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MICHAEL HOULIHAN

(Illinois)

Subjects: All Subjects

Links:Website

Experience You Can Count On

Drexwood's core competency is lobbying. Our team's in-depth knowledge of local, state, and federal government enables us to provide our clients with a blueprint for success in the public sector and a unique insight into what hazards to avoid. We use our political knowledge and experience to help our clients understand where they are, see where they need to go, and build a strategy for success here in Illinois. We help identify key public officials best suited to champion our clients' causes as we advocate on their behalf before the state legislature and Illinois's executive agencies. Our job is to get big things done at any level of politics, government, and public life.

15-20 years

Mike founded Drexwood Partners LLC with the mission to merge government affairs with a business savvy approach. By drawing upon his nearly 15 years of experience in government and politics combined with 10 years of experience in finance and real estate, Mike is able to provide a unique perspective to his clients. As a registered lobbyist he works with government officials at the state, county and city level navigating the process to solve problems and achieve the desired results for his clients.

Prior to founding Drexwood, Mike served as executive vice president at All-Circo, Inc, a full service government affairs and lobbying firm. There he handled the needs of over 60 clients ranging from fortune 500 companies and small businesses to units of government, non-profits and associations across all sectors and issues. In addition to helping clients with their legislative and administrative goals, he provided counsel in regards to appropriations, regulation, procurement, and coalition development.

Mike was previously vice president at Chicago-based real estate development firm The Prime Group. Serving as a member of the capital markets group, he provided financial analysis, budgeting, and due diligence on real estate transactions as well as helped facilitate $400 million in financing for the JW Marriott mixed use development on LaSalle Street. He began his career in New York with Jefferies & Company on the institutional trading desk, providing sales trading coverage for corporate accounts and hedge funds.

Mike received a B.S. in Finance from Santa Clara University in 1998. He resides in Chicago with his wife, Liz, and two daughters.

MELISSA GOMBOSKY

(Washington)

Melissa's bipartisan approach to advocacy before the Washington State Legislature and Office of the Governor has resulted in public policy improvements for her clients. She focuses on providing regulatory, legislative and political advice for her clients.

11-15 years

Melissa Gombosky is the principal lobbyist and owner of Gombosky Public Affairs. Melissa's bipartisan approach to advocacy before the Washington State Legislature and Office of the Governor has resulted in public policy improvements for her clients. In the 2020 legislative session Melissa lobbied on behalf of Microsoft to pass the first facial recognition policy in the United States. Her clients include Inland Empire Paper Company; Personal Care Products Council, The Washington State Dental Association, Association of American Publishers, Spokane, Central Valley, Evergreen, and Vancouver Public Schools, and Safelite Auto. Prior to her lobbying work, Melissa worked for the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America. She is a graduate of Whitworth University and former English teacher. She participated in the Governor appointed Rwanda delegation as part of the Woman in Democracy program. She also serves on the boards of the Boys and Girls Club and Olympia Education Foundation in Thurston County. Melissa and her husband live in Olympia and have two college age sons. She recently completed her Master Scuba Diver certification and is now working toward her first professional scuba credential.

Subjects: All Subjects

Links:Website

Maureen Glynn is a partner at Murphy Donoghue Partners. With more than 25 years of governmental affairs experience, Maureen provides day-to-day client management and counsel to multiple clients from a wide spectrum of sectors, including hospitals, physician groups, software developers, e-commerce companies, consumer credit organizations, solid waste management/recycling firms, gaming interests and non-profit charitable organizations.

Maureen has worked at the Massachusetts House of Representatives for a major committee with jurisdiction over most regulated industries including public utilities, energy firms, telecommunications, alcoholic beverages, professional licensing and gaming. She serves on the Quincy College Board of Governors, where she is currently Second Vice-Chair.

20+ years

represented a major retailer for relief from outdated pricing statute
represented major manufacturers on product liability legislation
steered passage of Massachusetts Gaming Control Statute
negotiated settlement in lieu of ballot question on teacher evaluation
intervened on legislation for private non-profit consumer finance counseling agency
achieved passage of legislation providing statutory recognition for professional behavioral health counselors association
defeated attempts to expand medical scope of services to non-medical professionals

PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND
Issues Management Group, Counsel 1992-2013
Massachusetts House of Representatives 1984-1992
Joint Legislative Committee on Government Regulations, Research Director 1989-1992, Research Staff, 1987-1989, Legislative Aide 1984-1987

EDUCATION
Suffolk University Law School, J.D. 1993
Suffolk University, B.S. 1988

Subjects: All Subjects

Links:Website

Roger D. Donoghue is a co-founder of Murphy Donoghue Partners. He leads the firm's Government Relations practice, specializing in legislative and regulatory affairs, lobbying, and business strategies.

Roger counsels regional, national, and international clients across varied industries including; health care, financial services, pharmaceutical, biomedical/life science, telecommunications, technology, real estate development, insurance, trade associations, and restaurant and hospitality, as they interface with government. Roger and his colleagues advise clients on the strategic implications of developing and maintaining relationships with government, and represent such clients before regulatory agencies and public authorities.

