6-10 years

Built a proven record of winning tough floor fights in New Hampshire's 400-member House of Representatives on a myriad of issues.

I've stopped harmful committee recommendations, overturned committee votes, adopted emergency floor amendments, used creative solutions to stop legislation from advancing, and scripted floor fights and debates for members.

Passed the region's most aggressive biodiesel production credit into law and guided the state's largest biodiesel producer through the entirety of the process from drafting to rulemaking. I then advocated for loosening of regulations on the use of biodiesel by large energy consumers and the state government to further increase the client's potential revenues.

As a freshman lobbyist, I was named "Rookie of the Year" by my colleagues.

I worked with a coalition of healthcare providers and lobbyists to stop a workers' compensation fee schedule. Our efforts successfully overturned the House Labor committee's recommendation on the House floor to pass the coalition's desired floor amendment which was signed into law. The client's amendment has since lowered worker's compensation costs by ~10% and did so without a fee schedule.

I have guided clients through successful issue advocacy campaigns during the First in the Nation primary. Deliverables involved getting Presidential candidates on the record, one-on-one meetings with candidates or senior level staff, grassroots organizing, event planning, press opportunities, and earned media for the client.

Served as the State Director to the New Hampshire Energy Forum where I provided grass tops lobbying and communications consulting to one of the nation's largest energy trade associations; I was instrumental in successfully changing Federal laws and Executive guidelines surrounding ozone and air quality regulations, energy exports, and energy infrastructure.

Provided strategic communications consulting for state legislators and stakeholders to lobby New Hampshire's Federal delegation to change mandates in the Affordable Care Act on behalf of a coalition of insurance providers. Our coalition was victorious in these efforts.

I've worked as a political & fundraising consultant to numerous State Senators, Executive Councilors, State Representatives, and County officials.

Work Experience:
Government and Public Affairs Advisor, Preti Strategies, Concord, NH, December 2019 to Present
Government Relations Advisor, Dennehy & Bouley, Concord, NH, December 2014 to November 2019
New Hampshire Field Organizer, Republican National Committee, 2014
Bill Status Aide, New Hampshire State Senate Clerk's Office, 2013

Political Experience:
Republican Political & Fundraising Consultant for State Senators, Executive Councilors, State Representatives and County officials, 2014- Present
Vice Chairman- Region 2, New Hampshire Republican State Committee, 2017-2018
Voting Member, New Hampshire Republican State Committee, 2014-Current

Education:
University of New Hampshire, BA, Political Science

20+ years

Anthony Abdelahad, Esq. was named a Top 100 Lobbyists in the Nation by the National Institute for Lobbying and Ethics

Ventry is a recipient of the Governmental Relations Professionals of the Year Award from Boys & Girls Clubs of America

Anthony Abdelahad joined the Ventry team in March of 2006. Anthony directs Ventry's legislative outreach efforts and acts as in-house legal counsel, advising our clients on compliance with state and local regulations. In November of 2022, Anthony was named by his peers as one of the Top 100 Lobbyists in the Nation by the National Institute for Lobbying and Ethics. This award was given in recognition of his success in helping his clients secure tens of millions of dollars in government funding, passing groundbreaking legislation on topics ranging from vocational education to insurance industry modernization, and advancing critical policy work across the transportation, health care, and energy sectors.

Prior to joining Ventry, Anthony worked in the Suffolk County court system and clerked at the Law Offices of Kelly & Watson, Hadlock Law Offices, and for the Hon. Edward C. Clifton of the Providence Superior Court. Anthony has also worked on many local, statewide, and national political campaigns, including work for Congressman Michael Capuano and the Campaign for Change's presidential election voter protection legal team in New Hampshire.

Anthony graduated cum laude and with distinction in the International Law Concentration from Suffolk University Law School and is a member of the Massachusetts Bar. He graduated magna cum laude from Providence College with a BA in Political Science.

Anthony lives in South Boston. He served as an appointed member of the Boston Planning and Development Agency's South Boston Dorchester Avenue Planning Initiative Advisory Group. He was a founding member of the Crayons to Cradles Emerging Leaders Council and served on the Friends Council of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Boston.

ALEXIS BOURASSA is the Communications Specialist and Associate Lobbyist at FOCUS Government Affairs. She joined the firm after graduating from UConn. During her time, Alexis has since been implementing, maintaining, and managing internal and external communication efforts at the firm as well as establishing and maintaining a social media presence.

Alexis graduated from the University of Connecticut in 2019 where she achieved dual bachelor's degrees in Communications and English, with a concentration in Public Relations. During her time at UConn, Alexis worked for the University of Connecticut Office of Athletic Communications where she worked closely with the press and media. Through her education and time at UConn, Alexis has extensive experience creating and delivering press releases, creating media relations content, corporate newsletters, social media content and creation, and speaking proposals which she has been able to leverage into the political environment. Her experience has assisted FOCUS Government Affairs by growing client relations as well as maintaining and establishing relationships with legislators. Working hand and hand with our clients, Alexis pinpoints and tracks bills of importance. Throughout bill tracking, Alexis also works with the clients to meet their legislative and lobbying needs such as helping clients participate in public hearings and assisting with the scheduling of meetings with legislators.

