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I'm a government relations professional with deep experience in Delaware's legislative and political landscape. I began my career with the Delaware General Assembly, where I developed a strong understanding of the legislative process, and later joined Ruggerio Willson Watson. In my current role, I help clients develop and execute strategic advocacy efforts that drive policy change, secure funding, and build meaningful relationships with state leaders. My work spans key issue areas including education, energy, and healthcare. Recognized as one of the state's most active lobbyists and part of a team named among Delaware's most influential political voices, I bring both policy expertise and strong stakeholder relationships to all of my work.

11-15 years

Deemed by the Delaware State News as the most active lobbyist based on the number of bills registered

In 2022, Verity and the RWW team were named some of the most influential Delawareans in politics by the Delaware News Journal.

Listed as a member of 40 under 40 in 2023

Served as President and Grants Chair of the Next Generation-South, a local organization that supports nonprofits in Kent and Sussex counties and Secretary of Spur Impact, the nonprofit that puts on the annual Mill Summit.

Served on the school board for First State Military Academy, a public charter school in Kent County. On Lt. Governors Gay's Finance Committee

Staffed a bi-partisain legislative joint committee

Verity Watson joined Ruggerio Willson Watson in 2016 after working for the Delaware General Assembly where she gained an intimate understanding of the legislative process, policy analysis experience, and built strong working relationships with elected officials and state agency leaders. In her current role, Verity guides clients in the creation and execution of strategic government relations plans that result in policy changes, monetary investments, and relationship building with elected officials and government leaders. She works in policy areas ranging from education to energy to health.

During the 2018 legislative session, Verity was deemed by the Delaware State News as the most active lobbyist based on the number of bills registered. In 2022, Verity and the RWA team were named some of the most influential Delawareans in politics by the Delaware News Journal. She was recognized by the Delaware Association of Chiefs of Police for her advocacy.

Verity has served as President and Grants Chair of the Next Generation-South, a local organization that supports nonprofits in Kent and Sussex counties and Secretary of Spur Impact, the nonprofit that puts on the annual Mill Summit. She also served on the school board for First State Military Academy, a public charter school in Kent County. Verity spends much of her free time at the Cape Henlopen and Seashore State Park beaches with her husband and young daughter and son.

I began my career in Delaware politics managing the successful mayoral campaign of James Baker in Wilmington and went on to serve as a senior advisor, helping lead multiple re-election efforts. I've also worked at the state and national level, including leading the Delaware Democratic Party's Coordinated Campaign and serving as a National Committeeman. In 2005, I founded Ruggerio Willson Watson, which has grown into one of Delaware's top government relations firms. Today, I also serve as Interim Head of Government Relations at the University of Delaware and teach lobbying and influence at the Biden School of Public Policy. Throughout my career, I've focused on building strong relationships and delivering strategic advocacy that drives results.

20+ years

Named one of the "Top 20 Most Influential in Politics and Business" by the Wilmington News Journal and DelawareOnline.com for four consecutive years (2021-2024).

In 2022, the RWW team was named some of the most influential Delawareans in politics by the Delaware News Journal.

In 2025, I chaired the inaugural festivities for Governor Matt Meyer.

I currently serve as Interim Head of Government Relations at the University of Delaware, sit on the boards of the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce and UD's Department of Political Science, and teach Lobbying and Influence at University of Delaware's Joseph R. Biden School of Public Policy.

On Attorney General Kathy Jennings Finance Committee On Congresswoman McBride's Finance Committee

Led the Delaware Democratic Party's Coordinated Campaign, including the late Beau Biden's election as Attorney General, and served as a National Committeeman and super delegate to the Democratic National Convention.

Rhett Ruggerio launched his political career in Wilmington, Delaware, managing the successful 2000 mayoral campaign of James M. Baker. He went on to serve as a top advisor to the Mayor, chairing two re-election campaigns and helping secure three terms in office. Rhett also led the Delaware Democratic Party's Coordinated Campaign, including the late Beau Biden's election as Attorney General, and served as a National Committeeman and super delegate to the Democratic National Convention.

In 2025, he chaired the inaugural festivities for Governor Matt Meyer.

