Kyle brings to GSL Public Affairs and Communications more than two decades of experience in state government. A native of northeast Pennsylvania, Kyle came to Harrisburg more than 20 years ago and began his career in the Pennsylvania State Senate.

Kyle quickly worked his way up the ranks, serving in various roles and most recently as the Chief of Staff for Senator John Yudichak.

As Chief of Staff, Kyle was responsible for the day-to-day operations of both the Harrisburg Office and the District Offices. Kyle developed, implemented and promoted the Senator's legislative proposals and public policy agenda. He also identified and helped secure funding sources, such as RACP, LSA, PennDOT/DCED Multimodal and other CFA grant programs for economic development and infrastructure projects in the Senator's district.

In 2016, Kyle made the transition from chief of staff in the Senate to a career in lobbying. Widely regarded as one who could always work in a bipartisan manner within the halls of the Capitol, Kyle has been able to utilize those relationships to achieve numerous successes for his clients. Over the last few years, Kyle has worked with his clients to accomplish many legislative victories, such as the expansion of tax credit programs, implementing the first e-Scooter pilot program in Pennsylvania, amending state licensure laws and securing state appropriations.

Throughout Kyle's entire professional career, he has maintained an outstanding reputation amongst his peers. Kyle continues to use his experiences and longtime connections to collaboratively work with his clients and stakeholders to achieve policy and legislative goals.

0-5 years

John brings 24 years of strategic experience in shaping legislative, budgetary, and regulatory policy in the Commonwealth. He most recently served three terms as Pennsylvania State Senator for Senate District 14 in Carbon and Luzerne Counties, where he earned a reputation as a consensus-builder and accomplished notable community and economic development objectives. John was Chairman of the Senate Community and Economic Development Committee, Vice-Chairman of the Aging and Youth Committee and minority Chairman of the Senate Environmental and Energy Resource Committee, a role he held for nearly a decade. Prior to his election to the Senate, he served the 119th District in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives for 12 years.

Across his senatorial tenure, John managed multiple community and economic development projects in Northeastern Pennsylvania that transformed the region into one of the leading economic development areas in the country. He forged coalitions with labor groups, such as the Pennsylvania State Building and Construction Trades Council, and business groups, including the Pennsylvania Manufacturers Association and the Pennsylvania Chamber of Commerce, to advance the Local Resource Manufacturing Tax Credit, the Pennsylvania EDGE Tax Credit and the Sales and Use Tax Exemption for computer data center development.

John also worked with the Earth Conservancy to reclaim thousands of acres of mine-scarred lands and set the stage for national developers, like NorthPoint Development, who have invested $1 billion to create 8,000 new jobs in the South Valley of Luzerne County.

Throughout his career, he worked with Republicans and Democrats to author laws to support veterans (Sgt. Sherwood Baker Act), protect seniors (Senior Citizens Full Benefits Act), support law enforcement (Officer John Wilding Law), improve our environment (Coal Refuse Energy and Reclamation Tax Credit) and expand educational opportunities (SHINE Afterschool Program).

Affiliations
• The Pennsylvania Environmental Quality Board, Member, 2011-2019
• The Luzerne Foundation, Executive Board Member, 2001-2017
• The Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education, Executive Board Member, 2011-2015
• The Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency, Executive Board Member, 2009-2010
• Osterhout Free Library, Director of Development, 1995-1998
• The Earth Conservancy, Board of Directors, 2022-Present
• The Pennsylvania Tuition Account Advisory Board, 2022-Present

Recognition
• Pennsylvania Citizens for Better Libraries Elected State Official of the Year
• Children's Service Center Commitment to Children Award
• North Branch Land Trust Community Stewardship Award
• Pennsylvania Health Care Association Legislative Champion
John is the founder of the Yudichak Family Lighthouse Fund of the Luzerne Foundation, a charity that has donated over $250,000 to public libraries, college scholarships, and youth programs.

Credentials
Education
• The Pennsylvania State University, M.A.
• The Pennsylvania State University, B.A.

0-5 years

City and State's "40 Under 40 State Leaders" in 2022

PoliticsPA's "Top PA Political Operatives" in 2014

Board Member on the Pennsylvania Unemployment Compensation Board of Review

Elena has significant experience coordinating and advancing legislative initiatives in Harrisburg. As former Chief of Staff and Deputy Chief of Staff for the Office of Governor Tom Wolf, she oversaw operations of 24 executive agencies, led the planning and implementation of the Governor's strategic plan and worked closely with the General Assembly to advance budgetary, investment, tax reform, election reform, public health and economic goals. Among numerous major initiatives that Elena helped guide from development to completion include the 2022-23 $45 billion budget process, Pennsylvania's largest tax credit package for energy and advanced manufacturing development, COVID vaccine distribution, Pennsylvania's Broadband Authority, regional economic hub development and business recruitment, and the regulatory and executive action agenda for equal rights policies across various industries. She also oversaw the development of risk management, process improvements and data management structures across state agencies. Having served as a liaison between various cabinet agencies, nonprofit organizations and public and private leaders, Elena understands how to collaborate to achieve a common objective.

