First in an occasional series

Jay Propes is the "lead off hitter" in our new blog series, Impact Players, which focuses on people around the capitol who play big roles, but don't spend much time in the spotlight. My hope is to include lobbyists, staffers, troopers, the dude who fries the chicken fried steak at the Capitol Grill... whoever you'd like to get to know better.

At the end of each Impact Player interview, I will ask the subject to pick three other people they'd like to see interviewed. One of those will then pick the next Impact Player, and we'll spread the love that way.

A little background on our first subject. Jay is a partner in the five member lobby firm, The Graydon Group, which serves 25-30 clients each session. He's been a player around the capitol for 17 years. One of his recent accomplishments is successfully explaining what he does for a living to his parents. We talked for about 15 minutes, in which we were interrupted by a few buses, a loud cement truck and former Secretary of State Roger Williams (who came up with the lead off hitter analogy).

Jay Propes

What's a typical day like for you?
Hard to say that there's a typical day. This profession is highly reactionary, so your tasks and schedules for the day are pretty much set by committees or what bills are being considered or how intense your opposition is at the time.

In any given day, I might be working on medical issues, and then be working on issues regarding higher education funding, or some of the enhanced gaming issues before the legislature. I usually get into the office around 7:30am and leave by 7:30 at night.

What advice to you have for the rest of us?
Pay attention to every single person in the capitol, all members and all staff, because you never know when any one of them is going to be in a position to help you at any given time.

How many contacts are in your Blackberry?
10,470 (give or take a few). It's nice, since I've kept them since I got my first palm pilot in 92. I just keep amassing them. So it's nice to be able to look up a name you can't remember.. .you never know when it's going to be there for you.

As a lobbyist, is it better to care passionately about the issues, or to be more agnostic about them, so that you don't take things personally?
I don't take anything personally, but I treat things importantly. I take real ownership. I enjoy learning everything there is to know about clients I represent and the issues important to them.

Are there clients you won't take?
Yes.

Who are they?
[Silence.] I'd rather not (say).

Biggest misconception about your job?
That it's glamorous, that it's fundraisers and golf tournaments and that it's an easy way to make a living.

What's the reality?
The reality is if you don't work hard, you might get along for a little while, but people will figure you out, you'll be outworked and in the end, you won't have much value.

Who's hated more around here, journalists or lobbyists?
Journalists. I should say, they're feared more.

Do you have a life outside the capitol?
I am a true political junkie, like you. But I'd rather be playing with my children. (They are four and 21 months.)

Will your son follow in your footsteps?
I have much higher hopes for him.

Who are the next few people you'd like to see sit down for a Q and A?
Gavin Massingill, Luis Saenz, Keith Strama.

OK Gavin, Luis or Keith. One of y'all is on deck. Thanks to Jay for going first. Additional questions from his interview are after the jump.

3 Comments

MeanRachel said:

Props for the Propes piece. I like this new feature! Kind of like Seventeen for political junkies.

February 25, 2009 9:59 AM

Elise Hu said:

Thanks, Rachel! That's so... not mean of you. :)

February 25, 2009 10:13 AM

Mean Rachel said:

I like to keep y'all on your toes.

February 27, 2009 9:02 AM

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