Rhett founded Ruggerio Willson & Associates in 2005 (now Ruggerio Willson Watson), a top-ranked firm in Delaware. He's been named one of the "Top 20 Most Influential in Politics and Business" by the Wilmington News Journal and DelawareOnline.com for four consecutive years (2021-2024).

Currently, Rhett serves as Interim Head of Government Relations at the University of Delaware, sits on the boards of the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce and UD's Department of Political Science, and teaches Lobbying and Influence at University of Delaware's Joseph R. Biden School of Public Policy.

Outside of work, Rhett enjoys time at the Delaware beaches, walking his pups Ted and Dixie - or chauffeuring his wife and daughters on a shopping run.

I've been passionate about politics and public policy for as long as I can remember, with experience across government, campaigns, nonprofit work, and the private sector. I started my career with the Delaware Volunteer Firemen's Association, then went on to serve as Scheduler and Executive Assistant to U.S. Senator Tom Carper, where I gained firsthand experience in federal operations and stakeholder engagement. Since then, I've worked on statewide campaigns, led education reform efforts, and most recently directed government relations for Valero Energy in Delaware, where I represented the company at all levels of government and helped navigate complex policy challenges. Today, I leverage that experience to build strong relationships and drive effective advocacy strategies that deliver results.

15-20 years

In 2022, Kim and the RWW team were named some of the most influential Delawareans in politics by the Delaware News Journal.

Named to the 40 under 40 in 2016

Women in Business Honoree in 2021

Worked with Sen. Tom Carper as a key staffer on his Senate campaign in 2026.

Gubernatorial appointment to the Delaware Community Foundation board.

Worked on various campaigns in a fundraising position.

Kim Willson has been interested in politics for as long as she can remember and comes to Ruggerio Willson & Associates with extensive experience. Her diverse background, which covers statewide and Senatorial campaigns, local community organizations and work in the non-profit sector as well as Fortune 500 companies positions her as an immediate contributor to the success of RWW.

Kim's first foray into local politics started in college when she began working for the Delaware Volunteer Firemen's Association's (DVFA) administration. Her role with the DVFA provided Kim with first-hand knowledge of how local organizations and governments work together. It also gave her hands-on experience in cultivating those relationships, which is a skill vital to success in all aspects of government relations. Kim's next step was into national politics, serving as State Scheduler and Executive Assistant for United States Senator Tom Carper (D-DE). During this time, Kim was in daily communication with the Senator and served as the first point of contact for anyone trying to schedule meetings or events with him. She worked with both the Delaware and Washington, D.C. staff, and played an integral role in Senator Carper's successful 2006 Senate Re-Election Campaign.

Kim then entered the non-profit sector as the Program Manager for Vision 2015, an education reform program focused on transforming public education in Delaware to a world-class status. During her tenure with Vision 2015, Kim's daily interactions were with various school officials, the Department of Education, the University of Delaware Provosts, as well as state, local, and federal elected officials to further the mission, gain support, and work towards securing funding to continue the growth of the program.

Following her time with Vision 2015, Kim returned to the political campaign arena, serving as Regional Field Director in Kent County (DE) for the 2008 Delaware Democratic Party Coordinated Campaign. While there, Kim worked intimately with local, state, and federal elected officials and party leaders to ensure a Democratic win from the presidential race to the local offices, along with helping to secure a democratic majority in the Delaware House of Representatives.

Most recently, Kim led Government Relations for Valero Energy Corporation, a Fortune 500 company, in Delaware. During her tenure with Valero, Kim served as the face of Valero in Delaware, representing the company in the community but also working with members of Delaware's government on all levels, including the congressional delegation, State House of Representatives, State Senate, various state agencies, and the office of the governor. Kim worked to educate all parties about the refinery. She also helped to pull together union and state business leaders in order to stop a piece of legislation that would have cost Valero several million dollars.

Kim is married with two daughters. She is very involved with the local organization, Gals that Give. Aside from the beach, her favorite hang-outs are the local Crossfit box and yummy locally-owned restaurants.

HAILEY GOLDBERG

(Federal)
Clients:
Clients:

1) 1776 Pharmaceuticals LLC

2) ABBOTT LABORATORIES

3) Accenture LLP

4) Advanced Drainage Systems

5) Air Evac Lifeteam

6) Akebia Therapeutics, Inc.