20+ years

represented care providers before state regulatory agencies & legislative committees
advised a Fortune 500 insurance company on how to maintain balanced statutory and regulatory treatment to assure similar treatment in other jurisdictions
represented a federally recognized native American tribe on economic development initiatives
represented a major telecommunications provider before state regulatory agencies and legislative committees
led ballot question committee counsel and strategy development culminating in a ballot question to repeal new tax on alcohol
secured tens of millions for distressed hospitals
successfully secured consumer discount legislation

PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND
Director of Public Affairs, Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce
Massachusetts Director of Government Relations, National Federation of Independent Business
Private practice attorney

EDUCATION
Suffolk University Law School, J.D., 1983
Holy Cross College, B.A., 1978

The Connecticut Group (TCG) is a bipartisan firm of lawyer-lobbyists that have over 20 years Government Affairs experience in CT. TCG has worked on many major bills covering energy, privacy, data collection, insurance, renewables, recycling and EPR.

15-20 years

  • It has been a truly great experience to work with The Connecticut Group. They worked incredibly hard to get our issues heard by legislators and regulators. I cannot thank them enough for all of their assistance, advice, and hard work. - Sarah Coli, Professional Insurance Agents of CT
  • Jim O'Brien, the founder of the firm, has been involved in Connecticut politics and government for the last 20 years. Jim began his political career in college by working as an intern on Capitol Hill. After college, Jim continued to pursue his interest in politics by working on several campaigns and political events and in 1994, Jim went to work in the Connecticut Governor's office as a Legislative Liaison. Jim helped organize the Governor's legislative agenda and his responsibilities included both editing proposed legislation as well as developing and executing a strategy to pass the legislation. He also represented the Governor's office on the Electric Deregulation Working Group, a group formed to analyze ways in which to deregulate the electric utility industry.
    Upon leaving the Governor's office in 1997, Jim joined an investment firm. Also, in that year, Jim ran and was elected to the West Hartford Town Council where he served two terms. In 2004, Jim started his own government relations firm, J. O'Brien & Associates, LLC.
    Jim received his B.A. in History from the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. in 1988 and his J.D. from the Catholic University of America, Columbus School of Law in 1995.

    PETER GLEASON

    (Pennsylvania)

    Mr. Gleason concentrates his practice as Pennsylvania and federal legislative and regulatory policy counsel. Building on his experience with the Office of the Governor in Pennsylvania, the Pennsylvania General Assembly and the United States Congress, and nearly 20 years in private practice, Mr. Gleason possesses a depth of understanding of the legislative and administrative processes, and an insider's view of the political considerations and other motivations that drive those processes. He currently represents a diverse client base, including prominent leaders within industries such as: manufacturing, rail freight transportation, natural gas production, energy policy, financial services, emerging growth and high tech, health care and retail. Mr. Gleason has also advised Governors, legislative leaders and committee chairs on political and policy matters.

    Oil & Gas Legislative and Regulatory Policy: Representing several natural gas producers operating within the Marcellus Shale on legislative and regulatory policy matters pending within the PA General Assembly and numerous regulatory agencies with oversight for Marcellus Shale activities.

    Competitive Industrial Electric Rates: Assisted large manufacturing clients in enacting legislation permitting large industrial customers to negotiate competitive rates with incumbent electric utilities, paving the way for significant, historic capital investments by those customers
    .
    Economic Development Incentives: Secured tens of millions of economic incentives for clients seeking to make large capital investment and significantly increase jobs in the Commonwealth, including grants and low interest loans, transportation assistance, rail capital and community development funds.

    Business Tax Reform: Successfully led a large coalition of manufacturers and high/bio tech companies to secure dramatic statutory changes in Pennsylvania's Corporate Net Income Tax structure that had penalized companies for increased capital and employee investment in the Commonwealth.

    Tax Free Zones: Successfully assisted large manufacturing client with the enactment of legislation creating several state and local tax free zones throughout Pennsylvania to facilitate business expansion and relocation.

    Civil Justice Reform: Successfully represented several clients in passing legislation repealing the doctrine of joint & several liability in Pennsylvania.

    Procurement Bid Protests: Managed several, successful bid protests on behalf of clients that wanted to pursue a protest without jeopardizing agency relationships.

    Health Care: In separate matters, successfully represented several hospitals and the pharmaceutical industry in reversing or mitigating proposed agency recommendations that would have caused significant harm to those clients.

    Mr. Gleason joined K&L Gates in 2002. Prior to joining K&L Gates, Mr. Gleason served in Pennsylvania Governor Mark Schweiker's Cabinet as Secretary for Legislative Affairs. In that capacity, he advised the Governor, the Governor's senior staff and fellow cabinet secretaries on legislative, regulatory and policy matters affecting all agencies under the governor's jurisdiction. On his departure from state government, Governor Schweiker had this to say about Mr. Gleason:

    "Pete Gleason has been a vital advisor to me, and a trusted liaison with the General Assembly. He helped my Administration win passage of many historic pieces of legislation, including reforms to Pennsylvania's Medical Malpractice and Joint and Several Liability laws, not to mention the 2002-03 Budget – one of the most difficult budgets in Commonwealth history."

