Evelyn (Evie) Zois Sweeney joined MHSA in 2011. Evie previously lobbied on behalf of a multitude of corporate, non-profit and municipal clients at Dykema Gossett, PLLC. She has extensive experience with state procurement, local government and the appropriations process, specifically higher education, capital outlay, corrections and general government.

Prior to joining Dykema, Evie served as a legislative assistant to the Senate Appropriations Chair and Clerk for the Senate Appropriations Committee and Joint Capital Outlay Subcommittee. In addition to shepherding legislative agendas through the process, she was responsible for monitoring several departmental budgets, including corrections, community health and general government.

Evie is a 2004 graduate fellow of Michigan State University's Michigan Political Leadership Program, a multi-partisan leadership training program. Evie also serves as co-chair of the gift acquisition committee for the Children's Trust Fund, is involved with Habitat for Humanity and serves on the Michigan Political Leadership Program's Finance Committee. Evie also had the privilege of working on Governor Rick Snyder's 2011 Inaugural Executive Committee.

Evie graduated from Michigan State University's James Madison College with honors and earned a bachelor of arts degree. She was a double major in International Relations and Sociology. Evie also served as a research assistant at St. Peter's College, University of Oxford, Oxford England.

Evie and her husband Matt reside in DeWitt with their daughter and son.

15-20 years

Successfully secured recent state approval of the largest public and private partnership for a 45 block redevelopment in Detroit, including a world class event center and mixed use development, valued at $650 million;

Helped design and execute a successful strategy to expand early childhood funding, including $65 million in additional funding opportunities for 14,000 preschoolers to attend Great Start Readiness Program (GRSP);

Successfully achieved approval of KENO for the Michigan State Lottery, which has generated hundreds of millions of dollars into the school aid fund;

Recently negotiated an economic development package with the MEDC to allow for a $100 million expansion, creating 1,000 new jobs for a Mid-Michigan based client;

Played an instrumental role in reshaping debate and the political environment on behalf of a major business organization by helping pass key policy initiatives which include: major business tax restructuring and incorporating fiscal discipline and performance metrics;

Obtained Legislative authority for the start up of the Biosciences Research & Commercialization Center at Western Michigan University including $10 million in state start up funds, creating over 33 life science companies, 240 high tech jobs and leveraged an additional $160 million in private sector investment;
Helped negotiate an incentive package, on behalf of a large international IT company, with the State of Michigan to bring a unique global software development center to the campus of Michigan State University, creating over 500 jobs to date;

Effectively secured hundreds of millions of dollars in capital outlay projects for our university and community college clients;

Assisted several clients in successfully navigating through the procurement process in areas such as Michigan State Lottery, Department of Corrections, IT, and Real Estate, resulting in several hundred million dollars in opportunities;

Negotiated a comprehensive economic development package for an international client, including infrastructure dollars for $84.4 million in investment in 1,600 new jobs in West Michigan;
Facilitated the donation of a retired 747 Jetliner from a major airline to a university client's aviation and engineering programs for the training of future pilots and engineers;

Secured $100 million in state funding for the construction of the McNamara Terminal at Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport;

Passed legislation that raised the cap that a Michigan based beer manufacturer could produce each year, allowing it to continue to grow and invest in southwest Michigan while hiring dozens of new employees.

Bret Marr joined MHSA in 2003, and became a member of Muchmore Harrington Smalley & Associates, LLC in 2015. Prior to that, he successfully served as Director of Legislative Affairs for former Governor John Engler. Bret served as the primary contact between the Michigan Legislature and Governor Engler on legislative and appropriations issues. Bret coordinated Michigan's electric restructuring plan in the Legislature as well as the rewrite of Michigan's Telecommunications Act. He also shepherded numerous changes to Michigan's tax structure, including a rewrite of the Brownfield program and streamlining of the tax reverted property process.

Consistently voted one of Lansing's top lobbyists, Bret's focus is now on hospitality, healthcare, transportation and general business issues. He also manages several appropriations issues for MHSA's clients. In recent years, he has successfully secured funding for the Detroit Super Bowl XL Host Committee, state approval of a new events center in the City of Detroit and directed the efforts of a coalition moving Michigan's school start date to after Labor Day.

Prior to serving Governor Engler, Bret was Director of Government Affairs for the Michigan Restaurant Association (MRA). He served as the MRA's Lansing and Washington, D.C. lobbyist and coordinated a strong grass roots program. Bret began his career in the Michigan Senate as Communications Director for the Chair of the Education Committee. While a Senate staff member, he served as policy advisor to the Appropriations Committee and advisor to the Economic Development and Financial Services Committees.

