Laurie Bendall Gravatt, Founder and Director of Crimson Consulting, brings years of experience, both inside government and as a lobbyist before Congress. Previously with Eris Group (formerly known as Bartlett & Bendall) for 5 years as Legislative Affairs Director her focus was on entertainment policy and intellectual property issues. She was responsible for advocating policy issues through her federal and state lobbying efforts for the industry’s film, music and television sectors, as well as grassroots and artist relations.

Prior to joining Eris Group she spent two years in the Office of Government Relations at the Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc., where she focused on financial and securities issues. She initiated and implemented special events such as congressional briefings on key legislative issues, coordinated congressional staff trips and Member visits to NASDAQ’s MarketSite in Times Square, and not only helped form but also served as the PAC Administrator. In 2003, she was the first employee outside of New York City to receive the NASDAQ President’s Award.

Gravatt started on Capitol Hill as a staffer for Congressman Spencer Bachus (R-AL), the current Ranking Member of the House Financial Services Committee. She focused on assisting constituents with questions and concerns on legislative issues, organizing speaking engagements with schools and other groups from the Congressional District and was a key player for the state of Alabama in Inauguration 2000 events in Washington, D.C.

She graduated cum laude with a B.A. in Political Science and Sociology from Birmingham-Southern College in Alabama.