Prior to joining the Livingston Group in 2000, Mel Goodweather established the Congressional Affairs Office for Airbus Industries of North America. In just over two years, this office was recognized as one of the most active, effective and credible lobbying operations on Capitol Hill. Mr. Goodweather's other corporate experience includes establishing a Congressional Affairs Office for Pratt and Whitney Aircraft. In that position he led the effort in funding and winning the engine competition for the F-22 Advanced Tactical Fighter, as well as legislating a sole source contract for refurbishing the engines for the F-15 and F-16 aircraft, valued at over 2 billion dollars. He also served as Director of Congressional Relations for the parent corporation, United Technologies -- a 27 billion dollar company manufacturing Sikorski helicopters, Norden Radars, Hamilton Standard Propellers, Otis elevators, Carrier Air conditioners as well as Pratt and Whitney engines. His Air Force Congressional experience includes service as an action officer, Deputy Chief and Chief of the Legislation Division in the Office of the Secretary of the Air Force and the officer responsible for weapons authorization in the office of the Secretary of Defense. He retired with the rank of Colonel. Mr. Goodweather has a Bachelor of Arts from the University of North Carolina, a Doctor of Jurisprudence degree from The George Washington University Law Center and a Masters of Law from Wayne State University. He has been an adjunct professor at the University of Maryland and The McGeorge School of Law, The University of the Pacific.