(609) 209-7780
160 W State St, Trenton, NJ, 08608,
Princeton Public Affairs Group, the largest government affairs firm in New Jersey, is a multifaceted organization specializing in government relations and communications in New Jersey. We have offices in Trenton, New Jersey and Washington, D.C. with an unparalleled network of contacts throughout the state. The strength of our firm derives from the diverse backgrounds of the firm's partners and associates which include a former President of the New Jersey Senate, Speaker of the New Jersey General Assembly, Counsel to the Governor, Chief Counsel to the General Assembly and several former Directors of the Legislature.
Firm Specialties:
An accomplished bipartisan staff between our Trenton, New Jersey and Washington, DC offices ensures that our clients are well represented on both sides of the political aisle and at all levels of government. The mix and wealth of experience among our professionals provides for expertise in all areas of public policy.
Whatever the task: working our way through the permitting process, delivering a change in a regulation or orchestrating the introduction and passage of major legislation, we've done it.
Wherever the setting: before a Legislative Committee or in the Office of the Governor, we've been there.
Whomever the players: the Commissioner of a State Department, a key Committee aide, the Legislative leadership or the Chief of Staff, we know them.
And each and every one of our clients is assured the benefit of that expertise. You see, at the Princeton Public Affairs Group, our philosophy dictates that each of our clients works with a firm partner. There are no junior executives. This is one of the qualities which separates us from other firms. It gives our clients the best we have. And it works.
DAVID A. SMITH is a partner in the Princeton Public Affairs Group, is a veteran of the public affairs arena and has successfully managed public affairs campaigns impacting auto insurance, life insurance, tort reform and environmental legislative initiatives. Mr. Smith received national acclaim when he was honored with a ""Pollie Award"" by the American Association of Political Consultants and named to their United States ""Public Affairs Team of the Year." Mr. Smith was also named one of the most influential players in New Jersey's Healthcare arena by the Annual HealthSense Listing. Since 2005, Mr. Smith has been a Commissioner on the New Jersey Motion Picture and Television Commission (nominated by the Governor for two separate four year terms and confirmed by the NJ Senate) and currently serves as an Officer on the Commission (Secretary). Mr. Smith serves on the National Board of Directors of the Public Affairs Council, and was one of the few contract lobbyists in the Country to be appointed to a National Task Force charged with creating ethical standard for lobbyists throughout the United States. Mr. Smith is a founder and member of the Board of Directors of ProtectingAmerica.org, an advocacy organization Co-chaired by James Lee Witt, former Cabinet member under President Clinton and Admiral James Loy, Deputy Director of Homeland Security under President Bush. Mr. Smith also serves as an Officer (1st Vice President) of the New Jersey Hall of Fame Foundation Board of Directors and also serves on the Executive Committee (Secretary) of The Advocacy Group (TAG). Finally, Mr. Smith serves on the Board of Directors as an officer (Treasurer) of the State Capitol Insurance Company RRG, the first professional liability company for lobbyists headquartered in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Mr. Smith has appeared on television and radio stations representing clients' interests, authored dozens of articles on politics/policy issues in New Jersey and is a frequent guest speaker/lecturer at national and state conferences, legislative hearings, meetings and seminars. He has been a consultant to statewide and legislative political campaigns and is a member of the Executive Finance Committee of the Assembly Democratic Leadership Committee as well as the New Jersey State Democratic Committee. Prior to joining the firm in 1995, Mr. Smith served as Director of Policy and Planning for the New Jersey General Assembly Democratic Office. In that capacity, Mr. Smith supervised the partisan staff of all Assembly Committees and Task Forces while serving as senior staff aide to the insurance and commerce legislative committees. He was a Director with the New Jersey Dental Association from 1985 to 1990 and served on several national and state health care and insurance advisory committees.
Mr. Smith was awarded a Master of Science in Financial Services (MSFS) Degree from the Richard D. Irwin Graduate School of The American College. He is a Graduate Fellow of the Public Affairs Institute, a three year educational program of the Public Affairs Council located in Washington, DC. Mr. Smith also graduated with a Bachelors of Arts Degree in Political Science from Gettysburg College.
