Carlyle Names New Head of Government Affairs

The Carlyle Group is bringing in a longtime government worker to advise the private equity firm on the ways of Washington.

Carlyle said Tuesday that it hired Barrett Karr, majority staff director of a House of Representatives committee, to lead its United States government affairs. Ms. Karr will start at Carlyle in March and will be a principal in the global external affairs group.

“As the private industry grows and matures, thoughtful and timely dialogue with policymakers at all levels of government is increasingly important,” David M. Rubenstein, Carlyle’s co-founder and co-chief executive, said in a statement. “We are fortunate to have someone of Barrett’s caliber join our firm.”

Ms. Karr, who works at the House Education and the Workforce Committee, described Carlyle as the “best of the best.”

“For 18 years, I have been incredibly privileged to work with the best people in government,” she said in a statement. “This transition is an opportunity to continue that streak in the private sector at a firm with an absolutely sterling reputation.”

Ms. Karr is succeeding Bryan Corbett, who is moving on to a new role in Carlyle’s executive group. In her new job, Ms. Karr will provide strategic advice to Carlyle and its portfolio companies.

Hiring a government worker is hardly unusual for the financial industry, but Carlyle in particular has had a reputation as something of a Beltway insider. The firm, which is based in Washington, tried to shed that image several years ago by removing former President George H. W. Bush from its payroll, among other moves.

Ms. Karr had previously worked under President George W. Bush as deputy assistant for legislative affairs.

Ms. Karr’s “White House and Hill experience coupled with her track record of innovation and accomplishment will serve our investors well,” David Marchick, Carlyle’s global head of external affairs, said in a statement.