Shalamar Parham joined Cornerstone in January 2025 after serving as a Senior Policy Analyst with GeorgiaLink Public Affairs Group, where she lobbied and advocated on client issues and analyzed legislation to support client needs.

Prior to that, Shalamar served as Policy Manager/Legal Counsel for the Georgia House Democratic Caucus, where she provided policy advice, drafted legislation, and led a team of nine in summarizing over 1,000 bills. Her experience also includes serving as Chief of Staff for former Georgia State Representative Erick Allen (D-GA), overseeing legislative strategies, managing staff, and coordinating with leadership.

In addition to her public policy expertise, Shalamar has an extensive legal background. She worked as the Managing Attorney at her own firm - Parham Law Firm, LLC, where she managed active cases, recruited and developed legal teams, and handled firm operations for more than a decade.

She holds a Juris Doctor from John Marshall Law School and a B.A. in Criminal Justice from Valdosta State University.

20+ years

Russell Westerberg has served in the U.S. Army and the Idaho Legislature. As a former member of the House Revenue & Taxation Committee, Westerberg has been recognized as an industry expert in tax policy. He served as the President of Associated Taxpayers for nine years before establishing Westerberg & Associates in 1987. On behalf of his clients, Westerberg has written and secured the passage of many amendments to Idaho tax, energy, tourism, aviation, liquor, hospitality, natural resource and gambling laws.

Westerberg and his wife Diane are both licensed pilots and aircraft owners. They live in Boise, Idaho and have three grown children and nine grandchildren. Westerberg is a member of AOPA and the Idaho Aviation Association. He serves on the Board of the Governors' Cup, and is a past president of the Boise Gun Club. Both he and Diane enjoy competitive clay target shooting.

Prior to joining K&L Gates, Ms. Diehl served as Deputy Secretary of Legislative Affairs to the Pennsylvania Governor, a senior staff position that involved the development and implementation of legislative strategy intended to advance the Governor's legislative priorities for several state agencies, including the Department of Environmental Protection, the Department of Revenue, the Department of Transportation and the Pennsylvania Lottery. Ms. Diehl was directly and integrally involved in the enactment of several major legislative initiatives, including the historic transportation funding package of 2013, numerous pieces of legislation impacting energy and environmental policies and programs for the state, as well as, significant reforms intended to enhance operations and funding for the Pennsylvania Lottery. She was also directly involved with negotiations with the House of Representatives and the Senate relating to the enactment of the annual General Fund budget and related enactments.

Prior to working in the governor's office, Ms. Diehl served as Director of Legislative Affairs for the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue. During her tenure as Legislative Director, and prior to that, as Assistant Legislative Director, she advocated for legislative priorities related to taxation and the Pennsylvania Lottery, including significant business tax reform packages that dramatically changed state tax administration and tax compliance.

Before joining the Department of Revenue, Ms. Diehl worked in a senior staff capacity for the House Democratic Caucus. Her responsibilities included monitoring House floor activities and advising House Democratic Leadership in message development and legislative strategy.

Sally Kilpatrick advises a diverse set of clients on state legislative and regulatory issues with a focus on healthcare, energy, education and economic development policy. Sally joined Cornerstone's Atlanta, Georgia office in September 2015 and has more than 10 years of experience providing strategic advice to the private sector.

Prior to joining Cornerstone, Sally served as vice president of government affairs at the Georgia Chamber of Commerce, the state's largest business advocacy organization. Through her seven-year tenure at the Chamber, Sally developed an extensive background managing legislative and regulatory issues in the policy areas of water, energy, education, economic development and health care. While at the Chamber, Sally served on the Technology Association of Georgia's Government Affairs Taskforce and the Georgia Water Alliance. She managed the Georgia Chamber's Local Chamber Legislative Ad Hoc Committee and legislative affairs for Chamber's Small Business Advisory Council.

She has established strong, bipartisan working relationships with House and Senate members of the Georgia General Assembly and state agency officials. Her industry specific knowledge and key relationships have been valuable in assisting clients to successfully achieve their legislative and regulatory objectives at the state Capitol.

Sally is a current board member of Atlanta Moms Making A Difference and serves on the executive committee of the Georgia Chamber's Government Affairs Council.

