6-10 years

WV Kids Count Board of Directors, WV Community Action Partnership Board of Directors, 15+ years of non-profit work, 10+ years of legislative experience.

I served as a budget and policy analyst for the Speaker and Majority Leader of the West Virginia House of Delegates, and the House Finance Committee. I also served as a research analyst for several joint legislative committees, including the Joint Committee on Government and Finance. I served as a policy/budget advisor to the House of Delegates Minority Office. I provided advice, account management analysis and development of public policy relating to the state budget, public education, education and the arts, health, human services, energy, commerce, tourism, and other policy issues. I gave guidance and oversight on legislative rules, and proposed legislation for consistency with the legislative budget and proposed policies. I served on the House of Delegates Redistricting Committee, House of Delegates/Senate Budget Conference Committee. In addition, I served as director of legislative services for the Department of Health and Human Resources and as senior policy analyst in the Office of the Governor.

Melanie has 15 + years of working in Executive/Leadership capacities with nonprofits and government relations industry. Ares of specialties include Politics, Policy Analysis and Development, Legislative Bill Tracking and Rule Making Process, Government Budgeting, Direct Lobbying, Event Planning, Nonprofit Management, Negotiations, Association Management, and Government Procurement.

Melanie is a strong professional with a Master of Arts (M.A.) from Marshall University and a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) from Fairmont State University

15-20 years

Jimmy has been a government relations specialist with the Law Office of Philip A. Reale since 2004. A fixture at the State Capitol since 1992, when he was elected as the youngest member to the 71st West Virginia Legislature at the age of 25.

Jimmy's political prowess is unmatched in West Virginia. He routinely fields calls from candidates seeking his advice and expertise regarding messaging, voting trends and issues of importance to the general public. Jimmy's keen strategic thinking is also of great value at the state capitol, as he is able to create messaging that resonates with members. Jimmy counts several legislative leaders as his close personal friends and clients benefit from his relationships with legislators and executive agency staff alike, as well as his knowledge of the legislative process.

However, Jimmy's greatest gift is friendly demeanor. Though certainly skilled at fervently debating on a client's behalf, Jimmy is sincerely kind to everyone he encounters. His high profile stable of friends and his genuine likeability make him a powerful ally at the statehouse.

Before joining the Law Office of Philip A. Reale, Jimmy served as the Executive Director of the Gilmer County Economic Development Association (GCEDA) for ten years and was responsible for a large number of development projects including the location of a $130 million dollar medium-security Federal Correctional Institution in Gilmer County, employing nearly four hundred people. In order for the prison project to be completed, Jimmy led community efforts to secure grant funding from the federal and state government to provide the necessary infrastructure to the proposed location.

Jimmy lives in Weston with his wife Ronne Dee and their three children.

11-15 years

A native of Buckhannon, West Virginia, Frank Hartman received his B.A. in American Studies (an American Literature and American History combined program) at The Evergreen State College in Olympia, Washington. Upon graduation, he was selected as a Teach for America corps member and served a full two year term as a fourth grade teacher in Baldwin, Louisiana.Accepted at the West Virginia University College of Law, Frank deferred his enrollment to become the statewide field coordinator for the 1996 Joe Manchin for Governor Campaign.After graduating from WVU, he clerked for the Honorable Thomas H. Keadle, Chief Judge of the 26th Judicial Circuit, and then established a family law firm in his home town of Buckhannon. While at Hartman & Hartman, he managed an extensive civil and criminal caseload. Five years into practicing law, Frankreceived a gubernatorial appointment to the West Virginia Insurance Commission as the Consumer Advocate. There he was responsible for the prosecution of consumer complaints in administrative hearings and for monitoring hospital rate filings and certificate of need applications.Hartman served as Consumer Advocate until joining the Charleston law firm of Lewis, Glasser, Casey & Rollins, where he had the opportunity to work with some of the most experienced lawyers in the valley. At Lewis Glasser, Frank litigated real estate, tort, contract, and election law in state court and was a registered lobbyist for business and civil rights interests in West Virginia. Frank is also the founding member of Hartman Law & Government Affairs, PLLC, focusing on litigation, administrative and election law, and criminal defense. A graduate of the 2009 class of Leadership West Virginia, he is a former member of the West Virginia Chamber of Commerce Government Relations Committee and former chairman of the Upshur County Democratic Party and current member of the West Virginia Advisory Committee to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights.

20+ years

Chad D. Robinson owner of the government relations and consulting firm, Robinson Capitol Consulting, Inc (RCC). Mr. Robinson has worked within the government relations capacity since 1999, and actively been involved in more than 25 Legislative Sessions.

Chad graduated from Shepherd College in Shepherdstown WV in 1996 with a degree in Political Science and Economics. He earned his Master's Degree from West Virginia University in 1999 with a Masters of Legal Studies.

RCC represents state and local associations and businesses in West Virginia.