    From 1997 to 2001, Mr. Gleason had served as deputy secretary for legislative affairs with the office of the governor in Pennsylvania. He worked with former Governor Tom Ridge until his appointment as director of Homeland Security.

    During his tenure with the office of the governor, as the Governor's liaison to Pennsylvania General Assembly legislative leaders and committee chairs, Mr. Gleason played an integral role in the enactment of the following legislative initiatives:
    The 2002-03 General Fund Budget (in the wake of a structural deficit in excess of $1.4 billion dollars).
    All legislative tax policy matters; including several significant amendments to the Public Utility Realty Tax Act (PURTA), changes to the Corporate Net Income Tax (CNIT), the phase-out of the Capitol Stock and Franchise Tax (CSFT) and changes to the state Sales Tax.
    The creation and expansion of Keystone Opportunity Zones (KOZ), Enhancement Zones (KOEZ) and Improvement Zones (KOIZ).
    Historic reforms to Pennsylvania's Medical Malpractice and Joint and Several Liability laws.
    The enactment of the Commonwealth's Procurement Code.
    Natural Gas Deregulation.
    The Uniform Electronic Transactions Act.
    Land Use Reform ("Growing Smarter").
    The Environmental Stewardship Act ("Growing Greener").
    The Uniform Construction Code.
    Workers' Compensation Reform.

    Mr. Gleason's past positions also include director of legislative affairs at the Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry, special projects director to the Republican Leader of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, and special assistant to former United States Senator John Heinz.
    In 2008, the Pennsylvania Report named Mr. Gleason as one of Pennsylvania's "Top 100 Most Influential People," in a list comprised of the 100 people most likely to have an impact on government and politics in Pennsylvania in 2008. In a 2004 poll conducted with state legislators, staff, lobbyists and other state policy stakeholders, he was named as "Most Effective Lobbyist" in Pennsylvania. Mr. Gleason was recently honored by the Pennsylvania Law Weekly and the Legal Intelligencer as one of forty lawyers under forty "On the Fast Track" for his work at K&L Gates and in the office of the governor.

    Subjects: All Subjects

    Links:Website

    Experience You Can Count On

    Drexwood's core competency is lobbying. Our team's in-depth knowledge of local, state, and federal government enables us to provide our clients with a blueprint for success in the public sector and a unique insight into what hazards to avoid. We use our political knowledge and experience to help our clients understand where they are, see where they need to go, and build a strategy for success here in Illinois. We help identify key public officials best suited to champion our clients' causes as we advocate on their behalf before the state legislature and Illinois's executive agencies. Our job is to get big things done at any level of politics, government, and public life.

    6-10 years

    Paul joined Drexwood Partners in 2019 bringing 10 years of professional experience with him, including a half decade handling multi-state government affairs and running a U.S. government affairs operation for a multi-national company.

    Adept at handling complex public policy issues, Paul began his early professional days working as a litigation paralegal for multiple law firms and working as a field organizer on a national campaign. To begin his government affairs career, Paul spent a short time in Washington D.C. working for a child welfare non-profit conducting policy research and organizing advocacy days.

    Prior to joining Drexwood as Vice President, Paul served as Director of Government Relations for a publicly-traded company where he led U.S. federal and state government affairs for multiple business segments. While there he executed federal and multi-state government affairs strategies to support organizational goals across six businesses. This included managing federal appropriation and jurisdictional committee advocacy, a fifty state legislative tracking operation, and direct and indirect lobbying in over half a dozen states across the country. In addition to traditional government affairs work, Paul led the first company-wide global political risk assessment due to international expansion and re-designed the internal government affairs approach to also focus on brand development for business segments that found more value in an elevated presence among government officials.

    With a broad range of policy experience in agriculture, education (Pre-K through postsecondary), child welfare, healthcare, insurance, and tech fields, Paul is prepared to tackle new and complex issues quickly to deliver results. He is passionate about government affairs — from traditional lobbying and strategy development to advocacy, coalition building, and policy research.

    A native of mid-Missouri, Paul holds a M.A. in Political Science from University of Missouri, Kansas City and a B.A. in Pre-Law/Legal Studies from William Woods University in Fulton, Missouri. He currently lives in Chicago, Illinois with his wife and two sons.

    MATTHEW BARBLAN

    (Federal)

    ALEXANDRA CAFFREY

    (New York)
    • 251 PARK AVENUE SOUTH, 8TH FLOORNEW YORKNY10010

    JOSEPH COSTELLO

    (New York)
    • 251 PARK AVENUE SOUTH, 8TH FLOORNEW YORKNY10010

    KELLY DENSON

    (Federal)
    • 455 Massachusetts Ave., NW, 7th FloorWashingtonDC20001-2777

    SPENCER GROSS

    (Ohio)
    • 513-325-5657

    • 88 E Broad St, Suite 1220ColumbusOH43215

    CHARLES SMITH

    (New York)
    • 251 PARK AVENUE SOUTH, 8TH FLOORNEW YORKNY10010

    RICHARD SOTO

    (New York)
    • 251 PARK AVENUE SOUTH, 8TH FLOORNEW YORKNY10010