Bret graduated with a bachelor of science in Public Affairs Management from Michigan State University and received his Master's of Public Administration, also from MSU, where he graduated with honors. He served on the Michigan Travel Commission and is a member of the Michigan Political History Society. He also coaches youth soccer and hockey.

Bret is married to Jenna and resides in Okemos with their three children.

Malcolm Kletke joined MHSA in 2020. Malcolm previously held the position of Deputy Director of Legislative Affairs for Governor Whitmer, serving as the chief contact between the Michigan Legislature and Governor Whitmer on all legislative issues. He was involved in historic changes to Michigan's Auto No-Fault system, the Raise the Age package, sports-betting and online gaming legislation, Rebuilding Michigan Plan, and dealing with the COVID-19 response.

Prior to serving Governor Whitmer, Malcolm served as a policy analyst for the Michigan Senate Democratic Caucus. In this role he provided research, analysis, and policy advice on matters coming before the Transportation, Commerce, Natural Resources & Environmental Quality, and Agriculture Committees. He was also responsible for overseeing the Department of Transportation, Department of Environmental Quality, Department of Natural Resources, and the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development budgets. Malcolm began his career in the Michigan Senate working as a legislative assistant for then-Senate Minority Leader Gretchen Whitmer.

Malcolm holds a bachelor's degree in Political Science – Pre Law from Michigan State University.

Malcolm and his wife Alexandra live in Lansing.

20+ years

Recipient, Kate Stoneman Award, 2026

Named to the City & State Trailblazers in Health Care list, 2025

Named to the City & State "40 in Their 40s" list, 2024

Named to the City & State Trailblazers in Law list, 2024

Named to the City & State Above and Beyond: Gen X list, 2023

Selected by her peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® for Government Relations

Named to the City & State Telecommunications Power 50 list, 2021

Donald D. DeAngelis ’60 Excellence in Alumni Service Award recipient, Albany Law School, 2018

Participant, American Israeli Education Foundation (AIEF) Northeast Progressive Leaders Delegation trip to Israel, December 2017

Distinguished Service Award recipient, State University of New York at Potsdam Alumni Board of Trustees, 2016

Selected to the Upstate New York Super Lawyers Rising Stars list, 2013-2017

Amy is a former Legislative Aide to New York Assemblywoman Helene E. Weinstein, Chair of the Assembly Ways and Means Committee.

As Government Affairs practice group leader and partner in charge of the firm's Albany office, Amy's law practice focuses on representing a variety of New York State professional associations, businesses, and not-for-profits before New York State Government, including the State Legislature, Governor's Office, and State Agencies. Amy is a former Legislative Aide to New York Assemblywoman Helene E. Weinstein, Chair of the Assembly Ways and Means Committee. Her practice includes:

- Providing lobbying and government-related services.
- Monitoring, analyzing, and reporting on the status of pending legislation.
- Communicating clients' positions to members of the State Legislature, state agencies, and the Governor's Office.
- Drafting legislation on behalf of clients.
- Researching and ensuring compliance with state and federal lobby and election laws.
- Assisting clients with strategy regarding the availability of and access to a variety of government funding-mechanisms and other programs.
- Advising clients regarding a myriad of government relations compliance issues, from procurement regulations to campaign finance laws.

2013 Roger J. Robach Conservative of the Year, awarded by the Monroe County Conservative Party

G.O.L.D. (Graduate of the Last Decade) Award (2009), Roberts Wesleyan College. Awarded for professional excellence, community involvement, active participation in the ongoing work of Roberts Wesleyan College and maintenance of a lifestyle that's in harmony with the spirit and philosophy of the college.

Editor-in-Chief, Buffalo Law Review, SUNY Buffalo Law School

Member, American Bar Association Government Affairs Professionals Committee

Before joining the HSE Government Affairs group, John practiced for several years in the trial department of the firm.

His focus includes: drafting legislation on behalf of clients, monitoring and reporting on the status of pending legislation, analyzing potential effects of pending legislation on clients' interests, communicating clients' positions to members of the State Legislature, State Agencies, and the Governor's Office, assisting clients with strategy regarding the availability of and access to a variety of government funding mechanisms and other programs, advising clients regarding a myriad of government relations compliance issues, from procurement regulations to campaign finance laws.

Adrian joined MHSA in 2002, and became a member of Muchmore Harrington Smalley & Associates, LLC in 2015. Prior to that, he served as the Assistant Vice President of Legislative Relations for the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC). Adrian collaborated with key stakeholders to improve Michigan's business climate with high profile legislation such as Next Energy and the establishment of the Broadband Authority. Adrian was also influential during the passage of legislation to create the Metropolitan Airport Authority Act, which was responsible for the building and modernization of the McNamara Terminal at Detroit Metropolitan Airport.