Sally earned her B.S. in Journalism at Appalachian State University in Boone, North Carolina. She and her husband Trey reside in Atlanta with their daughter, Phen, and son, Clark.

Brendan Fox joined Gaffney, Bennett & Associates in March, 2003 and is a partner in The Law Offices of Jay F. Malcynsky, P.C., an affiliated entity. He provides administrative and legal counsel to many of our firm's clients. Prior to joining the firm, Brendan served as the Executive Director of the Capital City Economic Development Authority, a quasi-public state authority established in July, 1998 to spearhead the development of the "Six Pillars" project in the downtown Hartford area and in surrounding neighborhoods of Hartford. Brendan also served as Deputy Chief of Staff and Legal Counsel to Governor John G. Rowland in his first term.

He currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Connecticut Institute for the Blind/Oak Hill. He also is a fellow the American Leadership Forum.

Brendan is a 1986 graduate of the College of the Holy Cross, and a 1989 graduate of Western New England Law School, where he was Editor-in-Chief of the Law Review. Upon graduation, he served as Law Clerk to Bankruptcy Judge Robert Krechevsky, and was an associate at the Hartford law firm of Murtha, Cullina, Richter and Pinney.

20+ years

Led the passage of legislation to provide for Ready to Go Drinks in grocery stores, convenience stores and restaurant licensees.

Secured funding for the 15 Community Colleges including passage of the State Board of Higher Education.

Led the passage of legislation to provide for the addition of the federal judiciary in the Pennsylvania Protective Class Law.

Worked to advance client's legislative goals in the reauthorization of the Commonwealth's One Call System.

C&G Strategies has focused its practice on working both sides of the aisle. We have relationships in all four Caucus Leadership Teams

Co-Founder/General Counsel

Tony has dedicated his entire career to government relations, representing a variety of corporations and non-profit organizations from across the Commonwealth. An effective advocate, his experience and reputation helps make connections between his clients and policy makers. Tony is an active and well-respected participant in the legislative process in Harrisburg. Tony is known for his tireless work ethic and his ability to bring together stakeholders on any issue to find commonalities and work together. His expertise lies in government relations, legislative strategy, political action committee (PAC) regulation, and lobbying regulation. Tony is also a frequent continuing legal education (CLE) presenter.

Patrick Love joined Cornerstone in January 2025 after serving as an Attorney Analyst for the Georgia Senate Office of Policy and Legislative Analysis, where he supported standing committees by reviewing all assigned legislation, advising chairs on parliamentary procedures and conducting requested research for senators, leadership and staff.

Prior to that, Patrick served as a Budget and Policy Analyst for the Georgia House Budget and Research Office where he staffed the House Appropriations Higher Education Subcommittee which oversees the state's universities, colleges and scholarship programs. In that role, he also staffed the House standing committees on Defense and Veteran Affairs and Science and Technology. Patrick's experiences also include serving as a Legal Services Worker for the Georgia Department of Human Services, Legal Extern for the Georgia Department of Law and Legal Extern for Georgia Senate Office of the Democratic Leader.

He holds a Juris Doctor from Georgia State University College of Law and a B.A. in Political Science from University of Texas at Dallas.

15-20 years

Steve Wise joined the Firm in 2002 and became a partner in 2008. Early in his career with the Firm he was recognized by the The Gazette as one of the "Rising Stars" of the State House lobbying corps, and he has consistently ranked among the top earning lobbyists in Annapolis since that time.

Steve represents a diverse group of clients before the General Assembly and State agencies, including trade associations and companies in the alcoholic beverage, insurance, gaming, health care, telecommunications and environmental industries.

Mr. Wise's legal practice focuses on administrative law and regulatory matters. He has appeared before the Liquor Boards in 16 of Maryland's 24 jurisdictions and before the Office of the Comptroller, representing alcoholic beverage licensees on licensing and enforcement matters. Steve also represents health care professionals in licensing and disciplinary proceedings before the Board of Physicians, insurance producers and premium finance companies before the Insurance Administration, and has represented maritime-related industries before the Department of Natural Resources. Steve has appeared in many of the State's Circuit Courts, and litigated cases both before the Court of Special Appeals and Court of Appeals.

