Brownstein Adds Natural Resources Talent to its Government Relations Department

Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck is pleased to announce that Annick Miller and Aaron Thiele have joined the firm’s Government Relations Department as senior policy advisors in the Washington, D.C., office. They will work with the firm’s clients on complex energy, environment and resource strategies.

“Annick and Aaron bring a wealth of natural resources experience and strategic insight to our Government Relations Department. Annick’s deep expertise in western water and coastal policy, combined with Aaron’s leadership across both congressional and executive branches, will significantly enhance our ability to deliver results for clients navigating today’s most pressing energy and environmental challenges,” said Nadeam Elshami, cochair of the firm’s Government Relations Department.

Miller’s experience in Congress and work with industry leaders provides her with the unique ability to anticipate and take action on issues affecting western water, hydropower, Indian water settlements and coastal environment policy. She spent over 14 years shaping federal legislation and advancing strategic priorities in the U.S. House of Representatives, including extensive work with the Endangered Species Act. She played a central role in shaping water and fisheries legislation on Capitol Hill with the House Committee on Natural Resources. She successfully led the efforts to pass dozens of bills, including provisions in major appropriations packages. Her strategic leadership helped secure billions in funding for Bureau of Reclamation projects and other western water priorities. Prior to joining the firm, Miller advised clients in the private sector, where she drafted policy briefs, coordinated stakeholder strategy and tracked legislative developments. She started her career in Congress working for former Reps. Doc Hastings (R-WA) and Mike Coffman (R-CO) and also interned at the Supreme Court.

Thiele served as Sen. Lisa Murkowski’s (R-AK) primary advisor while the representative chaired the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee and the Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies, managing land and resource management appropriations strategy for fiscal years 2022 through 2026. He also played a key role in working with administration officials on the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and the Inflation Reduction Act, coordinating with energy- and environment-related federal agencies and Alaska-based entities to maximize impact. In the executive branch, he served in the Office of Congressional and Legislative Affairs at the Department of the Interior, where he oversaw legislative strategy for multiple bureaus and helped shape the department’s budget priorities. He also managed logistics and briefings for high-level engagements for Secretary Ryan Zinke. Thiele’s career in Washington, D.C., began in the House of Representatives, advising former Rep. Ryan Zinke (R-MT) on defense and foreign affairs and supporting then-Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy’s (R-CA) office with policy and legislation research.