Respected as one of Lansing's top lobbyists, Adrian specializes in economic development, energy and technology, environmental, insurance, banking and tax policy issues. Recent accomplishments include the passage of legislation that gave Jackson National the ability to expand their business. Adrian secured state investment for the Farmers Insurance expansion and the JW Marriott Hotel, both in Grand Rapids. He has been instrumental in the last three business tax code rewrites and worked on legislation to standardize college entrance testing.

Prior to his work at the MEDC, Adrian was the Legislative Liaison for the Department of Management and Budget where he was responsible for securing funding to build the Hall of Justice, Constitution Hall and the Vietnam War Memorial. Adrian began his career working as a legislative aide for three state Senators, later serving as director of public affairs. Adrian also worked as the public events coordinator for the Senate Majority Leader.

Adrian holds a bachelor's degree in Communications and Sociology from Western Michigan University (WMU), where he graduated with honors. While at WMU, Adrian served on the Board to Review the President's Address on Racial and Ethnic Harmony.

Adrian and his wife Erin live in East Lansing with their four girls.

6-10 years

Named the City & State "40 Under 40" list, 2024

Named to the City and State Who's Who in Government Relations list, 2024, 2025

Selected to the Upstate New York Super Lawyers Rising Stars list, 2023-2024

William & Mary School of Law:
Order of the Coif
Member, Law Review
Fellow, Election Law Graduate Research
Recipient, CALI Awards for Constitutional Law and Tax Law

Elmira College:
Phi Beta Kappa
Student Body President
Teaching Assistant, International Relations, Intermediate Macroeconomics

Caiti Anderson advises clients on a range of government affairs issues, including legislative strategy and processes. Recognized by City & State as a "Who's Who in Government Relations," Caiti counsels corporations, trade associations, individuals, and nonprofits on the complex intersection of law and government relations.

As a member of the Government Affairs team, Caiti's practice focuses on legislative and regulatory advocacy. Caiti's client representation before the New York State government regularly includes communicating client positions to members of the Legislature, state agencies, and the Governor's office. She monitors, analyzes, and reports on the status of pending legislation, keeping clients up to date on a minute-by-minute basis of new developments in Albany. Additionally, she regularly drafts legislation on behalf of clients and helps move those bills through the legislative life cycle in the State Capitol. Caiti also assists clients with procurement strategies, helping clients access government funding through a myriad of available channels.

Caiti serves on the firm's Enrichment in Action Committee. She is also active with civic service, serving on the boards of directors of Empire Justice Center and the Friends of Dyken Pond. She was recently appointed as the External Affairs Committee Chair for Empire Justice Center. Caiti is also the programming chair for the American Bar Association's Business Law Government Affairs Committee. She graduated summa cum laude from William & Mary School of Law, where she served as an Election Law Graduate Research Fellow. During that time, she worked at the Virginia Department of Elections, evaluating legality of requiring notarization of petition affidavits and proposing broader affidavit regulations to the State Board of Elections.

Sandi Jones joined MHSA in 1996 and became a member in 2003. She adds over 20 years of governmental and community relations experience to the MHSA team and is considered one of Lansing's top ten lobbyists and one of the most powerful female lobbyists in Michigan.

Specializing in appropriations, judiciary, mental health, long term care, law enforcement, criminal justice, and education issues, Sandi enjoys influencing change in the legislative and regulatory processes.

Sandi holds a bachelor's degree in Communications with a minor in Marketing and a Master's in Public Administration, both from Western Michigan University (WMU). She holds the distinction of being the first female to have served as the president of the student body at WMU. Sandi is a member of the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, Pi Alpha Alpha National Honor Society for Public Affairs and Administration, the Michigan Political History Society, the American Society for Public Administrators and is a founding member of In Forum and The White House Project.

In addition to her education-related organizations and associations, Sandi is a member of the March of Dimes Board of Directors, the Michigan Society of Association Executives, the Michigan Fraternal Order of Police, and the Children's Trust Fund. She is currently Chair of the Public Affairs Committee for the Michigan Chapter of the March of Dimes. She has helped build homes for Habitat for Humanity and facilitates mock law-making sessions with the Michigan Youth Leadership Forum, a program to introduce high school students with disabilities to state government. She also sits on the Board of Directors of Montessori Children's House of Lansing and volunteers for various other youth initiatives, including her favorite, Impact Lansing.

Sandi and her husband John reside in Mason with their five children.