Former U.S. Congressman Steve Austria, President of ZHF Consulting LLC, along with Thomas Zaino, Managing Member of Zaino Hall & Farrin and former Ohio Tax Commissioner, are pleased to announce the affiliation of former State Representative Bob Doyle, and veteran statehouse lobbyist, Richard (Rich) Bitonte with the ZHF consulting team. Doyle will serve as Senior Vice President of ZHF Consulting LLC and Bitonte will serve as VP of Government Affairs for the firm. ZHF Consulting is one of the fastest growing government consulting and government affairs firms in Ohio and Washington D.C., with their main office at 41 S. High Street, Suite 3625, in the Huntington Center building across from the State Capitol.
“I am excited to announce that former State Representative Bob Doyle and Rich Bitonte have joined our consulting team. Both gentlemen bring a wealth of experience to the team. Bob having served several years in the state legislature and having built his own business in the insurance industry,” Steve Austria, President of ZHF Consulting stated.
Doyle brings over 30 years of government experience to the firm, including 10 years in the Ohio Legislature, and over 20 years as President and CEO of The Doyle Group, a government consulting and lobbying firm. While serving in the Legislature Bob was the chief sponsor of 9 bills that became law, all while serving in the minority. Bob earned respect for his bi-partisan focus and dedication to each issue. He served as ranking member of the Health Committee and also served on the Insurance Committee, Energy Environment Committee, and the Small Business Committee.
Bitonte has over 24 years’ experience and relationships in government affairs, in and around the Ohio Statehouse, as well as Washington D.C. Most recently, Bitonte served as President of his own consulting firm, the Bitonte Group, for the past eight years. Bitonte’s areas of experience include health care, higher education, financial institutions, gaming, insurance, pharmaceuticals and state procurement.
Before starting his own business, Bitonte worked for Dinsmore/Public Sector Advisors and prior to that, Strategic Health Care, both located in Columbus. Bitonte also served in the public sector with Governor Bob Taft’s Administration, as the Legislative Director for the Ohio Department of Administrative Services, and before that as the Sr. Legislative Liaison at the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services. Bitonte began his career as Sr. Legislative aide to former State Representative John Carey in the Ohio House of Representatives.
Bitonte graduated from the University of Rio Grande, majoring in Communications and Public Relations. Rich was appointed by Governor Kasich to the prestigious Association of Ohio Commodores. Bitonte is also a proud Eagle Scout. Both Austria and Zaino commented, “We are excited to have Rich join our team and confident that his experience, knowledge, and relationships will be a significant advantage to our clients.”
According to former Congressman Austria, ZHF Consulting continues to build out its state and federal government relations team in Columbus and Washington DC with the most recent addition of former House Speaker Pro-Temp Ron Amstutz. Bitonte and Doyle can be reached at 614-782-1440, or email at rbitonte@zhfconsulting.com or bobdoyle@zhfconsulting.com .