6-10 years

A native of Michigan's rugged, beautiful Upper Peninsula, Matt joined Karoub Associates in 2011 after serving eight years on legislative staff for a former State Senator and Senate Minority Leader. He holds degrees from Western Michigan University, Gogebic Community College, and is a 2005 Fellow of the Michigan Political Leadership Program (MPLP) at Michigan State University.

An avid golfer, musician, and NASCAR enthusiast, Matt and his wife Rebecca reside with their son in Okemos.

Will Farrell serves as Director of State and Municipal Affairs at William A. Farrell & Associates LLC. As a registered lobbyist, he brings a unique integrated set of government and municipal skills, representing clients before the Rhode Island General Assembly, as well as state and local regulatory agencies. His expertise encompasses the financial services, real estate development, pharmaceutical and telecommunications industries. Prior to entering the private sector, Will worked in Washington, DC for Senator Ted Kennedy, in Manhattan administering the Fulbright Scholarship on behalf of the US State Department, and more recently as Director of Municipal Affairs for Providence Mayor Angel Taveras. In addition to his lobbying practice, Will has also managed several local campaigns and ballot referendums.

Will is a 2006 graduate of Northeastern University.

Richard F. Conway ("Fritz") , a partner in the firm, joined Gaffney, Bennett and Associates in 1989. He developed his strong political acumen while serving as a political staffer in Hartford and Washington, D.C. He served as senior staff member and advisor to House Republican Leaders Robert Jaekle and Edward Krawiecki, Jr., in Hartford, and as a legislative aide and finance director for U.S. Congressman Stewart B. McKinney in the early 1980s.

As a lobbyist, Fritz has earned great respect for his command and thorough understanding of the election and legislative processes. He provides expert advice to and lobbies on behalf of numerous clients, including Fortune 500 companies, nonprofits, financial institutions, and small- to medium-size manufacturers. His areas of expertise include tax and budget policy, manufacturing, energy, telecommunications, banking, transportation, and regulatory matters.

Michael C. Doyle, an accomplished government affairs professional, offering years of professional achievement, joined Gaffney, Bennett and Associates in 2014. Mike offers clients a depth of insight, strategic advice and analysis that has continuously helped clients succeed in lobbying important issues before the executive branches of state government and the Connecticut General Assembly.Mike's background as screening clerk for the House Democrats, legislative aide, political advisor, campaign manager and Senior Policy Aide to the Speaker of the House has been a critical asset to clients who require an understanding of the intricacies of the legislative process as well as the political optics.Prior to joining Gaffney, Bennett and Associates, Mike worked close to 10 years as a lobbyist for a longtime, prominent lobbying firm in Hartford. Mike has wide-ranging experience representing the interests of major corporations, trade associations, organizations and municipalities in the areas of health care, energy, telecommunications, insurance, and consumer products.

Patricia A. Octeau serves as Senior Director at William A. Farrell & Associates LLC, representing a variety of clients before the Rhode Island General Assembly. As a registered lobbyist, she represents clients in the financial services, telecommunications, healthcare policy, information technology and workers compensation areas. She is responsible for complying with the various lobby registrations and mandatory legislative/executive lobby reports on behalf of the Firm's clients and is involved with the Firm's local and state activities at both the legislative and executive branch levels. Ms. Octeau has over 20 years of experience in the government relations and strategy arena.

Ms. Octeau is a 1980 graduate of Bryant University.

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.

Thomas Prasol serves as the Managing Director for Demers, Blaisdell & Prasol Inc. He has been providing strategy, lobbying, and association management for clients since 2011. He brings a myriad of experience in State and Federal government beginning his professional career as a Project Assistant to U.S. Senator Judd Gregg and as Policy and Field Coordinator for several State and Federal campaigns. In 2008 he transitioned to the position of Project Director for Senator Gregg where he handled federal appropriations in the areas of first responders. Upon Senator Gregg's retirement, he moved to the New Hampshire State Senate where he was a Legislative Aide to the Senate Education Committee. With his experience in federal and state government, Mr. Prasol brings another dimension to the firm in areas of strategy, management of special projects, and government affairs implementation. He continues to bring his experience and knowledge to assist State and Federal campaigns with strategy and policy research. In addition to his work for Demers, Blaisdell & Prasol, he serves on the Town Planning Board and has previously served as Chair of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board in his local community He received his Bachelor's degree in Politics from Saint Anselm College where he served as an Ambassador to the New Hampshire Institute of Politics, and his Master's degree in Criminal Justice from Boston University. He currently resides in Hooksett, NH with his fiance' Maria and two dogs Zeus and Tyson.