JAMES S. PAOLINO, ESQ. began his career working in municipal government before working for several years at the state level with both the Executive Branch and the Connecticut General Assembly. Attorney Paolino has worked as the Director of State Lobbying for the Connecticut Hospital Association, one of Connecticut's largest healthcare provider associations. As Director of State Lobbying, Attorney Paolino gained extensive experience in handling complex issues including Medicaid reimbursement, workforce and employment legislation, tax issues, patient safety programs, as well as a wide variety of other issues related to healthcare, technology, the environment, and business.

Attorney Paolino brings a great deal of knowledge and experience to the FOCUS Government Affairs team. Having worked at the municipal and state levels as well as the private sector, Attorney Paolino adds a deep level of understanding of government and the legislative process as well as commitment to achieving positive results for his clients. This background gives Attorney Paolino a wide range of personal contacts and relationships in both government and the private sector, which are then utilized to provide positive results for clients. Attorney Paolino combines his background and personal contacts with his legal skills to provide a comprehensive bipartisan approach to challenging issues for his clients.

Attorney Paolino is very active in his community where he currently serves as Chairman of his town's Sewer and Water Commission. He also serves as the Chief Financial Officer and on the Board of Directors of his local branch of the Lion's Club International. Attorney Paolino is also an adjunct professor, teaching Western Civilization, World Civilizations and U.S. History.

20+ years

Ventry is a recipient of the Governmental Relations Professionals of the Year Award from Boys & Girls Clubs of America

John Pregmon joined the Ventry team in November of 2024. John brings a wealth of expertise in state and local government, as well as years of experience in private legal practice. Prior to joining Ventry, John served as legal counsel to the Joint Committee on Housing, where he worked with members of the House and Senate to craft and pass an historic $5.2 billion Housing Bond Bill- the largest in the history of the Commonwealth. He also previously served as legal counsel to the Joint Committee on Community Development and Small Businesses.

Before his time at the State House, John worked as a program attorney at both Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education (MCLE) and the Massachusetts Bar Association. He also has experience in private practice, specializing in estate planning, civil litigation, and immigration law. John also worked as a professor of Legal Reading and Writing at his alma mater New England Law | Boston.

He is a member of the American Bar Association, Massachusetts Bar Association, Boston Bar Association, and former mentor at the Woman's Bar Association. John is also a Mediator having met the MGL c. 233 s. 23C and Rule 8(c)(i) requirements.

John is an honors graduate of New England Law | Boston. While in law school, he was awarded the Dean's Scholarship and served as an intern within both the Worcester and Suffolk County District Attorney's Offices and SJC Rule 3.03 certified student attorney at Greater Boston Legal Services. John also volunteered with the Student Mentorship Program and Student Bar Association where he acted as Athletic Chairman, earning the Student Association of the Year award. Prior to attending law school, John earned a Bachelor of Arts degree at Dickinson College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania.

John has volunteered on numerous local, statewide, and national political campaigns. He is an elected member and secretary of the Ward 3 Democratic Committee.

John currently lives in the North End where he is an involved and active member of the community. He is on the planning committee for the North End Cornhole Classic, which benefits the Geraldine Marshall Scholarship Fund at NEMPAC (North End Music and Performing Arts). John volunteers as commissioner and coach for a youth baseball team within the North End Athletic Association. He also heads the CYO St. Leonard Knights youth basketball program in the North End. He is the current president of a local nonprofit, North End Cares, which serves children and families in Boston's North End. John is an active member of the Saint Agrippina Benefit Society having recently served as Feast Chairman and sits on the planning committee of the Italian Heritage Celebration Committee in the North End. John previously served as an elected member and former president of the North End/Waterfront Neighborhood Council, and on the board of directors for the Rose F. Kennedy Greenway Conservancy.

20+ years

Ventry is a recipient of the Governmental Relations Professionals of the Year Award from Boys & Girls Clubs of America

Dennis Murphy founded Ventry Associates in 1999. He began with a vision to create a company that would provide multiple services - Public Relations, Lobbying, and Business Development, to clients across a diverse range of industries. Since then, nearly 23 years have passed, and Ventry Associates has had a proven track record of success that few, if any other firms, can match.

Prior to founding Ventry, Dennis served in the Massachusetts State Legislature for six years representing the 9th Hampden District. In only his second term, he was selected by the House Speaker to serve as Vice Chairman of the Joint Committee on Energy, and in his third term, was elevated to Chairman of the Joint Committee on Energy. During his tenure as Chairman he oversaw numerous legislative initiatives regarding the energy industries.

Dennis holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing from American International College. He is also a founder and incorporator of New Valley Bank, and in addition is part of the ownership group of the Springfield Thunderbirds, the American Hockey League affiliate of the St. Louis Blues.