Elena also has a depth of strategic knowledge about the organization and coordination of political and field programs for key caucus operations and races. Prior to her senior advisory career in the Governor's Office, Elena held executive leadership roles in the Democratic Party and election organizations. She was Executive Director for Campaign for a Fresh Start, which coordinated gubernatorial campaign and other Democratic campaign efforts; served as Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Democratic Party; and was Political Director for the Pennsylvania House Democratic Campaign Committee.

0-5 years

Senior Advisor to the Shapiro Transition Committee

Rob has extensive experience in crafting and implementing policy, particularly in the areas of economic development and energy. A veteran of state government, Rob served in the Governor Tom Wolf Administration as Deputy Chief of Staff, Speechwriter, Secretary of Intergovernmental Affairs and most recently as Senior Advisor to the Governor. In this position, he served as primary political advisor and oversaw all aspects of economic development for the Wolf administration as well as coordinated all economic development related grant programs in partnership with the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development. He also coordinated all aspects of the administration's federal government relations efforts to advance the Governor's agenda in Washington, D.C.

Rob is an expert on the intersection of economic development, state funding and labor organizations. He has built coalitions to advance common goals and fostered relationships with a range of stakeholders, including interest groups, business and professional organizations, elected officials and community leaders across the state.

20+ years

With decades worth of hands-on experience in Texas government and politics, Sabrina Brown offers valuable strategic counsel, as well as access to a vast network of key associates and decision-makers to a broad spectrum of clients.

Brown's extensive expertise in the state's legislative, regulatory, public affairs and appropriations arenas - combined with her strong bipartisan relationships - provides businesses and organizations with vital political and governmental guidance. Utilizing her many contacts within the Texas House and Senate, Executive Office and state agencies, Sabrina has effectively achieved the public policy goals of a wide variety of clients, from aeronautics giants to groundwater districts to Fortune 100 companies.

Prior to opening her own consulting firm, Sabrina was a highly successful lobbyist for an Austin-based law firm, and previously spent a half-dozen years at the Capitol working for the Texas House of Representatives. Her first-hand experience has given her a detailed familiarity with the legislative process and an in-depth understanding of state lawmakers' perspectives. With these insights, Sabrina creates effective messages and uses her firm's resources to efficiently communicate a client's position to busy legislators.

Brown earned her Masters in Public Affairs at the Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs at The University of Texas, and her bachelor's degree at Texas A&M University.

Brown currently serves on the boards of Dell Children's Medical Center Foundation, West Austin Youth Association, Beyond Batten Disease Foundation, Friends of the Governor's Mansion, Texas Conference for Women, and the Seton Development Board.

0-5 years

Nick has served in key leadership positions both within Pennsylvania's Office of Administration (O.A.) and Governor's Office under both Governor Corbett and Governor Wolf. He brings a bipartisan approach to assisting GSL clients. While in O.A., Nick served as the Director of the Bureau of State Employment overseeing 32,000 non-civil service jobs and the application, interview and selection process associated with them. Nick built relationships with key stakeholders in the hiring process, including Deputies for Administration, labor unions and human resources personnel. Additionally, he was influential in proposing and implementing various executive orders, HR initiatives, management directives and policies throughout the enterprise


After transferring to the Governor's Office under Governor Wolf, Nick served as the Director of Administration and as a Deputy Chief of Staff before being named the Governor's Executive Deputy Chief of Staff. In these various roles, he oversaw personnel, procurement and the Governor's Office of Performance Through Excellence. He participated in legislative negotiations and played a key role in the Governor's final budget. Through his administration and procurement background, Nick has extensive experience working with all state agencies and delivery centers and specifically served as a liaison for the Office of Inspector General, Office of Administration, Department of General Services and the Department of Agriculture.

0-5 years

0-5 years

20+ years

20+ years

Mayor, City of Portland (2005-2006)

Portland City Council (2002-2008)

Northern New England Passenger Rail Authority, Board member (2021 - present). (confirmable position)

Portland Regional Chamber, Chair (2012-14), Trustee (2008-16; 2019- present)

Portland Community Chamber of Commerce, President (2019-21), Trustee (2016-present)

Maine State Chamber of Commerce, Trustee (2009 - present)

Federal Communications Bar Association, New England Steering Committee (2011 - present)

Portland Charter Commission, Vice-Chair (2009-2010)

Cumberland County Budget Advisory Committee, Chair (2005)

U.S. Conference of Mayors, Community and Faith-Based Initiatives Task Force, Vice Chair (2006)

Greater Portland Transit District, Trustee (2002-2005)

Project Green Schools, Advisory Trustee (2017-present)

Portland Trails, President (1997-1998), Advisory Trustee (2002 - present)

Mayor's Healthy Portland Task Force (2006-2008)

Portland School Department, Budget and Revenue Task Force, Chair (2013-4)

