Former Rep. Geoff Davis, R-Ky., is joining with veteran lobbyist Hunter Bates in forming Republic Consulting, a lobbying and consulting venture.

Davis, who retired this summer citing family medical reasons, was a member of the tax-writing House Ways and Means panel. He also served as deputy Republican whip and a member of the Financial Services and Armed Services committees.

“I am excited about this next step on the journey,” Davis said in a statement. “We will work together to provide strategic, operational, and technical support to a broad range of clients. Our goal is to help them be competitive and agile, despite the uncertainty of the current environment.”

Davis called Bates a “longtime friend whose integrity is beyond reproach.”

Interestingly, when Davis announced his resignation from Congress, Bates, a Kentucky resident, considered making a bid for the seat but ultimately decided to stay in private practice.

This is not Davis’ first foray into the private sector. Before winning a seat in Congress, Davis ran Capstone Inc., a consulting firm.

Bates, a former top aide to Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., has been in the lobbying business for years, most recently as founder of the Bates Capitol Group. His clients include Amgen Inc., UPS, the Biotechnology Industry Organization, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Institute for Legal Reform and the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, among others.

“Geoff has one of the sharpest policy minds of anyone who has served in Congress,” Bates said. “His vast expertise from tax and trade to financial services and defense will make him an invaluable resource to business leaders. I am honored to have the opportunity to work with Geoff.”

Davis’ longtime aide and former legislative director, Lauren O’Brien, and the director of federal affairs for the Bates Capitol Group, Chase Hieneman, also will be part of the new venture.