STAMFORD, Conn.-- Mailstream technology leader Pitney Bowes Inc. has appointed Dennis Shea to lead the company's lobbying efforts in Washington. Shea succeeds David Nassef, who is returning to Connecticut after ten years in Washington to support Chairman and CEO Michael Critelli in a wide range of assignments. In addition to leading the company's efforts at the federal level, Shea also will be responsible for Pitney Bowes' government relations activities in Canada and Latin America. Shea's role complements the work of the Pitney Bowes postal relations team, which is also based in Washington. Shea's appointment comes just four months after President Bush signed a comprehensive postal reform bill into law, the culmination of a legislative effort in which Pitney Bowes had been involved for many years. Shea is already well versed in the mailing industry, having served in 2003 as executive director of the bipartisan President's Commission on the U.S. Postal Service, co-chaired by James A. Johnson and Harry Pearce. The commission played a pivotal role in accelerating momentum toward enactment of postal reform. "We are very fortunate to have a Washington leader as experienced and respected as Dennis Shea become part of the Pitney Bowes team," said Critelli. "He understands our company and our industry, and has a long track record of working effectively and with great credibility with people of broadly diverse political views." "I am delighted to join Pitney Bowes at this critical juncture in the company's history," said Shea. "I have a very high regard for the leadership, ethics and values of Pitney Bowes, and I look forward to representing this leading company in an industry of vital economic importance." As executive director of the President's Commission on the U.S. Postal Service, Shea oversaw the creation of "Embracing the Future," the commission's comprehensive report outlining more than thirty specific recommendations to ensure the long-term survival of the Postal Service. Many of these recommendations found their way into the subsequent debate over postal reform, which culminated in legislation that passed both houses of Congress by overwhelming bipartisan majorities. Shea came to Washington DC upon graduation from Harvard Law School in 1986 and has served in a number of policy, political and lobbying roles since then.