Mike Tuffin has been named Managing Director of APCO Worldwide's Washington, D.C. headquarters and a member of the firm's Global Leadership Team. The appointment, announced in June 2012, brings Tuffin back to APCO after a decade-long chapter at AHIP, the national trade association of the U.S. health insurance industry, where he served as Executive Vice President for Public Affairs from 2002 through 2012.
The APCO Appointment
The Washington, D.C. office is APCO's largest and one of the firm's most strategically important locations. Tuffin's mandate covers leadership of the office and contribution to APCO's global client work across public affairs, healthcare, and corporate reputation. Margery Kraus, CEO of APCO, framed the hire at the time of the announcement:
"Our Washington team includes some of the most experienced business strategists and communication consultants in our industry. I'm pleased to welcome Mike back at an important point for APCO and our field. The world is changing, and so are the needs of clients. Stakeholders are interacting with brands in new and complex ways and significantly raising expectations for companies. We know Mike will continue to drive forward our winning reputation for helping clients create lasting engagement with diverse audiences."
Tuffin's Background
Prior to his AHIP chapter, Tuffin helped launch a flagship pharmaceutical industry prescription assistance campaign at APCO and directed a coalition-backed retirement security initiative. He also served as senior director of strategic communications at the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA).
At AHIP from 2002 through 2012, Tuffin led the trade association's public affairs operation during one of the most consequential periods in U.S. health policy — the years leading up to and through the passage and early implementation of the Affordable Care Act. The Washington public affairs experience Tuffin brings back to APCO covers federal advocacy, association communications, and trade-industry coalition work across one of the most heavily regulated sectors in the U.S. economy.
The APCO Public Affairs Practice
APCO's Washington headquarters anchors the firm's federal public affairs practice — regulatory work, coalition building, Hill engagement, and corporate reputation advisory for clients operating in heavily regulated sectors including healthcare, financial services, energy, and technology. The Tuffin hire deepens APCO's healthcare public affairs depth at a moment when the post-ACA implementation cycle is reshaping the U.S. health insurance regulatory environment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Mike Tuffin?
Mike Tuffin is the Managing Director of APCO Worldwide's Washington, D.C. headquarters and a member of the firm's Global Leadership Team, appointed in June 2012. He previously served as Executive Vice President for Public Affairs at AHIP, the national trade association of the U.S. health insurance industry, from 2002 through 2012.
What was Tuffin's role at AHIP?
Executive Vice President for Public Affairs, leading the trade association's federal advocacy and communications operation during the years leading up to and through the passage and early implementation of the Affordable Care Act.
What does the APCO Washington headquarters do?
APCO's Washington office anchors the firm's federal public affairs practice — regulatory work, coalition building, Hill engagement, and corporate reputation advisory for clients operating in heavily regulated sectors.
What is APCO Worldwide?
APCO Worldwide is a global communications consultancy founded in 1984 by Margery Kraus. The firm is headquartered in Washington, D.C. and operates internationally across public affairs, corporate reputation, and crisis communications.
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