Lew McMurran: Lobbyist!?! One of THOSE people!

Lew McMurran starts out by identifying himself as a registered lobbyist.  Which this day and age carries a stigma about as appealing as being an ex-con.  People just assume you're some kind of sleazy, lying, manipulating, scheming, corporate pawn.  Which, as it turns out, a student even asked McMurran how he feels about calling himself a lobbyist, to my amusement.  He, however, took it very seriously and claimed to be an honest, straight shooting, regular Joe, who isn't involved with any of the lobbying that generally garners such disrespect from society.   McMurran explained how he worked for the banking industry for a while, then the King County Council, and public utilities district.  Eventually he started the WA Software Alliance which changed its name to the WA Technology Industry Association.  The company is a nonprofit organization 501.C-6 and currently has about 11 employees.  They offer a number of Business Services, events and programs as well as advocacy and lobbying.  Currently there are 600 member companies associated with WTIA and membership is as simple as paying a sum of money relative to the number of employees your company has.  McMurran offered some advice for students, apparently the same advice he tells his high school & college age children, “JOB stands for Just Over Broke – try to create your own business and employee yourself.”  From my perspective however, the job I have has helped me far exceed “just over broke” and the corporation I work for has all the pay, benefits and growth I need.