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MICHAEL O'BRIEN

MICHAEL O'BRIEN

(New Hampshire)

I've spent my career in New Hampshire state government and politics, both as a high-level government insider and as a statewide policy director and field organizer. In my years as Communications and Policy Director for the Speaker of the NH House of Representatives, I played an integral role in shaping policy on a range of issues including education, environment, and labor, and have worked closely with nearly all the legislative Committees. I also served as point person for all budget related matters and all issues that came before the Joint Fiscal Committee, and have in-depth insight into how these negotiations and processes work.

I also have a decade of experience in election law and voting rights issues in New Hampshire. Through this work I've forged relationships with officials in the State House and around the state, and have built one of the leading coalition groups in NH. In all of my political and government work, I have a strong bipartisan record and close relationships with Democrats and Republicans at all levels of state government.

Our entire Preti Strategies team is made up of government "insiders" who have served many years as elected or administration officials or senior level advisors. Together, we have extensive knowledge and an extensive network of connections. We've spent our careers in government and public affairs, and we love putting our experience to work for our clients to help shape policy and advance important business interests.

6-10 years

Worked with legislators to pass and hold votes on the 2018 Budget out of the House. Only two House Democrats voted against the final budget.

Worked with labor leaders and community partners on the committee vote and floor fight to kill so called right to work in 2014 and 2016.

Worked with the Speaker's Leadership team to shape the Agenda for House Democrats.

Served as point staff person for the Speaker during budget negotiations with the Governor and his staff.

Scripted floor speeches and scripted questions for committee members during key hearings.

Created the New Hampshire Campaign for Voting Rights which continues to be the leading voice on voting rights issues in the state.

Government Affairs Advisor, Preti Strategies.

Communications and Policy Director, NH Speaker of the House.

Political and Field Director, America Votes New Hampshire.

Education: B.A. Political Science, Emmanuel College. Boston, MA May 2008.

PETER BRAGDON

I provide Preti Strategies' clients a wealth of experience in advocacy, policy development, politics, business and education. Prior to joining Preti Strategies, I served as president of the New Hampshire state Senate and previously held numerous leadership positions in both the Senate and House during my 10 years in the legislature. I offer our clients strategic and tactical advice based on first-hand experience navigating myriad policy and political considerations. My business background includes serving as Executive Director of the state's largest public employee health insurance risk pool and several start-up companies, one of which I led to a position on the Inc. 500 list of fastest growing companies in America. I also taught high school math for several years and served 18 years on my local school board, 12 of those years as chairman.

Our entire Preti Strategies team is made up of government "insiders" who have served many years as elected or administration officials or senior level advisors. Together, we have extensive knowledge and an extensive network of connections. We've spent our careers in government and public affairs, and we love putting our experience to work for our clients to help shape policy and advance important business interests.

0-5 years

Interceded on behalf of a client with a state agency to resolve compliance matters, working directly with the agency commissioner. In the next budget, successfully appealed the agency's insufficient 5% proposed daily rate increase for the provided services, which resulted in an increase of 37%.

Blocked a state agency's efforts to prevent a client's association members from continuing to conduct business in New Hampshire.

Opened up new opportunities for a renewable energy client by shepherding a bill we created for them through the legislative process to the governor's desk for signature.

As Senate president, I guided policy discussions and negotiations on all major policy issues, including renewable energy, insurance, business regulation and retirement system reform.

Led Senate efforts on budgets for four fiscal years, one of which erased a projected $800 million budget deficit without raising taxes or fees.

Led the Senate Republican Caucus to create policy agendas and then developed effective strategy and tactics that resulted in successful implementation of that agenda, even with a governor of the opposing party.

Senior Policy Advisor at Preti Strategies

Legislative:
President, NH State Senate
Minority Leader, NH State Senate
State Senator - Committee Assignments Included: Commerce; Education (Chair); Energy and Natural Resources; Finance; Health and Human Services; Internal Affairs
Clerk, House Election Law Committee

Business:
Executive Director, HealthTrust (health insurance and public employee benefits risk pool, covering over 70,000 lives)
President and co-Founder, Achieve! Technology (an Inc. 500 company developing regulatory compliance software)


Education:
UMass-Lowell, BS Computer Science

KRIS ERICKSON

Subjects: All Subjects

I bring our Preti Strategies clients more than 20 years of policy and legislative experience in Massachusetts. Over the last several years, I have represented many clients across a range of business sectors before various state agencies and the Legislature. Before entering into private practice, I served in a variety of senior leadership positions. My last role with the state was serving as Chief of Staff at the MBTA, helping to lead the $1.7B agency. I also served as the Chief of Staff for the Massachusetts Highway Department, Legislative Director for MassDOT and as the Chief of Staff and Legislative Director for the Assistant Minority Leader in the Senate for five years. This high-level access in these many senior leadership positions have provided me the unique experience of understanding budgets, procurement, political considerations and just generally how decisions get made in a variety of environments. I leverage these attributes, along with a wide network of contacts, to help clients achieve their desired results.

Our entire Preti Strategies team is made up of government "insiders" who have served many years as elected or administration officials or senior level advisors. Together, we have extensive knowledge and an extensive network of connections. We've spent our careers in government and public affairs, and we love putting our experience to work for our clients to help shape policy and advance important business interests.

Helped lead $1.7B agency including management, budget, technology, procurement and legislative affairs at MBTA

Led multiple technology upgrades at MBTA that resulted in a significant leap forward innovation at the agency, also became very proficient in state procurement processes and rules

Helped develop and coordinate strategy to consolidate functions of six transportation departments as Legislative Director at MassDOT

Routinely worked with staff and vendors on hundreds of millions of dollars in road and bridge projects annually

Responsible for writing and tracking all legislation and budget matters for Asst. Minority Leader

Policy Advisor at Preti Strategies

Chief of Staff, Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority

Legislative Director, MassDOT

Chief of Staff, Massachusetts Highway Department

Chief of Staff and Legislative Director, Assistant Minority Leader, Massachusetts Senate


Education:

University of Massachusetts

JASON WEBB

There's an old saying around state legislatures that "if you aren't at the table, then you could end up on the menu." Jason Webb and his firm, Capitol Advocates, understand the importance of having representation engaged throughout the entire process. He knows that it may come down to that last conversation or that final piece of information which enabled his clients to succeed. Capitol Advocates is a full service government relations, lobbying, advocacy, & consulting firm in West Virginia. We genuinely believe in the traditional values of hard work and integrity. We advocate our clients' positions to government leaders, not rationalize their viewpoints to our clients. We consciously adhere to this philosophy every day. We understand that effective government relations require both determination and persistence. Our knowledge, experience and professional relationships are leveraged to assist in these endeavors. While it is sometimes difficult to guarantee outcomes, you can be assured of the effort.

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.

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