Association management is one of Mr. Robinson's passions, providing leadership, legislative expertise, and helping to reach professional goals within the Association. This passion assures members are protected and succeed in professional goals and strategic growth.

Playing a key role in successful legislation, Mr. Robinson has directed lobbying efforts for the Associations and the clients he represents for 19 years. His presence at the State Capitol during the Legislative Sessions and Interim meetings has developed relationships with Legislators and staff members which successfully benefit those he represents.

Chad's experience also includes WV Senate Senior Legislative Analyst and WV Attorney General Consumer Protection agent. These positions provided him knowledge regarding professional legislation, and working with WV consumers, community organizations, businesses and local government regarding Consumer Protection.

Chad is active in his local community where he resides with his wife and 2 children and serves as Charleston WV city councilman. Chad accepts challenges head with professionalism, knowledge and expertise.

"Challenges are what make life interesting and overcoming them is what makes life meaningful." -Joshua J. Martin

6-10 years

A native of Glenville, West Virginia, Sarah A. Smith received a B.A. in History and Political Science with a minor in Public Administration from Glenville State College in 2001. Upon graduation, she made her way to Morgantown, WV to attend the West Virginia University College of Law.

After graduating from law school in 2004, Smith decided to pursue her love of politics and began working for newly elected Governor Joe Manchin III. Smith began her career in government relations during her nearly six (6) years in the Manchin Administration. Her primary role was to act as a liaison between the Legislative Branch and the Executive branch of West Virginia.

In 2010, Smith decided to pursue her Masters in Business Administration and earned that while continuing to work for Manchin. She completed the Executive MBA program from the University of Charleston and soon after took a position with Alpha Natural Resources as its Director of Government and External Affairs. Smith managed all state government interactions and messaging for the Virginia based coal company, including planning and executing a legislative agenda and representing the interests of the company to a wide variety of constituents, both political and otherwise.

The opportunity to work for her Alma Mater motived Smith to take the role of Associate Vice President of State and Local Relations for West Virginia University in late 2013. There she acted as the primary point of contact for WVU with state government leaders and worked to advocate for the interests of WVU in Charleston.

Smith is currently the Executive Vice President of SLS Land & Energy Development, a family business founded by her father in 1978. She is taking a leadership role as part of a succession plan as her father nears retirement. Her expertise and background in the legislative process and state government still drives her to practice government relations with Hartman, Harman and Cosco.

Smith services on the Board of Directors for the West Virginia Chamber of Commerce, Leadership WV and Vision Shared. She is also an Elder at the First Presbyterian Church of Charleston, WV.

11-15 years

Chairman, WV Utilities, Telecommunications and Energy Coalition Leadership West Virginia Class of 2012
Purple Ribbon Award, WV Coalition Against Domestic Violence

Member of West Virginia Chamber of Commerce
Member, WV Utilities, Telecommunications & Energy Coalition
Member West Virginia Press Association
Member WV Business & Industry Council
Member Gas & Oil Assoc. of West Virginia

Scott Cosco was Manager of Governmental and External Affairs for Frontier Communications, a publicly held telecommunications company. He worked with public officials on telecommunications and broadband matters.

Prior to working for Frontier, Scott served in several capacities for Governor Joe Manchin, now a member of the United States Senate. As Director of Intergovernmental Affairs for Governor Manchin, Scott researched prospective state board and commission members on behalf of the Governor and followed through with more than 2,000 appointments. He also was Governor Manchin's state representative for the National Governors Association and Southern Governors Association.

Scott also worked for Senator Manchin when he was West Virginia Secretary of State, helping register 41,000 high school seniors to vote. Before entering government service, Scott was Director of Marketing and Creative Services for six of his 10 years at WOWK-TV in the Charleston/Huntington market.

Scott earned his bachelor's degree in communications from Marshall University.

20+ years

The firm's namesake, Phil Reale is an attorney and government relations consultant who has more than 40 years of experience representing clients in the courtroom and all levels of government. Phil has vast experience in a myriad of public policy areas ranging from oil and gas matters, healthcare policy, gaming and lottery laws in multiple jurisdictions around the U. S., economic development, alcohol policy, and e-government.

Phil is a 1977 graduate of the West Virginia University College of Law. He has been an active member of the Independent Oil and Gas Association of West Virginia, including one term as president of the organization and at all times an effective coordinator of public policy and legislative affairs for the industry in West Virginia. He served on the Board of Directors of Alliance Petroleum Corporation, an exploration and production company with operations in Ohio, West Virginia and Pennsylvania. He also served as the Independent Oil and Gas Association representative to Governor Tomblin's Natural Gas Vehicle Task Force. He is often found on the editorial pages of state newspapers offering comments on various issues confronting state government.