I bring our Preti Strategies clients the advantage of nineteen years' experience in Massachusetts state government. Nine of those years I served as Chief of Staff to Speaker of the Massachusetts House of Representatives, and for five years I was Chief of Staff to the House Committee on Ways and Means. My high level access gave me the unique experience of being directly involved in negotiations on all policy decisions that came before the House. By "being in the room where it happened" for most of my time in public service, I know what questions are asked, what political considerations are measured, and what information is sought by elected and appointed officials at every level. I use this knowledge and experience to develop positioning strategies and narratives that advance our clients' interests with decision-makers across state government.
Our entire Preti Strategies team is made up of government "insiders" who have served many years as elected or administration officials or senior level advisors. Together, we have extensive knowledge and an extensive network of connections. We've spent our careers in government and public affairs, and we love putting our experience to work for our clients to help shape policy and advance important business interests.
1) Association of Social Work Boards
2) Avaya LLC
5) Caribbean Integration Community Development, Inc.
8) Cubic Transportation Systems, Inc.
10) Fresenius Medical Care Holdings, Inc.
11) Humane America Animal Foundation
12) International Interior Design Association, New England Chapter
14) Massachusetts Advocates for Children Inc.
15) Massachusetts Association of Health Plans, Inc
20) New England Historic Genealogical Society
22) Notarize, Inc.
23) Opus Inspection Technologies, Inc
24) PLS Financial Services, Inc.
25) Retail Energy Supply Association, Inc.
26) Small Property Owners Association, Inc.
27) Sonesta International Hotels Corporation
28) Stickball, Inc.
29) The Fishing Partnership Health Plan Corporation
30) Transdev North America, Inc.
31) Wellpath Recovery Solutions, LLC
32) WSP USA Inc.
33) Zillow
Regularly engaged in the highest-level budget and policy negotiations from within the innermost circles of Massachusetts state government
Worked closely with then-Chairman DeLeo to pass four state budgets, multiple bond bills and major pieces of legislation including health care reform and clean energy initiatives.
Responsible for shaping the House legislative agenda, overseeing its execution and strategically advising the Speaker through high-stakes negotiations
Works closely with all parties including the Senate President and Governor, majority and minority legislative leadership, chairs and cabinet officials.
Policy Advisor at Preti Strategies
Chief of Staff and Chief Policy Advisor to Speaker of the Massachusetts House of Representatives.
Chief of Staff and Press Secretary to House Committee on Ways and Means
Chief of Staff and Press Secretary to House Committee on Bills in the Third Reading
Education:
Suffolk Law School
Hamilton College
Belmont Hill
The Fessenden School
I bring our Preti Strategies clients more than 20 years of policy and legislative experience in Massachusetts. Over the last several years, I have represented many clients across a range of business sectors before various state agencies and the Legislature. Before entering into private practice, I served in a variety of senior leadership positions. My last role with the state was serving as Chief of Staff at the MBTA, helping to lead the $1.7B agency. I also served as the Chief of Staff for the Massachusetts Highway Department, Legislative Director for MassDOT and as the Chief of Staff and Legislative Director for the Assistant Minority Leader in the Senate for five years. This high-level access in these many senior leadership positions have provided me the unique experience of understanding budgets, procurement, political considerations and just generally how decisions get made in a variety of environments. I leverage these attributes, along with a wide network of contacts, to help clients achieve their desired results.
Our entire Preti Strategies team is made up of government "insiders" who have served many years as elected or administration officials or senior level advisors. Together, we have extensive knowledge and an extensive network of connections. We've spent our careers in government and public affairs, and we love putting our experience to work for our clients to help shape policy and advance important business interests.
1) Association of Social Work Boards
2) Avaya LLC
5) Caribbean Integration Community Development, Inc.
8) Cubic Transportation Systems, Inc.