Steve received his Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science in 1991 and his Masters degree in Public Administration in 1994, both from Florida State University. He graduated cum laude from the University Of Baltimore School Of Law in 2001, and he is admitted to the Maryland State Bar as well as the U.S. District Court for Maryland. Mr. Wise was born and raised on Maryland's Eastern Shore in Denton, and now resides in Annapolis with his wife Amy and twin sons.

Lawrence Bell joined Cornerstone in February 2023 from Sen. Warnock's (D-GA) office where he served as Deputy Chief of Staff and Senior Advisor. Lawrence joined the Senator's office after serving as an Advisor and Chief of Staff for the Warnock for Georgia Senatorial campaign in the 2020 special election. His leadership role on that campaign led to a historic victory electing the state's first Black United States senator.

Prior to joining the Warnock campaign, Lawrence worked in the Atlanta office of a large law and lobbying firm. There, he represented some of the country's largest corporations, working with state and local elected officials to help shape public policy and regulations across a variety of industries. His role at the firm also included community engagement, helping the organization develop and implement its philanthropic strategy to maximize the firm's impact in the community.

Lawrence has volunteered with numerous organizations including Big Brother Big Sister, Yes Atlanta and Urban League of Greater Atlanta-Young Professionals, among others. He has served on the advisory board for the Young Adult Guidance Center, and the Atlanta Chapter of National Black MBA. He also served on the board for Groundwork Atlanta, a non-profit focused on environmental sustainability and was a Trustee at Ebenezer Baptist Church, where he is still a member. Lawrence was recognized in Southern Journal Magazine as one of their 14 under 40. He received his master's from Georgia State University and his bachelor's from Clark Atlanta University.

20+ years

TOM MCBRIDE has advocated for groups and organizations that depend on fair and reasonable treatment under the law for more than 20 years. He has developed a reputation as an effective lobbyist, founded on high ethical standards, aggressive advocacy and personal authenticity.

Tom began his career as a private practice attorney representing commercial and financial interests, with a focus on commercial litigation and bankruptcy law. He went on to serve as government affairs director for fiscal and transportation issues on behalf of the Association of Washington Business, Washington state's chamber of commerce. He then directed the government relations program for the West division of the McDonald's Corporation.

Tom also has firsthand experience working within Washington state government. As director of intergovernmental affairs for the Washington State Department of Community, Trade, and Economic Development, he oversaw regulatory and legislative interests in energy, economic development, housing, international trade and growth management.

In 2008, he founded McBride Public Affairs, to advocate for clients on legislative and regulatory matters in Washington state.

A 1994 graduate of Gonzaga University School of Law, Tom holds a bachelor's degree in Political Science from Whitman College. He and his family make their home in Olympia.

20+ years

James M. Demers is the founder of The Demers Group and Demers, Blaisdell Inc., he presently serves as President & CEO of Demers, Blaisdell & Prasol Inc. Mr. Demers is a former member of the New Hampshire House of Representatives and former congressional candidate. He has over 40 years of experience in the legislative, regulatory and political fields. He has been a political commentator for numerous media outlets including ABC News, CNN, MSNBC, Fox News as well as NH news stations WMUR-TV, WBIN-TV and New England Cable News. He has been actively involved in advising presidential campaigns, serving as co-chairman of President Barack Obama's NH campaign in 2008. He presently serves on the advisory board of the NH Institute of Politics at St. Anselm College, chairman of the NH International Trade Advisory Commission and he is a "political insider" for Politico and the National Journal. He was nominated by President Obama and confirmed by the US Senate to serve on the Board of Directors of the Overseas Private Investment Corporation, which is the country's development financial institution. He has been recognized by numerous state and national publications as one of New Hampshire's "most influential" and "most powerful" people. He is a graduate of the University of Miami (FL) and he holds an MBA from Southern New Hampshire University. He served three terms in the NH House where he served as the Assistant Minority Whip. He has also served as President and Executive Director of the New England-New York-New Jersey Financial Services Association and the National Card Coalition after doing corporate government affairs work for two national financial services companies. He is a resident of Concord, NH.

