David Hodges, Page Strickler and Kirby Garrett Bring Ownership Team to Five
CFM Advocates added three new equity partners effective January 1 in a move designed to give greater responsibility for the firm’s growth to three existing senior staff members – Kirby Garrett, David Hodges and Page Strickler.
The three new equity partners join Joel Rubin and Dale Penn II as owners of CFM.
Joel Rubin
“Kirby, David and Page have achieved extensive records of success delivering results for CFM clients,” says CFM Partner Joel Rubin. “They perfectly reflect CFM’s tagline ‘Principled Advocacy. Real Results.’”
“They perfectly reflect CFM’s tagline ‘Principled Advocacy. Real Results.’”
Hodges, Garrett and Strickler came to CFM after working in key congressional roles. Hodges served as Southwest Washington director for Senator Patty Murray. Garrett was a legislative assistant for former Oregon Congressman Greg Walden. Strickler was Southwest Washington Director for Senator Murray, Deputy District Director for former Washington Congressman Baird, a legislative assistant for former Oregon Congresswoman Elizabeth Furse and worked on the campaigns of former California Senator Barbara Boxer and former Colorado Congressman Mark Udall.
Garrett specializes in helping clients define federal priorities and advocacy strategies to secure funding. “His impressive portfolio includes securing tens of millions in federal funding for CFM clients,” Rubin said. Garrett holds a master’s degree in public policy with an emphasis on transportation from George Mason University. He took his undergraduate degree from Baylor University.
“Strickler is an experienced advocate on transportation, housing and infrastructure issues,” Rubin said. She has extensive experience working with federal agencies such as the Army Corps of Engineers and National Marine and Fisheries. Strickler worked at CFM from 2013 to 2017 and rejoined the firm in 2022. She earned a master’s degree in community and regional planning from the University of Oregon and her bachelor’s degree from the University of Puget Sound.
Hodges, who also worked earlier in his career in the Washington Legislature, “brings a wealth of experience in local, state and federal advocacy with a focus on infrastructure, natural resources, international trade and waterway issues,” Rubin said. Hodges earned a bachelor’s degree in communications from Washington State University in Pullman.
Dale Penn II
“Their unique skills and accomplishments enhance CFM’s capabilities and will continue contribute to the success of our clients in the Pacific Northwest,” Rubin said. “Elevating them as partners adds further stability to CFM and solidifies its capabilities to keep delivering exceptional advocacy services to clients in the Pacific Northwest.”
“This move is part of a long-term plan to build CFM into an even stronger advocacy organization serving our region and our clients’ diverse interests,” Penn said.
CFM opened in 1990 offering federal lobbying, state lobbying and public affairs services primarily to clients in the Pacific Northwest. The firm employs a staff of 16 and has offices in Portland, Vancouver, Salem and Washington, DC.