10) Fresenius Medical Care Holdings, Inc.
11) Humane America Animal Foundation
12) International Interior Design Association, New England Chapter
14) Massachusetts Advocates for Children Inc.
15) Massachusetts Association of Health Plans, Inc
20) New England Historic Genealogical Society
22) Notarize, Inc.
23) Opus Inspection Technologies, Inc
24) PLS Financial Services, Inc.
25) Retail Energy Supply Association, Inc.
26) Small Property Owners Association, Inc.
27) Sonesta International Hotels Corporation
28) Stickball, Inc.
29) The Fishing Partnership Health Plan Corporation
30) Transdev North America, Inc.
31) Wellpath Recovery Solutions, LLC
32) WSP USA Inc.
33) Zillow
Helped lead $1.7B agency including management, budget, technology, procurement and legislative affairs at MBTA
Led multiple technology upgrades at MBTA that resulted in a significant leap forward innovation at the agency, also became very proficient in state procurement processes and rules
Helped develop and coordinate strategy to consolidate functions of six transportation departments as Legislative Director at MassDOT
Routinely worked with staff and vendors on hundreds of millions of dollars in road and bridge projects annually
Responsible for writing and tracking all legislation and budget matters for Asst. Minority Leader
Policy Advisor at Preti Strategies
Chief of Staff, Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority
Legislative Director, MassDOT
Chief of Staff, Massachusetts Highway Department
Chief of Staff and Legislative Director, Assistant Minority Leader, Massachusetts Senate
Education:
University of Massachusetts
860-748-6413
190 Farminghton Avenue, Farminghton, CT, 06032,
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
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.
609-396-8838
160 W State St, Trenton, NJ, 08608,
203-771-4687
84 Deerfield Lane, Room 1B2, Meriden, CT, 06450,
303-523-6236
110 16th Street, Suite 1400, Denver, CO, 80202,
1) Aponte & Busam Public Affairs
2) Association of Colorado Centers for Independent Living (ACCIL)
3) Avaya
5) Children's Hospital Colorado (CHCO)
7) Colorado Association of Medical Equipment Services (CAMES)
8) Colorado Independent Automobile Dealer Association (CIADA)
9) Colorado Lawyers Committee (CLC)
518-527-1481
17 coyote lane, Troy, NY,
518-694-2370
159 Wolf Road, Albany, NY,
1010 Vermont Avenue, suite 510, Washington, DC, 20005,
202-969-8850
1010 VERMONT AVENUE NW, SUITE 510, WASHINGTON, DC,
4) Avaya, Inc.
5) BOMBARDIER TRANSIT CORPORATION & AFFILIATES
6) Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company
8) CONVERGEONE
11) ELLIS HOSPITAL
12) ERICKSON LIVING MANAGEMENT, LLC
14) FORT TICONDEROGA
15) FORTINET, INC. ( FORTINET, INC.)
19) GREATER NEW YORK CITY CHAPTER OF THE ALS ASSOCIATION, INC. (THE)
20) Infosys Public Services, Inc.
21) Intel Americas
22) JCAD Corp.
23) KOCH COMPANIES PUBLIC SECTOR, LLC AND AFFILIATES ( KOCH COMPANIES PUBLIC SECTOR, LLC AND AFFILIATES)
24) Lessing's Hospitality Group
25) LIFESONG, INC.
27) MULTISTATE ASSOCIATES INC. ( MERSCORP HOLDINGS, INC.)
28) MULTISTATE ASSOCIATES INC. ( National Football League)
30) MVP HEALTH CARE, INC. AND ITS AFFILIATES ( MVP HEALTH CARE, INC. AND ITS AFFILIATES)
31) NATIONAL EMPLOYMENT LAWYERS ASSOCIATION / NEW YORK
32) New York Staffing Association ( New York Staffing Association)
34) Redwood Capital Investments LLC ( Allegis Group Inc.)
