Jim Lake is president and partner, managing the firm's Washington office. Jim brings over 27 years of proven experience in both the public and private sectors to the benefit of the firm's clients. Jim has wide-ranging experience — both domestically and abroad — across the political and public affairs spectrums. At GA, Jim drives new business opportunities and is instrumental in positioning the firm as an industry leader in Washington and across the country. He is also responsible for growing the firm’s practice areas in the energy, labor, telecommunications and government sectors. He has also been a driving force in developing a crisis communications offering benefitting the firm’s client base.

Prior to joining GA, Jim served as chairman of the U.S. public affairs practice at Burson-Marsteller where he oversaw the rejuvenation of the practice's performance and strengthened its international portfolio. Jim served as senior global account counselor for the practice's most notable client: the Bureau of Engraving and Printing and its "New Color of Money" public education program. He was also responsible for developing and growing the firm’s government public education practice area.

Formerly, Jim was a high-ranking U.S. government official serving for eight years through the Reagan and Bush Administrations at the U.S. Department of Commerce. His tenure included serving as the principal deputy assistant secretary and acting assistant secretary for trade development in the International Trade Administration where he was responsible for the development and execution of trade and media strategies to promote U.S. exports around the world.

Jim is the recipient of numerous industry awards for his work on behalf of his clients and was awarded the coveted PR News, PR People Award for Brand Manager of the Year. A native Californian, Jim holds a B.A. in Economics from California State University, Fullerton.