HEATHER SHOULDICE joined William Shouldice & Associates in 2005 and became President in 2009. Prior to joining the firm, Heather was a member of the House of Representatives in the Vermont General Assembly where she served on the House Ways & Means Committee. This assignment gave her the privilege of obtaining firsthand knowledge of Vermont's tax system. Heather's successes have been the direct result of developing relationships in a true tri-partisan manner, making lasting relationships. She is known as a consensus builder and has brought this valuable skill to the firm.

Through her expansive experience, Heather directs planning and implementation of custom designed legislative strategies for their clients. These strategies include issue research and monitoring, constituency management, briefings for various audiences including government decision-makers outside the Legislature, preparing expert testimony and ensuring the client is in the right place at the right time.

0-5 years

Leadership Iowa Graduate

Nick is an experienced government relations, public affairs, and public relations professional with a successful history of executing lobbying and issue campaigns. He began his journey in the political arena at a young age and has had the opportunity to work a number of political campaigns at the local, state, congressional, and even presidential level.

Nick's career has included leading extensive public affairs issue campaigns, communications and public relations efforts, and marketing campaigns across the Midwest and country influencing state and federal policymakers and garnering media attention. He also spent a couple of sessions being fully immersed in the legislative process while working for a committee chairman in the Iowa House.

These diverse experiences have all culminated in Nick's successful ability to execute strategic plans to introduce, pass, block, or amend legislation at the Iowa Statehouse for clients and build strong relationships with lawmakers and stakeholders. From legislative agenda development and interim planning to PAC management and issue campaigns, Nick specializes in elevating a client's message and executing legislative strategies. Nick also leads Advocacy Strategies' administrative rulemaking engagement and media relations efforts on behalf of our clients.

Nick grew up in Byron, MN and made his way to Iowa through Simpson College's John C. Culver Public Policy Center where he was selected as a Fellow. He graduated Simpson with the highest academic honor with majors in Political Science and International Relations and a minor in Religious Studies and also received his Master's Degree in Public Policy and a Graduate Certificate in Public Administration from the University of Northern Iowa.

Outside of work, Nick is actively involved in his church community, local political activism, the Simpson College Alumni Association Board, and serves as the President of the John C. Culver Public Policy Center Alumni Association. He graduated from Leadership Iowa, the state's premier professional leadership development program, in June of 2022.

15-20 years

Beth has relationships with department heads at several state agencies in NH

Beth began her career in government relations in 1997. She represents clients in law enforcement, pharmacy and funeral services, as well as a number of professional associations.

Beth is currently a member of the legislative committee of the Greater Concord Chamber of Commerce and is an active volunteer with the Christ the King Food Pantry and other organizations in Concord.

She is a graduate of Plymouth State University, where she previously served on the Board of Directors of the school's Alumni Association.

15-20 years

City & State Power 100

PJ Lavelle is a partner in the firm and has been with Malady & Wooten for over a decade. PJ prides himself on helping clients navigate the vast and complex world of government by developing and executing strategies which are tailored for each individual client. Mr. Lavelle has a strong record of experience representing a wide range of clients before both state and local government with a focus on economic development, energy, transportation, and utility related issues.

Prior to joining the firm, PJ served as a senior policy advisor to House Democratic Leadership in the Pennsylvania General Assembly. As a key negotiator for House Democrats, he played a lead role in the passage of laws that have changed the face of Pennsylvania, such as Governor Rendell's Energy Independence Strategy and the Rebuilding PA infrastructure investment package. Preceding his years of service to the House, Mr. Lavelle served on the staff of Pittsburgh City Council.

PJ Lavelle is a native Pennsylvanian, born and raised in Lackawanna County. He earned his bachelor's degree from the University of Pittsburgh and resides in the Harrisburg area with his family.

20+ years

Bruce is the founder of Sheehan Phinney Capitol Group. Having worked the halls and hearing rooms of the State House for more than 40 years, he is one of the most experienced lobbyists in Concord and has developed deep relationships with key policy makers.

Bruce began his work in state government in 1980 as a college intern and later served as a legislative assistant to the New Hampshire House Majority Leader. He began his lobbying career as the Legislative Counsel to the Business & Industry Association of New Hampshire, the state's leading business advocacy organization.

Bruce has represented clients in a wide variety of policy issues during his career including taxation, environmental regulation, electric utility restructuring and health policy.

He has also been involved in political campaigns for the past 40 years and is a sought-after advisor to candidates during each election cycle.

20+ years

TCG passed legislation giving Medicaid recipients, many with chronic conditions, easier access to home services, supplies and medical equipment. The legislation was opposed by Department of Social Services and was a target for the agency throughout the session.

