By Steve Peoples
Journal staff writer

Former Lt. Gov. Charlie Fogarty is returning to the State House. But this time, he'll be wearing a lobbyist badge.

The Democrat who lost a nail biter to Governor Cariceri in 2006 has joined the Mayforth Group, a lobbying and communications firm headed by Fogarty's former campaign director, Rick McAuliffe.

"This isn't a huge firm, so Rick will be the primary lobbyist at the State House for Rhode Island, but I expect that as the session gets under way, I'll be up there," Fogarty tells Political Scene. "I imagine the first couple times that will be odd. I haven't been to the State House much since I left office."

Nearly Fogarty's entire professional career has been focused on public service. Since 2007, however, he's been an adjunct professor at Johnson & Wales University, where he teaches Foundations in Leadership Studies, among other classes.

"It is going to be a different experience, definitely," Fogarty said, noting that he plans to use contacts from the National Lieutenant Governor's Association to help Mayforth grow. "But fortunately for me, Rick is a great person to work with, I'm happy with and comfortable with the clients, so I don't think that'll be difficult."

Mayforth's clients include Johnson & Wales University, the Newport County Chamber of Commerce, Women & Infants Hospital, and the collection of non-profit nursing homes known as the Rhode Island Association of Facilities and Services for the Aging.

The operation, which lobbies in Washington and other states, has made other changes.
The firm has added marketing and communications director Mary K. Talbot, a former public relations official with Citizens Bank and the Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation. Kerry Hall, who previously supervised grant writing efforts at Women & Infants Hospital, has been added as a grant writer.