35) Redwood Capital Investments LLC ( ERICKSON LIVING MANAGEMENT, LLC)
36) Redwood Capital Investments LLC ( RV Retailer, LLC)
40) Teradata Operations, Inc. ( TERADATA GOVERNMENT SYSTEMS LLC, Teradata Operations, Inc.)
41) THE INSTITUTE OF INTERNATIONAL BANKERS, INC.
42) THRIVEE, INC.
44) United Breast Cancer Foundation
49) VMware, Inc.
50) W2LS Corp.
617-226-3869
60 State Street, Suite 1100,, Suite 1100, Boston, MA, 02109,
1) Association of Social Work Boards
2) Avaya LLC
5) Caribbean Integration Community Development, Inc.
8) Cubic Transportation Systems, Inc.
10) Fresenius Medical Care Holdings, Inc.
11) Humane America Animal Foundation
12) International Interior Design Association, New England Chapter
14) Massachusetts Advocates for Children Inc.
15) Massachusetts Association of Health Plans, Inc
20) New England Historic Genealogical Society
22) Notarize, Inc.
23) Opus Inspection Technologies, Inc
24) PLS Financial Services, Inc.
25) Retail Energy Supply Association, Inc.
26) Small Property Owners Association, Inc.
27) Sonesta International Hotels Corporation
28) Stickball, Inc.
29) The Fishing Partnership Health Plan Corporation
30) Transdev North America, Inc.
31) Wellpath Recovery Solutions, LLC
32) WSP USA Inc.
33) Zillow
609-396-8838
160 W State St, Trenton, NJ, 08608,
(904) 806-1714
Po Box 24897, Jacksonville, FL, 32241-4897,
617-226-3880
60 State Street, Suite 1100,, Suite 1100, Boston, MA, 02109,
1) Avaya Inc.
4) Caribbean Integration Community Development, Inc.
6) Cubic Transportation Systems, Inc.
7) Fishing Partnership Health Plan Corporation, The
9) Fresenius Medical Care Holdings, Inc.
10) Groma, LLC
11) Humane America Animal Foundation
12) International Interior Design Association, New England Chapter
13) Major League Soccer Players Union
15) Mass Home Care Association
16) Massachusetts Advocates for Children Inc.
19) Massachusetts Railroad Association
20) National Basketball Players Association
21) National Football League Players Association
22) National Hockey League Players' Association
24) New England Historic Genealogical Society
26) Notarize, Inc.
27) Opus Inspection Technologies, Inc.
28) PLS Financial Services, Inc.
29) Receivables Management Association International
30) Retail Energy Supply Association, Inc.
31) Small Property Owners Association, Inc.
32) Sonesta International Hotels Corporation
33) Transdev North America, Inc.
34) Wellpath Recovery Solutions, LLC
35) WSP USA Inc.
609-396-8838
160 W State St, Trenton, NJ, 08608,
609-396-8838
160 W State St, Trenton, NJ, 08608,
410-990-1010
220 Prince George Street, Annapolis, MD, 21401,
609-396-8838
160 W State St, Trenton, NJ, 08608,
1010 Vermont Avenue, suite 510, Washington, DC, 20005,
614-226-5854
15154 Russell Rd, Chagrin Falls, OH, 44022,
1) AVAYA, Inc.
2) Berkshire Local School District
3) Cascia, LLC dba Lake County Captians
4) Catholic Charities Corporation
10) CoreCivic
11) Encova Mutual Insurance Group
12) Everbridge, Inc.
16) InnoSource
17) International Business Machines Corporation (IBM)
18) JumpStart Inc.
19) Lake Metroparks
20) Negro League Baseball Legends of Fame Inc. d/b/a Baseball Heritage Museum
21) Ohio Information Technology Association
22) Ohio Life Sciences Foundation
23) Ohio Premium Cigar and Pipe Association, Inc.
