy Sailor as founder and chief executive officer; Jon Vandenheuvel as founder and president; Darin Carrington as chief financial officer; and Randy Evans as chairman of the board.

Watts' lobbying business, the Center for Responsive Politics reports, generated $1,750,000 last year. He took in about a million dollars in his first year, 2003, and about $1.6 million in 2004. His clients, and the sums they paid J. C. Watts Companies in 2005: Albany State University, $40,000; Benham Cos., $40,000; Black Farmers & Agriculturalists, $20,000; Black Television News Network, $50,000; Bowl Championship Series, $60,000; CompuCredit Corporation, $140,000; FM Policy Focus, $360,000; Gospel Communications, $60,000; Grambling State University, $20,000; John Deere Co., $120,000; Langston University, $20,000; Mississippi Valley State University, $40,000; NASCAR, $60,000; National Association of Insurance Commissioners, $200,000; Oklahoma Heart Hospital,$60,000; Robinson Aviation, $160,000; SBC Communications, $100,000; Syntroleum Corp., $60,000; Texas College, $40,000; United Keetoowah Band/Cherokee Indians, $40,000; US Virgin Island Military Museum and Veterans Memorial Complex, $60,000. Watts also is on the boards of director of numerous companies and is represented by the Washington Speakers Bureau.

Nickles' start in the lobbying business has been successful, more so in his first year than was Watts' start. Opensecrets.org reports that Nickles generated $3,720,000 in his first year in business. His clients, and the sums they paid The Nickles Group in 2005: American Hospital Association, $220,000; American International Group, $40,000; American Society of Anesthesiologists, $150,000; Apria Healthcare, $120,000; Bristol-Myers Squibb, $200,000; Charity Capital Funding Plan, $160,000; Cleveland Clinic, $180,000; Comcast Corp, $100,000; COMPETE, $270,000; General Electric, $230,000; General Motors, $270,000; Intellectual Ventures, $160,000; Invacare Corp., $170,000; Medtronic, Inc., $110,000; Multi-Employer Pension Alliance, $120,000; National Association of Home Builders, $160,000; National Marrow Donor Program, $180,000; Nestle USA, $100,000; Pfizer Inc., $120,000; Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, $30,000; Vonage Holdings, $200,000; Wheelchair/Aqua Global/Health/Education Foundations, $160,000; YMCA of the USA, $170,000.

Those involved in The Nickles Group include Nickles, as chairman and chief executive officer; Stacey Hughes as partner; Hazen Marshall as partner; Cindi Merifield Tripodi as partner; Rachel Jones Hensler, vice president; and Brian Wild, vice president.

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