N.Y. Yankees Go Cap in Hand to Park Service

Ex-Governor Takes Over

A bit of musical chairs at DLA Piper Rudnick Gray Cary . . . former Michigan governor James J. Blanchard (D) is taking over as chairman of the law firm's U.S. government affairs practice group, succeeding Thomas F. O'Neil III , who is focusing on the firm's "government controversies" practice.

It's quite a group over there, including three former congressional majority leaders: George J. Mitchell (D-Maine) in the Senate, Richard K. Armey (R-Tex.) in the House and Richard A. Gephardt (D-Mo.) in the House.

Blanchard's job involves helping his colleagues keep their focus on the practice and on clients. He'll continue working with his own clients, which have included Canfor Corp., the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians and Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.

"You don't manage lawyers, you lead them. They're tigers here," Blanchard said.

From Hill to Automobiles

Cody Lusk , chief of staff to Rep. Sam Johnson (R-Tex.), a member of the House Ways and Means Committee, is returning to the American International Automobile Dealers Association, where he used to serve as legislative affairs director. Effective June 19, Lusk will be president of the organization.

Lusk also worked in the Bush administration, serving as liaison between then-Commerce Secretary Donald L. Evans and Congress.

Marianne McInerney abruptly resigned earlier this year, following tensions within the group over the formation of a political action committee (since abandoned), and joined Visionary Vehicles.

AIADA represents American auto dealerships that sell such cars as Acuras, Hondas, Lamborghinis and Porsches.

Here and There

Also moving about town . . . Becky Relic , formerly a deputy assistant secretary at the Treasury Department, joined Hill & Knowlton this week as a senior vice president and director of the public affairs practice in Washington. Before joining Treasury, she worked for the McDonald's Corp. -- not serving burgers (she's a vegetarian) but directing the company's federal legislative, regulatory and political activities.

Kathleen Weldon , a policy staffer on the House Ways and Means health subcommittee, is joining Biogen Idec Inc. as vice president for government strategy. In that post, she will oversee federal government relations for the company's D.C. office.