6-10 years

I have been recognized by the Nashville Post list of In-Charge: Government & Politics for 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022

Our firm was recognized nationally by the Public Relations Society of America for our comprehensive public affairs campaign to bring Major League Soccer to Nashville

Mark Cate is the Founder and President of Stones River Group, a Nashville-based public affairs firm serving both Tennessee, regional and national clients. He formerly served as Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam's chief of staff, where he was his top advisor, strategist and negotiator.

During his tenure with the Haslam Administration, Mark led several legislative policy initiatives, including K-12 education reform, workers' compensation reform, civil service reform, an alternative approach to Medicaid expansion, and postsecondary education reform, including the nationally-acclaimed Tennessee Promise program.

Prior to serving in state government, Mark successfully managed Governor Haslam's first gubernatorial campaign in 2010, which led to a record-setting general election victory. He previously worked as an executive in real estate management and development and served for 16 years as a higher education leader. Over the course of his career, Mark has served as a chief development officer, chief planning officer, chief marketing officer, and as a chief financial officer—working on budgets ranging from $10 million to $30 billion.

Mark grew up in Maryville, TN and currently lives in Brentwood with his wife Cathy who serves as the Executive Director of Leadership Tennessee. He and Cathy have two daughters, Bailey who is a recent graduate at Rhodes College and currently serves as a fellow at the Crop Trust in Bonn, Germany; and Abbie who is rising junior at George Washington University.

Cate received a B.S from Carson-Newman College, an M.S from the University of Tennessee, and Harvard University's Institute for Educational Management certificate program. He's served on a wide variety of non-profit boards and was an elected member of the Maryville Board of Education.

Mr. Erskine was listed in the 2012-2017 editions of the Best Lawyers in America in the area of government relations.

He was also the architect of the Oil Field Clean-up Fund, which created an industry-supported fund that is dedicated to the plugging of the State's 48,000 abandoned oil and gas wells and the sites upon which they are located. It has become the model legislation for the states and has been adopted in many jurisdictions since its passage in Texas.

Mr. Erskine joined the firm in 1994 after seventeen years of service with Amoco Corporation as senior government affairs representative, where he was ultimately responsible for all legislative and political activities for the parent corporation and subsidiaries, including those involving exploration and production, refining and marketing, chemicals, pipeline, research and development, marine transport and waste disposal in Texas and New Mexico. From 1976-1978, he was an attorney in the state government affairs section of Dupont's legal department. Mr. Erskine was also associated with Alan M. Voorhees and Associates, where he was responsible for legal and political issues involved in transportation and environmental planning studies.

Mr. Erskine's practice with K&L Gates consists primarily of legislative representation and administrative law. He was instrumental in the formulation and passage of Proposition 2, which exempted pollution control equipment from property taxation. In addition to working with building the coalition that insured its passage by the legislature, he was deeply involved in the statewide campaign for voter approval.

He was also the architect of the Oil Field Clean-up Fund, which created an industry-supported fund that is dedicated to the plugging of the State's 48,000 abandoned oil and gas wells and the sites upon which they are located. It has become the model legislation for the states and has been adopted in many jurisdictions since its passage in Texas.

6-10 years

Stephen Susano is the Co-Founder and COO of Stones River Group, a Nashville-based public affairs firm serving both Tennessee, regional and national clients. He provides clients with strategic counsel on business opportunities and project management, regulatory matters, procurement, economic development, third-party engagement, and market positioning. Stephen leverages his lengthy private-sector experience and deep network of relationships with business leaders and key policymakers in state and local government across Tennessee to deliver solutions for clients in multiple industries.

Prior to Stones River Group, Stephen served as Executive Director of the Tennessee Business Partnership (TBP), an advocacy organization supported by many of the state's leading enterprises. He spearheaded its efforts to advance pro-business policies, including education and judicial reforms, to encourage job growth and economic development. In 2014, Stephen led the statewide "Vote Yes on 2" campaign in support of the Judicial Selection Amendment to the Tennessee constitution. Stephen built a broad coalition of business groups, trade associations, legal advocates and community leaders in favor of the amendment. This coalition's successful mobilization helped ensure the amendment was approved with overwhelming support, carrying 94 out of 95 counties in Tennessee

Prior to working in the public affairs space, Stephen had an extensive career in the financial services industry. He served in operating and business development roles for several investment advisers and asset management firms. He has consulted with and raised capital for both U.S. and foreign-based investment firms, and has negotiated distribution and trading agreements with multiple financial services companies. Through his work, Stephen navigated complex regulatory regimes in domestic and offshore jurisdictions

Stephen grew up in Knoxville, Tennessee and currently lives in Brentwood with his wife, Ana. He and Ana have four children. Stephen serves on the board of the Nashville Downtown Partnership.

0-5 years

Voted as a Top and Rising Star Lobbyist by the James Magazine

Recognized as a Top Fierce and Fabulous 40 Under 40 Alumni by Spelman College

Executive Director, Georgia Legislative Black Caucus (2003-2016)
Chair, National Black Caucus of State Legislators, Corporate Roundtable Sports, Entertainment and Gaming Committee
Board Member, Wellroot (formerly known as United Methodist Children's Home)

Danica Thompson is experienced in civic engagement with a focus in government relations. She currently serves as a vice president of state government relations where she provides strategic advice and lobbying services to help clients meet their corporate and public affairs objectives. She has extensive experience working with clients in the areas of education, healthcare, diagnostic laboratories, procurement and transportation on both the state and local levels.