MICHAEL D. HILLERBY is the Director of Legislative Affairs for the Firm. He is a graduate of the University of Nevada Reno. Michael has been lobbying in Nevada since 1991, and has extensive experience with the Nevada Legislature, a variety of regulatory boards and commissions, as well as county and local governments. His practice includes lobbying, strategic guidance, public affairs and procurement processes for clients in the healthcare, insurance, financial services, manufacturing, design and real estate development industries, retail, telecommunications, utility and automotive manufacturing sectors, among others. He served as a cabinet member and Chief of Staff for former Nevada Governor Kenny Guinn. Michael is the Vice-Chair of the Western States Arts Federation, former Chairman of the Nevada Museum of Art Board of Trustees, and is on the Friends of the Nevada Governor's Mansion Board. He has been appointed by three different governors to the Nevada Commission of Cultural Affairs.

20+ years

Jay F. Malcynsky, Esq., is the co-founder and managing partner of Gaffney, Bennett and Associates, Inc. Jay is also a practicing attorney licensed in Connecticut and Washington, D.C., and is the founder and managing partner of The Law Offices of Jay F. Malcynsky, P.C. In these capacities, Jay has distinguished himself as one of the most knowledgeable, highly respected, and capable professionals in the fields of government relations and political consulting, as well as administrative law. At the state Capitol, clients and legislators frequently call upon Jay's skills in negotiating agreements, forging alliances, and coordinating crisis management. Under his leadership, Gaffney, Bennett and Associates has mounted a record of success unsurpassed in Connecticut.

Jay has been an active and longtime political strategist. Prior to establishing the firm, Jay managed U.S. Congressman Stewart B. McKinney's political campaigns in 1980 and 1982. He also managed the re-election bids of U.S. Congresswoman Nancy Johnson and U.S. Senator Lowell P. Weicker, in 1984 and 1988, respectively. In 2000, Jay served as campaign manager for Bush for President in Connecticut, and was among the lead attorneys representing the Bush campaign during the Florida recount effort.

He is currently vice chairman of the Board of Directors of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston, and serves on the Boards of Directors of The UConn Foundation, the Nutmeg State Games, and Connecticut Legal Services.

After graduating from law school, Jay served as a trial attorney in the Office of Civil Rights at the U.S. Department of Education in Washington, D.C. He also served as an attorney for the U.S. House of Representatives.

20+ years

We are a lobbying firm providing one-stop services for our clients.

One critical achievement was the passage of legislation which amended the statute governing the Charter County Transportation Surtax, now called the Charter County and Regional Transportation System Surtax. The change allowed all charter counties in Florida to utilize this funding mechanism, via referendum. JEJ & Associates' strategy was to cultivate legislative sponsors in each of the chambers, while simultaneously working with other groups, such as Polk County, to develop a coalition of supporters. After securing sponsors, Lena worked with legislators to explain the priority and its importance for transit agencies. JEJ & Associates developed written materials, coordinated testimony before legislative committees and monitored opponents' activities for parliamentary maneuvers which could affect the outcome. This legislative change was approved and became law.

A Central Florida commercial airport was experiencing a problem with multitudes of birds which interfered with airline traffic due to the inherent dangers of bird strikes. Lena initiated discussions with local legislators, worked with committee staff to write the bill, found sponsors in both chambers, educated legislators on the issue, worked with committee chairs to ensure that the bill would be heard in the referenced committees, visited legislators prior to the bill reaching the chamber floors, and pushed for the governor to sign the bill into law once it was passed. As a result of this, the Airline Safety and Wildlife Protection Act became Florida law and has since served as model legislation for other states on how to deal with the issue.

Lena has been appointed to numerous state-wide boards by current and former Senate Presidents and House Speakers.

Lena Juarez is the founder of JEJ & Associates, a governmental consulting firm with offices in Tallahassee, FL and Orlando, FL. She is a graduate of Sophie Newcomb Memorial College of Tulane University and the Reubin O'D. Askew School of Public Administration and Policy at Florida State University.