24) OVP Health
25) PayIt
(512)4781881
1504 San Antonio Street, Austin, TX, 78701,
720-773-1733
110 16th Street, Suite 1400, DENVER, CO, 80202,
1) American Academy of Pediatrics ( AAP)
2) Association of Colorado Centers for Independent Living (ACCIL)
3) Avaya
5) CCRA
6) Children's Hospital Colorado (CHCO)
7) City and County of Broomfield (CCOB)
9) Colorado Association of Medical Equipment Services (CAMES)
10) Colorado Coalition for Responsible Associations (CCRA/HOA)
11) Colorado Independent Automobile Dealer Association (CIADA)
12) Colorado Lawyers Committee (CLC)
13) Colorado Nonprofit Association (CNA)
14) Colorado Radiological Society (CRS)
15) Colorado Society of Anesthesiology (CSA)
16) Colorado Society of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons (CSOMS)
18) Developmental Disabilities Resource Center (DDRC)
22) Early Childhood Council Leadership Alliance (ECCLA)
23) Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO)
25) Junior League of Denver (JLD)
26) Marwood Group Advisory, LLC
27) National Jewish Health (NJH)
28) Northwest Mayors and Commissioners Coalition (NW MCC)
29) Peak Health Alliance (PHA)
30) Pediatrix Medical Group (PMG)
31) Raise the Future
(404) 643-4704
2146 ROSWELL RD., Suite 108-898, MARIETTA, GA, 30062,
617-226-3800
60 State Street, Suite 1100,, Suite 1100, Boston, MA, 02109,
1) Association of Social Work Boards
2) Avaya LLC
5) Caribbean Integration Community Development, Inc.
8) Cubic Transportation Systems, Inc.
10) Fresenius Medical Care Holdings, Inc.
11) Humane America Animal Foundation
12) International Interior Design Association, New England Chapter
14) Massachusetts Advocates for Children Inc.
15) Massachusetts Association of Health Plans, Inc
20) New England Historic Genealogical Society
22) Notarize, Inc.
23) Opus Inspection Technologies, Inc
24) PLS Financial Services, Inc.
25) Retail Energy Supply Association, Inc.
26) Small Property Owners Association, Inc.
27) Sonesta International Hotels Corporation
28) Stickball, Inc.
29) The Fishing Partnership Health Plan Corporation
30) Transdev North America, Inc.
31) Wellpath Recovery Solutions, LLC
32) WSP USA Inc.
33) Zillow
(704) 331-2317
100 N. Tryon Street, Suite 4700, Charlotte, NC, 28202,
609-396-8838
160 W State St, Trenton, NJ, 08608,
202-969-8850
1010 VERMONT AVENUE NW, SUITE 510, WASHINGTON, DC,
4) Avaya, Inc.
5) BOMBARDIER TRANSIT CORPORATION & AFFILIATES
6) Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company
8) CONVERGEONE
11) ELLIS HOSPITAL
12) ERICKSON LIVING MANAGEMENT, LLC
14) FORT TICONDEROGA
15) FORTINET, INC. ( FORTINET, INC.)
19) GREATER NEW YORK CITY CHAPTER OF THE ALS ASSOCIATION, INC. (THE)
20) Infosys Public Services, Inc.
21) Intel Americas
22) JCAD Corp.
23) KOCH COMPANIES PUBLIC SECTOR, LLC AND AFFILIATES ( KOCH COMPANIES PUBLIC SECTOR, LLC AND AFFILIATES)
24) Lessing's Hospitality Group
25) LIFESONG, INC.
27) MULTISTATE ASSOCIATES INC. ( MERSCORP HOLDINGS, INC.)
28) MULTISTATE ASSOCIATES INC. ( National Football League)
30) MVP HEALTH CARE, INC. AND ITS AFFILIATES ( MVP HEALTH CARE, INC. AND ITS AFFILIATES)
31) NATIONAL EMPLOYMENT LAWYERS ASSOCIATION / NEW YORK
32) New York Staffing Association ( New York Staffing Association)
34) Redwood Capital Investments LLC ( Allegis Group Inc.)