Prior to joining McGuireWoods Consulting, Danica worked with state elected officials for 13 years at the Atlanta-based Georgia Legislative Black Caucus, Inc. Starting as a legislative intern, she seamlessly rose through the organization's ranks to the position of executive director where she managed the daily operations of the caucus, coordinated legislative conferences, spearheaded the legislative intern program and ensured that the caucus fulfilled its mission to protect the general welfare of people of color, the disadvantaged and the underserved citizens throughout the state of Georgia.

Throughout her professional career Danica has committed herself to making a difference at work and within her community. She is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., and the Georgia Women's Policy Institute. Presently, Danica serves as chair of the National Black Caucus of State Legislators Corporate Roundtable Gaming, Sports and Entertainment Policy Committee, serves as a board member for the United Methodist Children's Home (WellRoot), and volunteers as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) to support children in foster care. She is a Council for Quality Growth Emerging Leader and serves as an ambassador with the Grady Ambassador Force, which consists of nearly 100 community leaders creating awareness and community support for the Grady Health System and chairs the Marsy's Law for Georgia Advisory Committee to ensure victims of crime receive their constitutional rights in court proceedings.

Danica has been recognized by her peers as a Top and Rising Star lobbyist in the James magazine, acknowledged by the Daily Report for providing pro bono services related to changing age requirements in Georgia's child marriage law, and named as Spelman College's Fierce 40 Under 40 Alumni. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Spelman College and a Juris Doctorate from Birmingham School of Law.

Danica is a native from Birmingham, Alabama. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family, dogs and traveling.

0-5 years

James Magazine Rising Star 2015, 2016, 2017

Stuart Wilkinson is a vice president with McGuireWoods Consulting in Atlanta. Over the past decade, he has earned extensive experience working with both the Executive and Legislative branches in Georgia.

Prior to joining McGuireWoods Consulting, Stuart served as a top advisor to Georgia Governor Brian Kemp, most recently as his Deputy Director of External Affairs. In this role, Stuart helped craft and advance the Governor's legislative agenda. Additionally, he has held a number of other key positions with Governor Kemp including Deputy Director of the Gubernatorial transition team, as well as managing then Secretary of State Brian Kemp's legislative and external affairs team.

Stuart began his career in Governor Nathan Deal's administration for six years where he managed the Governor's local government relations program before joining the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities government relations team.

Stuart has been recognized as a Rising Star lobbyist in James magazine. An avid runner, Stuart currently serves as a Board Member of the Atlanta Track Club. Previously, he was appointed to the Georgia Commission for Service and Volunteerism by Governor Deal. He is a native of Sandy Springs, Georgia and a graduate of Georgia College. Stuart currently lives in Atlanta with his wife Kathleen.

0-5 years

Led record-breaking candidate recruitment efforts in 2018 and 2020 for State House races; in 2018, the Georgia House Democratic Caucus challenged 56 Republican held seats. In 2020, the Georgia House Democratic Caucus challenged 66 Republican held seats. This was an exponential increase from previous years when Democrats only challenged 25 Republican held seats in 2014 and 21 Republican held seats in 2016.

Assumed the position of Executive Director with 62 Georgia House Democratic Caucus members, and in three short years, expanded the Caucus to 77 members.

Managed the 2018 Georgia House Democratic Caucus campaign operation for the most successful election night for Georgia Democrats since 1998.

Managed the 2020 Georgia House Democratic Caucus campaign operation where Georgia had the second-best election results for State House campaigns for Democrats in the nation.

Served as the Executive Director of the Georgia House Democratic Caucus.
Served on the Arab Americans for Biden Committee.
Served as the Co-Coordinator of the Georgia Victory Leadership Council for Georgia.

Falak Sabbak is an assistant vice president with McGuireWoods Consulting. With a decade of experience at the Georgia General Assembly, she maintains an incredibly diverse network of elected officials, political staff, and lobbyists throughout the state of Georgia.

Prior to joining McGuireWoods Consulting, Falak served as the Executive Director of the Georgia House Democratic Caucus. She managed the internal and external communications of the Caucus, prepared talking points on pending legislation, and counseled members during their decision-making process. Falak also managed the 2018 Caucus campaign operation that resulted in the most successful election night for Georgia Democrats since 1998. In three short years, Falak grew the House Democratic Caucus from 62 members to 77.

Falak began her career as a legislative aide, and later served as the Executive Assistant to the Minority Leader. From fielding constituent questions, to tracking and summarizing legislation, Falak gained a thorough understanding of the legislative process.

A native of Marietta, Georgia, Falak earned her Juris Doctorate from Georgia State University College of Law, and a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of Georgia.

KATE HAAS is a lawyer and lobbyist specializing in challenging legislative and regulatory issues. She is also a community-relations expert with deep experience organizing coalitions and campaigns for both businesses and political operations. As a former chief of staff and top policy aide to an Idaho congressman, she has nearly a decade of experience on Capitol Hill in both the Senate and House, and has worked directly on some of our nation's most complicated issues. Kate is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law, where she was named to the Dean's list, served an externship for a U.S. District Court Judge and graduated with top honors. She is on the board of directors of the Treasure Valley YMCA and is an avid trail runner. She and her husband, Bret, have a young son.