He rose to prominence in statewide political circles when in 1988, he chaired the transition team for incoming West Virginia Governor, Gaston Caperton and ultimately served as his Chief of Staff. This role led him into a career of helping guide clients through legislative and government processes. He has served the state in a variety of capacities including that of its representative to the Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission for which he served as its Vice Chairman. Additionally, he Co-Chaired the Higher Education Advocacy Team and championed a higher education reform effort, served two terms as Chairman of the State College System of West Virginia Board of Directors, served on the West Virginia Judicial Investigation Commission, the West Virginia Educational Broadcasting Authority, the West Virginia Prepaid College Tuition Trust Fund Board of Directors and has held leadership positions in various political and civic organizations. He is the recipient of two Distinguished West Virginian Awards of Public Service.

Phil has routinely left his mark on statewide political campaigns over his many years of involvement in West Virginia politics and is often consulted by candidates seeking assistance with political strategies.

In addition to being a past Chairman of Special Olympics of West Virginia, Phil maintains an active role in the stewardship of several charitable organizations. Phil is the current Chairman of the West Virginia Golf Hall of Fame, a member of the West Virginia Golf Association Executive Committee and currently serves the organization as its vice-president and chair of its Long Term Planning Committee, and serves on the Leadership Council of the West Virginia University Cancer Institute.

In his spare time, Phil enjoys playing golf and supporting West Virginia Mountaineer athletics.

6-10 years

Joining the Law Office of Philip A. Reale in June 2017, Philip A. Reale, II, is the most recent addition to the firm. A 2010 graduate of the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill School of Law, Philip is an experienced litigator and general practice attorney who has represented clients across a broad spectrum of practice areas. He now focuses his practice on helping clients who are injured due to the negligence of others, as well as clients who have been wrongfully terminated or discriminated against in the workplace. Additionally, whether negotiating lease agreements, or litigating quiet title actions, Philip helps clients concerning a variety of oil and gas matters.

Prior to his transition to the Law Office of Philip A. Reale, Philip was an attorney at a the largest litigation firm in West Virginia, primarily engaged in defense litigation, representing employers in claims filed by employees for workplace injuries and wrongful discharge. His work has also included defense of newspapers in defamation actions, oil and natural gas contract matters, defense of automobile makers in products liability actions, prosecution of automobile accident cases, business formations and other various matters. His experience as a defense litigator provides him a unique perspective in assisting clients as he has the ability to evaluate cases from every angle to produce positive outcomes.

Philip also has a stellar record before the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals, having successfully represented multiple clients before West Virginia's highest court. In addition to his law degree, Philip also holds an M.B.A. from East Carolina University ('07).

In addition to being an accomplished attorney, Philip is one of the top amateur golfers in West Virginia, and competes regularly throughout the U.S. in top amateur golf tournaments.

In his spare time, Philip enjoys West Virginia Mountaineer athletics and spending time with his wife, Abby, and their daughter Eddison.

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.

11-15 years

PRSA WV Chapter Practitioner of the Year - 2022

State Journal Generation Next 40 Under 40 - 2021

WV Executive Magazine Young Gun - 2018

PRSA WV Chapter Young Professional of the Year - 2012

Leadership West Virginia Class of 2013

Leadership Kanawha Valley Class of 2015

Coffman has won multiple PRSA WV Crystal Awards for public affairs, community relations, branding, reputation risk management, and media relations.

Coffman Collaborative is a full-service firm providing you the most advance knowledge of the legislative process during and outside session. We provide comprehensive monthly reports, real-time updates, support message development, organize bill tracking, establish legislative relationships and more. Our firm focuses on industrial clients in the economic development, technology, manufacturing and energy sectors. We understand the technical nature of these business and communicate effectively to policymakers.

We are, at the core, is a communications firm. We tailor your strategy to meet your outcomes. We dedicate time in researching who you are and your goals to be obtained. Our approach is to never give you a cookie-cutter plan. We focus on governmental affairs, public affairs, issue management, polling development, crisis communications, media relations, corporate responsibility plans, community relations, external/internal stakeholder engagement and much more.

Rachel Coffman is the President and Founder of Coffman Collaborative LLC. With over 12 years of experience in public relations and public policy strategic execution, Rachel has proven to set expectations and deliver results. She serves the needs of the firm's clients ranging from multi-national companies, trade associations, and nonprofits. Coffman serves as the co-chair for the WV Manufacturers Association governmental affairs committee and is a member of the West Virginia Chamber of Commerce's governmental relations, economic development and environmental committees.

Coffman received her M.B.A. from University of Charleston in 2011 and was a magna cum laude graduate of Marshall University's W. Page Pitt School of Journalism and Mass Communications concentrating in public relations (2008). In 2019, Coffman completed a graduate certificate in Business, International Relations and the Political Economy from the London School of Economics. Coffman has completed her certifications from the Public Relations Society of America in crisis communications and reputation risk management. Also, she holds the following FEMA Emergency Management Institute certifications:
- IS-29.a: Public Information Officer Awareness
- IS-42: Social Media in Emergency Management
- IS-100.b: Introduction to Incident Command System (ICS)