35) Redwood Capital Investments LLC ( ERICKSON LIVING MANAGEMENT, LLC)
36) Redwood Capital Investments LLC ( RV Retailer, LLC)
40) Teradata Operations, Inc. ( TERADATA GOVERNMENT SYSTEMS LLC, Teradata Operations, Inc.)
41) THE INSTITUTE OF INTERNATIONAL BANKERS, INC.
42) THRIVEE, INC.
44) United Breast Cancer Foundation
49) VMware, Inc.
50) W2LS Corp.
2029698850
1010 Vermont Avenue, suite 510, Washington, DC, 20005,
609-396-8838
160 W State St, Trenton, NJ, 08608,
1(919) 256-3674
410 North Boylan Street, Suite 98, Raleigh, NC, 27603,
1) AVAYA
777 7th Street, Washington, DC, 20005,
1) AVAYA LLC
202-969-8850
1010 VERMONT AVENUE NW, SUITE 510, WASHINGTON, DC,
4) Avaya, Inc.
5) BOMBARDIER TRANSIT CORPORATION & AFFILIATES
6) Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company
8) CONVERGEONE
11) ELLIS HOSPITAL
12) ERICKSON LIVING MANAGEMENT, LLC
14) FORT TICONDEROGA
15) FORTINET, INC. ( FORTINET, INC.)
19) GREATER NEW YORK CITY CHAPTER OF THE ALS ASSOCIATION, INC. (THE)
20) Infosys Public Services, Inc.
21) Intel Americas
22) JCAD Corp.
23) KOCH COMPANIES PUBLIC SECTOR, LLC AND AFFILIATES ( KOCH COMPANIES PUBLIC SECTOR, LLC AND AFFILIATES)
24) Lessing's Hospitality Group
25) LIFESONG, INC.
27) MULTISTATE ASSOCIATES INC. ( MERSCORP HOLDINGS, INC.)
28) MULTISTATE ASSOCIATES INC. ( National Football League)
30) MVP HEALTH CARE, INC. AND ITS AFFILIATES ( MVP HEALTH CARE, INC. AND ITS AFFILIATES)
31) NATIONAL EMPLOYMENT LAWYERS ASSOCIATION / NEW YORK
32) New York Staffing Association ( New York Staffing Association)
34) Redwood Capital Investments LLC ( Allegis Group Inc.)
35) Redwood Capital Investments LLC ( ERICKSON LIVING MANAGEMENT, LLC)
36) Redwood Capital Investments LLC ( RV Retailer, LLC)
40) Teradata Operations, Inc. ( TERADATA GOVERNMENT SYSTEMS LLC, Teradata Operations, Inc.)
41) THE INSTITUTE OF INTERNATIONAL BANKERS, INC.
42) THRIVEE, INC.
44) United Breast Cancer Foundation
49) VMware, Inc.
50) W2LS Corp.
781-254-3137
60 State Street, Suite 1100,, Suite 1100, Boston, MA, 02109,
1) Association of Social Work Boards
2) Avaya LLC
5) Caribbean Integration Community Development, Inc.
8) Cubic Transportation Systems, Inc.
10) Fresenius Medical Care Holdings, Inc.
11) Humane America Animal Foundation
12) International Interior Design Association, New England Chapter
14) Massachusetts Advocates for Children Inc.
15) Massachusetts Association of Health Plans, Inc
20) New England Historic Genealogical Society
22) Notarize, Inc.
23) Opus Inspection Technologies, Inc
24) PLS Financial Services, Inc.
25) Retail Energy Supply Association, Inc.
26) Small Property Owners Association, Inc.
27) Sonesta International Hotels Corporation
28) Stickball, Inc.
29) The Fishing Partnership Health Plan Corporation
30) Transdev North America, Inc.
31) Wellpath Recovery Solutions, LLC
32) WSP USA Inc.
33) Zillow
609-396-8838
160 W State St, Trenton, NJ, 08608,
609-396-8838
160 W State St, Trenton, NJ, 08608,