7) Alabama Shipyard LLC

8) Alden Torch Financial LLC

9) Allegiant Travel Company

10) Alliance for Automotive Innovation

11) Alliance for Olive Oil Quality Standards

12) Alliance of Dedicated Cancer Centers

13) Altice USA, Inc.

14) Altria Client Services LLC

15) Aluminum Association Inc.

16) Amazon Corporate, LLC

17) American Bankers Association

18) American Coalition of Independent Content Production

19) American College of Gastroenterology

20) American Council of Life Insurers

21) American Cruise Lines

22) Americans for Prosperity

23) Amgen USA, Inc.

24) Anheuser-Busch Companies, Inc.

25) Ant Group Co., Ltd.

26) Aon Service Corporation

27) Aplastic Anemia and MDS International Foundation

28) APOLLO MANAGEMENT HOLDINGS, LP

29) Appriss, Inc.

30) Arcosa, Inc.

31) Argentem Creek Partners LP

32) Arizona Water Company

33) Associations of Mexican Tomato Growers

34) Asurion LLC

35) AT&T Services, Inc.

36) Athletico Physical Therapy

37) Bain Capital, LLC

38) Baker Tilly Virchow Krause, LLP

39) Barrick Gold Corporation of North America Inc.

40) Bayer Corporation (FKA Monsanto Company)

41) Bell-Carter Foods

42) Biotechnology Innovation Organization

43) Bloom Energy

44) Bridgestone Americas Holding, Inc.

45) Brightline Holdings LLC (fka Virgin Trains USA)

46) Business Roundtable

47) CalOptima

48) Cargill, Inc.

49) Carlyle Investment Management fka The Carlyle Group

50) CF Industries, Inc. and CF Industries Holdings, Inc

51) Charter Communications, Inc.

52) Chevron, U.S.A. Inc.

53) CHRISTUS Health System

54) Chubb INA Holdings Inc.

55) Citizens for Responsible Energy Solutions

56) City of Houston

57) City of Laredo, Texas

58) City of Vallejo, California

59) Coalition for 21st Century Patent Reform

60) Coalition to Heal Invisible Wounds

61) Comcast Corporation

62) Comite Interprofessionnel du Vin de Champagne

63) Connected Nation Development Corporation

64) Consumer Technology Association

65) Cook Group Inc.

66) Cordant Health Solutions

67) CoreCivic, Inc.

68) Cox Enterprises Inc.

69) Cruise Lines International Association

70) Cumberland Community Improvement District

71) CVS Health

72) DaVita, Inc.

73) DJI Technology, Inc.

74) DoorDash

75) Eastman Chemical Company

76) Empresas Fonalledas, Inc.

77) EMVCo, LLC

78) Energy Harbor Corp.

79) Entergy Services, LLC

80) Equifax Inc.

81) Esquel Enterprises Limited

82) EXXON MOBIL CORP

83) Federated Wireless, Inc.

84) Financial Services Forum

85) FireEye, Inc.

86) FireKeepers Development Authority

87) Fletcher Group, Inc.

88) Florida Citrus Mutual

89) Fluor Corporation

90) FMR LLC

91) Fontana Union Water Co.

92) Fontana Water Company

93) Foothill/Eastern Transportation Corridor Agency

94) Fort Lauderdale Downtown Development Authority

95) FS Investment Corporation

96) Gap Inc.

97) Garden of Life, LLC

98) Garrett Electronics, Inc.

99) Genentech Inc

100) George Kaiser Family Foundation

101) GGV Management LLC

102) Gila River Indian Community

103) Gilead Sciences, Inc.

104) Global Medical Response, Inc.

105) GOJO Industries

106) Goya Foods Inc.

107) HawkEye 360 Inc.

108) HDR, Inc.

109) Healthcare Leadership Council

110) HerdX

111) Hershey Company

112) Hill-Rom

113) Hillwood Development Company, LLC

114) Ho-Chunk Inc.

115) Honeywell International

116) Houchens Industries

117) Houston Airport System

118) Humane Society Legislative Fund

119) IMCS Group Inc.

