Changing of the Guard on Tap for Telecom Lobbyists in Annapolis

A changing of the guard is taking place in the Annapolis telecommunications lobbying corps.

Sean Looney, a State House lobbyist for telecom companies for the past 28 years, is retiring at the end of the month as vice president for state government affairs at Comcast. He will be replaced by Tiffany Harvey, who has spent the last two years as director of state government and community affairs at Verizon. And Harvey will be replaced by Tyler C. Patton, the senior vice president for public affairs at Maryland Broadband Cooperative Inc.

Looney, who is from New Jersey, came to the area in 1990 to work for the company then known as Bell Atlantic and was part of the telecom giant’s federal lobbying corps at first, focusing on Capitol Hill and regulatory agencies. He spent the Maryland General Assembly session of 1994 shadowing the phone company’s veteran Maryland lobbyist, Pete White, who was preparing to retire. A year later, he became the company’s top Annapolis lobbyist.

In an interview, Looney recalled that there was a huge turnover in the legislature in 1995, along with a new governor, Parris N. Glendening (D). So even though he was relatively new to the State House, “it worked out great for me, because I was then on a level playing field with all the big guys — [lobbyists] Bruce Bereano, Jim Doyle, Gerry Evans. They had to introduce themselves to all the new legislators the same way I did.”

After 13 years with Bell Atlantic, which later became Verizon, Looney jumped to Comcast at the end of 2003 and has been there ever since.

Looney observed that telecommunications law has become a lot more complex and contentious since he started in the State House, but he finds that the current crop of lawmakers — and their staff — have met the challenges of keeping up with the changes, even as their own legislative jobs become more demanding.

“I’m so impressed by the new crowd of legislators,” he said. “The vast majority are just committed to serving their constituents and the people of Maryland.”

But Looney also had high praise for the longtime presiding officers of the Senate and House, the late Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller Jr. (D) and the late House Speaker Michael E. Busch (D).

“They were two icons,” he said. “I so enjoyed working with them. Their spirit of collaboration was second to none.”

Looney added that watching the two chambers evolve in the post-Miller and post-Busch eras has also been fascinating — and said this is a good time for Harvey to be taking over.

“This will be a great year for her to get her feet set,” he said. He predicted “monumental change” in Annapolis following the 2022 elections, which Harvey will be equipped to handle.

With Comcast, Harvey will take on the title of vice president of government and regulatory affairs. She’ll oversee the company’s lobbying operations in Delaware as well as in Maryland.

Prior to her time at Verizon, Harvey worked as legislative affairs director for Prince George’s County Executive Angela D. Alsobrooks (D), and spent almost four years holding civil rights and legislative affairs jobs under Attorney General Brian E. Frosh (D).

“Tiffany has a deep understanding of our industry and the local municipalities we serve,” Robert Omberg, vice president of government and regulatory affairs for Comcast’s Northeast Division said in a statement. “We are thrilled to have her representing Comcast in Annapolis and Dover.”

Harvey’s replacement at Verizon, Patton, leaves the broadband coalition after a decade in various roles.

Patton has been a fixture on the Maryland political scene for several years, and is one of the most plugged-in advocates in Annapolis. His career has included stops working for Miller in the State House, the Queen Anne County’s Sheriff’s Office, former U.S. Sen. Barbara A. Mikulski (D-Md.) and ex-congressman Frank Kratovil (D-Md.).

“He is a legislative professional whose stellar reputation, invaluable relationships and knowledge of the industry helped the MdBC grow and prosper in good times and challenging times,” Tom Dennison, chairman of the Maryland Broadband Coalition’s board, said in a statement.

Maryland Broadband has not yet announced a replacement for Patton.

As for Looney, he said he has no immediate plans for his retirement, other than hang out with his family, visit their vacation home on the Jersey Shore, and contemplate travel.

“Nothing planned,” he said. “I just want to take a break, catch my breath, and figure out what’s next,” he said.

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