TCG was successful in leading a coalition to sustain a veto by the Governor that had overwhelming support by the legislature and the Connecticut Education Association. The legislation would have had unintended negative consequences to students with behavioral health issues. TCG secured its client a position on the working group.

TCG was the driving force behind successfully lobbying the Governor's Office, the Office of Policy and Management, and the Department of Corrections to issue a RFP for inmate medical services at UConn Health. TCG's advocacy on this issue reversed a twenty plus year relationship between UConn Health acting as the sole provider of health services to Connecticut's incarcerated population.

TCG defeated legislation proposed by the Governor's office that had a negative impact to its client. TCG created a legislative campaign plan leveraging the extensive alumni network of Norwich Free Academy, along with organizing a coalition.

TCG has direct lines to the all of Connecticut's Constitutional Officers and their senior staff. Constitutional Officers comprises of the Governor, Attorney General, State Comptroller, Secretary of State's offices, and the Treasurer's office.

TCG possesses a strong network within the legislative leadership along key staff members in the four caucuses.

TCG commands far reaching contacts state agency including but not limited to the Department of Consumer Protection, Department of Public Health, Department of Education, Department of Administrative Services, and the Department of Economic and Community Development.

Alan Deckman is an influential and respected lobbyist at the Connecticut General Assembly and the Executive branch state agencies with over 30 years of experience. His personalized approach to representing clients blends practical business expertise with a thorough knowledge of the legislative and governmental process.

Mr. Deckman is the President and principal owner of the TCORS Capitol Group, LLC. Based in Glastonbury, CT, Mr. Deckman oversees all aspects of the company and client servicing. He directs strategic planning and management of the company, as well as marketing and long-term growth and business opportunities.

Mr. Deckman has successfully developed innovative ways to impact legislative and executive decision-making to help achieve the best results for his company's clients. This proactive approach has produced numerous victories for clients with interests in the state budget and tax matters.

As the senior lobbyist of the TCORS Capitol Group, LLC, Mr. Deckman assists Fortune 500 companies and small Connecticut businesses with complex state and municipal procurement matters. Further, he has resolved many administrative inquiries for clients from a wide range of industries at both the state and local levels of government. Mr. Deckman regularly provides lead identification and relationship marketing services to clients looking to expand their business development efforts within the public and private sectors. As executive director and lobbyist for several Connecticut non-profit educational organizations and institutions, he frequently serves as a media spokesperson and advisor on public policy issues of direct concern to those entities.

Mr. Deckman is also the Founder and President of the Connecticut Blockchain Association, whose mission it is to develop, promote, and advance blockchain technology and to establish Connecticut as a leader for blockchain innovation. The Connecticut Blockchain Association strives to create a unifying advocacy voice for the Blockchain industry in the state of Connecticut. Mr. Deckman also serves as an advisory board member for the Pennsylvania Blockchain Coalition.

Born in New London, Connecticut, Mr. Deckman graduated from Assumption College, where he received the distinguished Crown and Shield Award for leadership and service. Subsequently, he earned a master's degree in Public Administration from the Sawyer School of Management at Suffolk University in Boston, where he was also selected to participate in the Dean's Fellowship Program.

EMMA C. SHOULDICE joined the family firm on January 2, 2020. A 2019 graduate of Providence College, Emma received a Bachelor of Arts Degree, majoring in Political Science with a Certificate in Business Studies.

Prior to graduation, Emma was a Senior Intern for Rhode Island Congressman David Cicilline communicating directly with constituents, provided training to new interns on office protocols, wrote constituent communications, and handled information and database management. Emma also interned for William Shouldice & Associates LLC, monitoring House and Senate committees and bills, analyzed effects of potential amendments in the Vermont Legislature, and assessed the political landscape to proactively move client priorities.

Emma worked for The Advocacy Solutions LLC in Providence, Rhode Island while pursuing her college degree. At Advocacy Solutions, Emma analyzed fiscal year budgets and committee hearings to identify potential impact to clients' interests and presented findings to the Senior Lobbyist, tracked bills through all stages in the Rhode Island General Assembly, as well as managing bill calendars and committee hearings to ensure clients could attend essential meetings at the State House.

Emma's family comes from a long line of government relations enthusiasts. Her Aunt, Heather Shouldice, served in the Vermont House of Representatives. Her Father, Bill Shouldice IV, was Secretary of Commerce under Governor Howard Dean, and her Grandfather, Bill Shouldice III, is the Founder & Advisor of the Shouldice Firm. Emma's Great, Great Grandfather, William Burke, was a State Senator from Rutland County. Emma joins Heather Shouldice, Cheri L'Esperance and Tess Kennedy at William Shouldice & Associates LLC.

