University Daily Kansan / Wednesday, May 1, 1991
7B
Elizabeth Taylor lobbies in Topeka
KU grad student credits some of her business success to her famous name
By Joe Gose
Kansan staff write
Elizabeth Taylor sits behind her large, mahogany desk surrounded by her computer, bookcases, files, mounds of paper and a sign that states, "Creative ideas do not come from tidy minds."
She talks about "The Saucy Ladies Club," her group of friends that gets together once a month to cook elaborate meals, relax and socialize.
Taylor, a KU student who is working on a master's and doctorate degrees in political science, is president of Taylor and Associates, an independent lobbying firm in Topeka.
"When the four of us started, I didn't cook," she said. "They asked what I did and I told them, What I do best. Delegate."
State Sen. Wint Winter Jr.
R-Lawrence
"When I started I was 22 years old. I was a kid and I was a woman," Taylor said. "I don't think being a woman had a whole lot to do with it at first, but now it's because legislators saw me as their daughter or their granddaughter.
"It made them feel more comfortable with me. So while they learned my style and while I learned theirs, we went to every immediate level of familiarity."
Taylor began the company immei diately after graduating from Wash
Taylor said that some of her early success in the lobbying business could be attributed to her name.
burn University in Topeka, where she earned bachelor's degrees in philosophy and political science.
Elizabeth Taylor
She started out representing the Kansas Association for the Education of Young Children in 1980 and now lists 19 clients. Among those are the Kansas Water Well Association, the Kansas Girl Scout Council and the Kansas Tobacco and Candy Distributors and Vendors.
Her business has grown to include publication, computer and management services.
"I'd call in and say, 'This Is Elizabeth Taylor,' and I'd always get an appointment," she said. "Even now when there are new legislators I send them a card. It's something for them to show off to their friends."
Taylor said she had developed the confidence to enter the lobbying business growing up with three brothers to contend with.
'I've never had a problem with her. I think she's pretty straight. I've never known her to be anything but straight, honest and diligent.'
But she credits an internship as legislative monitor for the Third Judicial District Court Administrator in school for giving her the drive.
"My success rate has been unbelievably high considering when I first started in 1980 I was the only major lobby firm owned by a woman," she said. "There are other female lobbyists, but they are employees of one
Taylor and Associates remains the only woman owned independent lobbying organization in Kansas.
"I thought I was good at arguing and winning because I'd argued with my brothers all my life, and I loved my internship," she said. "I decided that I would hang a shingle as soon as out of college, and that's what I did."
particular organization rather than being an independent, like I am."
"I knew immediately that if they had one lobbyist for one interest group, why could I hang a shingle? It was kind of a new idea at the
State Rep. John Solbach D-Lawrence, that said even though he did not like the cigarette organiza- tion of his campaign, thought she was an effective lobbyist.
"I'm not a great fan of the tobacco companies, but I suppose somebody has to represent them," he said. "We're supposed to have a good team. She doesn't use strong arm tactics."
"My father drives up from Houston and brings fresh seafood and cooks
Taylor also throws a gumbo party for the legislators the first Wednesday of each session.
Taylor said, "Our number is right on the jar so when they run out they can just call us. We make a trip every year and we're at our own series of candy. That's a lot of candy."
"She tries to persuade and when she sees things are going against her clients, she seeks to compromise and work with the people that are pushing that issue, to make it practical and workable."
State Sen. Wint Winter Jr., R-Lawrence, agreed.
"I've never had a problem with her," he said. "I think she's pretty straight. I've never known her to be anything but straight, honest and
"She's the one who comes around and fills the candy dispensers on people's desks," Solbach said. "I'm afraid she doesn't fill it with cigarettes."
Part of that diligence takes its form in keeping the Statehouse stocked in sweets.
the gumbo,” she said. “It’s very spicy and great public relations. It’s a fun event; there’s no business talk.”
But there is more to being a successful lobbyist than giving the legislators parties and candy, Taylor Taylor is planning effective strategies.
"You have to know your players — legislators, other interest groups, state agencies," she said. "I mean, you have to know those people well enough not only from outside but from the inside as well."
"If you can't plan a strategy that works, you can't represent your clients very well and you don't stay in business."
However, Taylor said that she never resorted to threats.
"I can plan a strategy without coming to that level of the game," she said. "I suppose there are other options, but I don't want them, but I've never had to use them."
Although Taylor started her business in 1980, she did not move into her present office until a few years ago, she said. During the process of the move, she mastered a skill that provides an escape from her job.
"I got this building and remodeled
all of it and designed it myself," she said. "I didn't design a building before, but I do it now for my home, friends and family."
An unexpected design feature is a Persian cat she adopted from the Cat Association of Topea, an alternative to the Humane Society.
"Mr. President has just made himself at home in the office," she said as he hopped up to take a seat on the desk. "I didn't know if it would work out, but he has become a fixture here."
Taylor also escapes the job by traveling out of town to visit friends and family.
"It's hard to escape this and remain in town," she said. "So I do leave town as often as I need to, but it's not often, it but it's as often as I need to."
Although Taylor had aspirations early in her career to move to Washington, D.C., and take her business to a national level, she said that she would remain in Topeka and would represent her local clients.
"I'm happy that I found something that is so pleasing to me," she said. "This company is growing as fast as for years, it's very challenging and rewarding."
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By Steve Palma
Students replace retiring teacher
Special to the Kansan
The students of Glen Leroy, associate professor of architecture and urban design at KU, provide opportunities for Bishop Hogan High School students in Kansas City, Mo., by donating their time and skills.
The retirement of a drafting teacher at Bishop Hogan presented Barbara Aldrich, Hogan principal, with a problem. The private high school teacher would like to hire a replacement but did have a demand for the drafting courses.
"I told the kids to write a petition and find out whether or not they were really interested." Aldrich said.
Leroy and Aldrich instituted a plan with regular drafting curriculum that involved bringing in Leroy's top design students, most of whom are in their final semesters of college work, to teach the class.
The 25-plus signatures on the petition moved Aldrich to ask parishioner Glen Leroy for help. Leroy directs a specialized program at the University of Missouri-Kansas City, just a few blocks from Hogan.
Hogan pays for material expenses, while Leroy's students donate their time. Some earn college credit for their work.
"I think it is a good idea to share skills with those without as much education," Leroy said. "We are trying to emphasize not only the technical aspect of mechanical drawing, but we are also trying to teach drawing as a way to communicate skills for the sake of the community."
Leroy stresses the importance of contributing to the community.
"This plants our program . . . as a force in the community," he said. "And as a benefit of educating the students at the school, RU may end with endowment."
The program proves to be valuable experience for both the KU and Bishop Hogan students, he said.
"It gets them out into the real world. It helps them learn to deal with problems other people have." Leroy said.
April Pottertoff, Raytown, Mo,
senior and one of the course's teachers,
thinks that not only is the class
helping her home basic skills but that
it provides a sense of accomplishment.
"You feel like you've accomplished something if you can explain it and make them understand it," Pottorff said.
Pottert, who plans to earn a master's degree at the City University of New York's school of urban design, said he thought the students were exposed to various fields so they would have the benefit of knowing what was out there.
Ricky Oliverez, Bishop Hogan senior, said he enjoyed the first-year graphic arts program.
"It is fun being with them in class because they are closer to our age," Oliverez said. "You want to learn how to use a computer and want to be there working with you."