Lena has been active in politics since a very young age and has served on many local and statewide boards. She has been appointed to numerous statewide boards by current and former Senate Presidents and House Speakers.Lena is a graduate of Leadership Tallahassee and Leadership Florida, which are programs of the local and state Chamber of Commerce. Lena is a member of the Florida Association of Professional Lobbyists.

Lena is a Central Florida native, competes in triathlons and is an avid traveler.

Jeff Hamling joined Cornerstone in 2017, bringing a wealth of experience and relationships in Atlanta, Georgia. Jeff came to the firm after two years as a lobbyist in Dentons' Atlanta and Washington offices where he represented a number of corporate, governmental, and non-profit clients.

Prior to Dentons, Jeff worked at the Georgia Chamber of Commerce as vice president for state and federal affairs. Jeff joined the Chamber after serving then-Congressman Tom Price for over five years. Starting as a staff assistant, Jeff was quickly promoted to deputy chief of staff, overseeing the Atlanta office and various aspects of the federal legislative staff.

Jeff has also been recognized by prestigious organizations for professional accomplishments: profiled in Capitol Impact Magazine's People on the Move, "Rookie of the Year" award voted on by his peers in the Georgia lobbying community, and James Magazine's Georgia's Political Influencers in Washington, D.C.

15-20 years

Charles Schneider is a senior advisor in Bradley's Governmental Affairs Practice Group. He is an experienced lobbyist and a former campaign operative with over 20 years of political campaign and policy experience.

Prior to joining the firm, Charles served as vice president of Public Policy for the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce, where he worked to improve processes and advance public policy initiatives. He previously served as the CEO of the Home Builders Association of Tennessee, chief lobbyist for the Tennessee Chamber of Commerce & Industry, and as a legislative liaison for Gov. Bill Haslam.

Charles has worked across the Southeast and in Washington, D.C., on both political campaigns and as a policy analyst. He has worked for U.S. senators, governors, congressmen, and congresswomen, as well as served as a general consultant to hundreds of legislative and local candidates in Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Virginia and, of course, Tennessee. Many of Charles' closest relationships were developed supporting Tennessee's senators and representatives during their first campaigns.

20+ years

Jason Webb's often heard motto is "You must educate before you can advocate." He believes that policy makers are invariably dependent on concise and accurate information. While the introduction of those conversations is the foundation for advocacy, it's the ongoing discussion and exchange of ideas that tend to build success in the long run.

"If you can reduce complicated matters down to their core principles, then individuals will usually have a better chance of understanding them. Greater comprehension brings with it the likelihood that people will consider different perspectives on an issue. By increasing diverse viewpoints, we can collectively solve complex problems," he says.

For over two decades, Webb has worked in government relations, serving a diverse range of clients that include Fortune 500 companies, trade associations and non-profit corporations. His proficiency includes economic development, environment, finance, healthcare, insurance, natural resources, professional licensure, taxes and technology.

The son of a coal miner, Webb understands the adage that there is no substitute for hard work. He worked his way through college, completed internships at Merrill Lynch and a trading firm on the Chicago Board Options Exchange and worked with the Senior PGA Tour.

Webb received his Bachelor in Business Administration in finance and political science from the Gatton College of Business and Economics at the University of Kentucky.

20+ years

Led the passage of legislation to provide for Ready to Go Drinks in grocery stores, convenience stores and restaurant licensees.

Secured funding for the 15 Community Colleges including passage of the State Board of Higher Education.

Led the passage of legislation to provide for the addition of the federal judiciary in the Pennsylvania Protective Class Law.

Worked to advance client's legislative goals in the reauthorization of the Commonwealth's One Call System.

C&G Strategies has focused its practice on working both sides of the aisle. We have relationships in all four Caucus Leadership Teams

Co-Founder/Chief Financial Officer

With over two decades of executive experience, Rob's career has placed him at the highest level of local and state government. As a public affairs professional, he has shaped public policy and legislation for clients in non-profit organizations, for-profit companies, trade associations, unions, and more. Rob provides individualized services that support clients' specific needs and has successfully represented clients in a variety of sectors. Whether navigating state or local government, facilitating introductions with decision makers, working with stakeholders, or developing and executing strategies, he is focused on allowing each individual client to meet their goals.