Emma lives in South Burlington and spends time on Cape Cod and Lake Dunmore in the summer.

20+ years

City Council Member, Windsor Heights

Leadership Iowa

Licensed Foster Parent

As President and CEO of Advocacy Strategies, Threase is responsible for the firm's overall business operations and strategy for delivering results. She has been serving clients before the Iowa Legislature for nearly 30 years. This experience has provided her with intimate knowledge of the legislative process and long-standing solid relationships with policymakers, staff, and key opinion leaders across the state. This allows her to tailor a strategy to meet the individual needs of our clients that deliver the best value to you. Advocacy Strategies' clients realize results when working with our team whether with a controversial legislative issue, securing and maintaining state appropriations, or working to find compromise to move issues forward.

In addition to lobbying, Threase has spent more than two decades developing and implementing successful public affairs and grassroots campaigns of all sizes from national campaigns across the country to smaller campaigns in Iowa communities. Her wealth of expertise in this area affords Advocacy Strategies a strong network of relationships with legislative and community leaders and a unique skill set in developing successful and innovative strategies to achieve policy goals that few firms can offer.

Threase started her lobbying career at the University of Northern Iowa as a student, then went on to work in the Iowa Senate on education issues before her employment with the American Cancer Society. From there, she took the position of Director of the Tobacco Use Prevention and Control division within the Iowa Department of Public Health, giving her the opportunity to use her passion to protect families from the hardships of illness and death from tobacco use. With multiple successes in the non-profit sector, Pfizer recruited her to be part of the Worldwide Alliance Development team. She has been an independent government relations contractor for 20 years helping organizations of all types and sizes.

Threase earned a Master's Degree in Public Administration from Iowa State University but remains loyal to her undergraduate alma mater the University of Northern Iowa where she received her Bachelor's Degree in Communication Studies while serving as Student Body President. She also serves as an elected member of the Windsor Heights City Council and on many advisory committees and community organizations.

Threase and her husband, Rick live in Windsor Heights. They have four children and are avid cyclists and licensed foster parents.

6-10 years

Her efforts won many accolades from customers, regulators and legislators. She proved instrumental in the passage of legislation that ensured water quality and quantity and water system sustainability for decades.

Specifically, she played a critical role in the passage of Act 11 and Act 12, which pertained to water and wastewater system financing; and Act 154, that defines combined sewer overflow (CSO) system assets as sewer assets and thus regulated by the public utility commission. She spearheaded American Water's strategic response to shale gas development, collaborating with shale gas drillers and municipal officials to protect the environment and enhance the local economy by extending water into rural areas using a combination of public and private funding.

Kathy was among 30 task force members from across Pennsylvania selected by Governor Tom Wolf to address the estimated $20 billion funding shortfall needed to upgrade Pennsylvania's aging water infrastructure. She has also served on the Sustainable Water Infrastructure Task Force, selected by Gov. Ed Rendell.

As CEO of Pennsylvania American Water, part of Kathy's responsibilities included building relationships and partnering with legislators, County Commissioners, municipal officials representing the water company's service area in 36 counties and 400 municipalities.

Kathy is a licensed attorney in NJ and PA and started her career at the Office of Consumer Advocate, Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission and as a utility attorney at General Waterworks. She also served as corporate counsel and manager of finance for American Water and as vice president, treasurer and rate counsel for Philadelphia Suburban Water. During her tenure at Philadelphia Suburban Water, the company grew from a five-county suburban Philadelphia water company to the second largest publicly-traded U.S. water and wastewater service provider.

In 2007, she was tapped to lead American Water's largest subsidiary, Pennsylvania American Water. As the president of Pennsylvania American Water, she used her legal, financial, business and governmental experience to balance customer service, reasonable rates, infrastructure replacement and community engagement. Kathy later led American Water's mid-Atlantic region which included Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Virginia and Maryland before she entered entering private practice.

Kathy currently serves on the board of directors for Highmark Health and has chaired the Pennsylvania Business Counsel, the Foundation for Enhancing Communities and the Pennsylvania Chapter of the National Association of Water Companies. She is also an active member of the boards of the Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (Western and Central PA Chapter), the Earth Conservancy and the Hampden Township Industrial Development Authority.

Kathy is a nationally known speaker on leadership, utility finance, infrastructure and water and wastewater operations. She is also an expert witness on utility finance, tax and infrastructure issues and has testified before state and federal legislative committees.