120) Indigo Ag

121) Innovation Alliance

122) Inseego Corp.

123) International Business Machines Corporation

124) International Council of Shopping Centers

125) International Paper

126) Keidanren

127) KEWA Financial Inc.

128) Kingston Technology

129) Koch Companies Public Sector

130) Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Company

131) KPC Development Company LLC

132) LanzaTech Inc.

133) Laureate Education, Inc. (FKA Laureate International Universities)

134) Let'sGetChecked

135) Levi Strauss & Company

136) LG Chem America, Inc.

137) LG&E and KU Energy, LLC

138) Liberty Global Logistics

139) Liberty Mutual Insurance Company

140) LOreal USA

141) Lyft, Inc.

142) Mammoth Energy Services, Inc.

143) Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation

144) McKesson Corporation

145) MDIF Media Partners I, LP

146) Meta Aerospace

147) MetaBank, N.A.

148) Millennium Health

149) Mobility Capital Finance, Inc. dba MoCaFi

150) Motion Picture Association of America

151) National Association of REALTORS

152) National Association of Theatre Owners

153) National Cotton Council of America

154) National Immigration Law Center

155) National Independent Venue Association

156) National Thoroughbred Racing Association

157) NCTA-The Internet & Television Association

158) New Venture Fund

159) NextEra Energy, Inc.

160) Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation

161) Oaktree Capital Management

162) OC Oerlikon Management AG

163) Oneida Indian Nation

164) Otis Elevator Company

165) Owens & Minor, Inc.

166) Pacific Architects and Engineers, LLC

167) Palantir Technologies, Inc.

168) Partnership for Job Creation

169) Pebble Limited Partnership

170) Pechanga Band of Luiseno Mission Indians

171) Penobscot Nation

172) Pfizer, Inc.

173) Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America

174) Pipe Line Contractors Association

175) PMI Global Services Inc.

176) Polaris Industries

177) Pompeian, Inc

178) Port of Long Beach

179) Professional Background Screeners Association fka NAPBS

180) Puerto Rico Statehood Council

181) Qualcomm Incorporated

182) Raytheon Technologies Corporation and Affiliates (fka United Technologies Corp)

183) ResMed, Inc.

184) Restaurant Brands International Inc. (RBI)

185) Rochester Genesee Regional Transportation Authority

186) Rotech Healthcare, Inc.

187) RP Management, LLC

188) San Manuel Band of Mission Indians

189) Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corporation

190) Senseonics Incorporated

191) Shatterproof

192) Siemens Corporation

193) Sight Sciences, Inc.

194) Signature Flight Support Corporation

195) Society to Improve Diagnosis in Medicine

196) Solano Transportation Authority

197) Southeastern Conference

198) Southwest Research Institute

199) Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.

200) Sumitomo Rubber Industries Ltd.

201) Surgery Partners

202) Syracuse University

203) TE Connectivity

204) Texas Association for Home Care & Hospice

205) Texas Public Policy Foundation

206) The Alliance for Trade Enforcement (AFTE) fka (AFTI)

207) The Center for a Free Economy

208) The Michaels Companies, Inc.

209) The Puerto Rico Equality Forum

210) The Seneca Nation of Indians

211) The Strategic Group

212) Tile

213) Total Administrative Services Corporation

214) TransUnion

215) Trimble Navigation Ltd

216) Trinity Industries

217) Twenty Holdings Inc

218) U.S. Chamber of Commerce Center for Capital Markets Competitiveness

219) U.S. Chamber of Commerce Institute for Legal Reform

220) United Parcel Service

221) United States Pharmacopeial Convention

222) Unity Aluminum (fka Braidy Industries)

223) University of Louisville

224) UofL Health, Inc.

225) US Physician Partners (Informal Coalition)

226) UT-Carrier

227) Vallourec USA Corporation

228) Varian Medical Systems, Inc.

229) Verax BioMedical Inc.

230) Visa, U.S.A., Inc.

231) VIZIO, Inc.

232) Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

233) Wabash Valley Resources, LLC

234) Xenex Disinfection Services, LLC

235) Yacht Haven USVI LLC

236) Zelis Healthcare Corporation

237) ZP Better Together, LLC

238) ZTE Corporation

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