20+ years

We are available to discuss past achievements in many areas of government relations.

We work across branches and across all agencies of state government.

Ben Patterson grew up in Florence, Alabama. He is a graduate of the University of Alabama and earned his Ph.D. from the University of Alabama where he taught seminars in State and Local Government and American Politics until 1996.

Prior to joining Fine Geddie in 2004 he served as the Deputy Finance Director for the State of Alabama under two governors and helped guide both administrations' legislative efforts on fiscal issues. He also held the position of Chief Information Officer, overseeing the state's technology acquisitions in the late 1990s. During his tenures in state government, he gained a thorough understanding of government operations, procurement, information technology, state budgets and controls, and the complexities of Alabama's tax structure.

Ben Patterson also served as the Director of Government Relations for the Alabama Bankers Association from 2000 until 2003 where he was the principal advocate for the state banking industry. He began his lobbying career as a Manager of Legislative Affairs for the Business Council of Alabama in 1996.

BOB GEDDIE grew up in Elmore County and attended public schools in Robinson Springs and Wetumpka. After graduating from Marion Military Institute (A.A.) and Auburn University (BA), he joined the Washington staff of the late U.S. Senator John Sparkman as Sparksman's legislative assistant. He later coordinated Sparkman's Alabama offices. Geddie served for four years as Legislative Liaison and as Executive Assistant to Governor Fob James. He was the Governor's representative to the National Governor's Association, Interstate Mining Compact and the Tennessee-Tombigbee Commission. Prior to forming Fine Geddie & Associates in 1985, he was Director of State Governmental Affairs for Alabama Power Company.

15-20 years

Sean has significant Massachusetts public sector experience. As the Chief of Staff to former Massachusetts House Speaker Thomas M. Finneran (D-Boston), he served as the chief operating officer for the House of Representatives and counseled legislative leaders on issues ranging from administration and legislation to major public policy initiatives. In addition to his work with the Speaker, he served the House as Staff Director to the Committees on Taxation, Banks & Banking, and Criminal Justice under former Chairman James T. Brett (D-Boston).

Sean has also worked extensively with national legislative associations such as the National Conference of State Legislatures, the State Legislative Leaders' Foundation, and the National Speakers' Conference. As the primary contact for the Massachusetts House, Sean networked with legislative leaders and staff to promote best practices and advocate on the state and federal level. Given his tenure on Beacon Hill, he has a unique working knowledge of state legislatures and their leadership.

Sean Morrissey founded MORRISSEY & ASSOCIATES, LLC in 2007 to assist clients at the local, state, and federal level. Through individual and collaborative efforts, M&A offers strategic advice and counsel to a wide array of Fortune 500 companies with business interests in the Commonwealth.

Prior to founding M&A, Sean served as Vice President in the Boston office of Dutko Worldwide, a leading Washington, DC based public affairs and lobbying firm. While at Dutko, Sean was responsible for servicing the firm's existing national clients and generating business development opportunities in New England.