WASHINGTON (September 30, 2021) – The George Washington University Graduate School of Political Management announced the appointment of Selby Bush, Julius W. Hobson, Jr., and Ivan Zapien to the school’s Board of Advisors. All three are GSPM alumni and adjunct professors at the school.
“I am thrilled to have these three highly distinguished GSPM alumni joining the school's Board of Advisors,” GSPM director Lara Brown said. “Beloved by our students for the classes they have taught and the career advice they have offered, I am eager to begin working with them on the Board to broaden our school's reach and impact. Their many impressive professional achievements exemplify each of their decades-long commitments to fueling change in the fields of politics, communications and advocacy both in the United States and abroad.”
Bush leads an international team of community and government relations professionals at the global resources company BHP. Prior to joining BHP, she spent nine years at Williams, managing state government affairs for the largest gas pipeline in the U.S. and overseeing political strategy and execution for more than $7 billion in infrastructure expansion projects. Before joining the energy sector, Bush served on the legislative staff of Sen. Tom Coburn (R-Oklahoma) and on the Republican National Committee’s Victory 2008 campaign as a state communications director. She is actively involved in several women’s philanthropic organizations in her home state of Texas.
"Every experience I have had with GSPM - from attending as a student to serving on the faculty - has positively contributed to my development as a political professional, people leader, and community member," Bush said. “I am keen to help equip the next generation to continue productive political discourse and solve complex policy programs. I am thrilled to join the Board of Advisors and play an active role in shaping the future of our increasingly connected world.”
Hobson has more than 50 years of public service and private sector experience in Washington, D.C. He is currently a senior policy advisor at the law firm Polsinelli, where he concentrates on legislative and regulatory advocacy concerning health care, appropriations, budget, taxes, financial services, and other issues. Hobson held important staff positions on Capitol Hill, including chief of staff in the House of Representatives and serving as a key advisor to Sen. Charles Robb (D-Virginia). Hobson’s local government experience includes a four-year term on the D.C. Board of Education and managing federal government relations for the mayor of D.C. He also served as director of congressional affairs for the American Medical Association and Howard University.
“When I started teaching at GSPM in 1994, my only objective was to educate future political professionals on how to influence public policy,” Hobson said. “It never occurred to me that I might one day be asked to serve on the GSPM Board and for that I am deeply honored.”
Zapien specializes in government relations and public affairs as a partner at the international law firm Hogan Lovells. He spent nearly a decade as a Walmart executive, serving as vice president for federal government relations and head of the Washington, D.C., office before leading its corporate communications and government relations efforts in Mexico and Central America. He has vast experience as a leader in Democratic politics, having served as chief of staff to Sen. Bob Menendez (D-New Jersey), national outreach director of the House Democratic Caucus and as executive director of the Democratic National Committee’s Hispanic Leadership Council. Hispanic Business recognized Zapien as one of the "Most Influential Hispanics" and he was named a top lobbyist by The Hill and Latino Magazine.
“My time at the GSPM formed so much of who I am, that I feel obligated to give back and offer opportunities for countless others to have the same experience,” Zapien said.
The Graduate School of Political Management at the George Washington University is the first and foremost school of applied politics, advocacy, and communications. For more information, visit gspm.gwu.edu. Connect with GSPM on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram @GSPMgwu.
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