AV rated by Martindale-Hubbell

Recognized in Chambers USA: America's Leading Lawyers for Business under Energy & Natural Resources Law

Listed in The Best Lawyers in America for Administrative/Regulatory Law, Government Relations Practice, Energy Regulatory Law in Portland, Maine

Selected by peers for inclusion in New England Super Lawyers under Utilities, Banking and Government Relations

Recognized by Best Lawyers as the 2020 Portland, Maine Energy Law Lawyer of the Year

Neal W. Allen Award for Leadership in the Public Sector (2009)

Ruth M. Shaper Memorial Award, Maine Public Health Association (2008)

Public Service for the Environment Award, Sierra Club, ME Chapter (2006)

As a registered lobbyist for more than 25 years, Jim has developed strong relationships with key legislative leaders, committee members, and state agency officials on both sides of the aisle and across a wide range of policy areas.

As a former municipal official of Maine's largest city, including service on the Legislative Policy Committee of the Maine Municipal Association, Jim has developed an extensive network of municipal officials throughout the State of Maine.

Jim has represented several large statewide trade associations with members throughout the state which allowed him to develop strong relationships over many years with members of the state's banking industry, the water utility industry, the wastewater and sewer district community, county commissioners, and attorneys.

Jim for many years has been an active board member of the Maine State Chamber of Commerce whose board is comprised of business leaders from many of Maine's largest companies.

Jim has in recent years served as board chair of the Portland Regional Chamber and the Portland Community Chamber, which positions are highly visible within the business and government communities in the Portland area.

As a practicing public utilities lawyer, Jim has appeared before the Maine Public Utilities Commission and its staff since the early 1990s. In this role, he has also worked closely the Governor's Energy Office, the Office of Public Advocate, the Maine Department of Transportation, and staff from the Governor's Office across multiple administrations.

As a regulatory lawyer who practice includes representing local government agencies and attorneys, Jim has developed long-standing relationships within many state agencies, including Maine's Judicial Branch, professional licensing agencies, the Maine Department of Health and Human Services, the Maine Department of Environmental Protection, the Maine Department of Administrative and Financial Services, the Bureau of Financial Institutions, the Bureau of Consumer Credit Protection, the Department of Economic and Community Development, the Maine Bond Bank, the Finance Authority of Maine, the University of Maine System, and the Maine Community College System.

Jim has also developed long-standing relationships with the members of Maine's Congressional delegations and their staff.

Jim joined Verrill in 1991 has been a partner since 1999. He currently chairs Verrill's Energy, Telecommunications, and Natural Resources practice group, and he is a founding Director of Maine Street Solutions, Verrill's government relations affiliate. Jim focuses his legal and government relations practice on the following areas:

Energy
Telecommunications
Water and Wastewater Systems
Municipal Law
Procurement
Transportation
Substance Use Disorder Treatment

Jim's unique background as a regulatory lawyer, former Mayor, and trained mediator allows him to provide clients not only with insightful legal advice, but also with creative solutions involving public relations, facilitation, and outreach to key government, business, and community leaders. His experience in public service and leadership positions on multiple business and nonprofit boards gives him a deep understanding of government and a broad range of connections within Maine's business and political community. Applying these skills across a wide range of regulated industries, Jim has helped craft or modify laws and regulations; represented clients in adjudicatory proceedings before government agencies and the courts; assisted clients in complex business transactions; facilitated thousands of board, committee, and stakeholder group meetings; served as a public speaker or moderator at numerous conferences, seminars, trade association meetings, and televised news programs; and provided a wide range of legal and public policy advice.

Jim is a graduate of Columbia University School of Law (J.D.), Princeton University, Princeton School of Public and International Affairs, and the University of Southern Maine (Certificate Program in Mediation).

AV Preeminent rating in Martindale-Hubbell

Named Baltimore's "Lawyer of the Year" in Government Relations Law by Best Lawyers in America, 2015 and 2022

Named to The Best Lawyers in America for Government Relations since 2009

Bob is one of Maryland's best known lobbyists and concentrates his practice in the area of government relations. He is general counsel to the Maryland Bankers Association and is Maryland local counsel to the Property Casualty Insurers Association of America. He is closely involved in legislative and regulatory issues affecting banks, health care organizations and insurance-related entities. Bob also represents a wide range of other business interests before the Maryland General Assembly and State and local government agencies, including transportation companies, manufacturers, insurance companies, and associations of landlords, debt collectors and horsemen.

Bob represents clients in their dealings with State and local government legislative and regulatory bodies, including cases involving administrative hearings at all levels, with an emphasis on the resolution of issues before the Maryland Commissioner of Financial Regulation, the Maryland Insurance Administration, and the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. Bob's longstanding relationships formed through years of hard work with government officials throughout Maryland allow him to achieve unparalleled success for his clients. In an article on Maryland lobbyists, The Gazette newspaper said, "Enten is consistently in the top tier of Annapolis lobbyists. He is known for his relentless advocacy serving a broad client portfolio."

After Bob was named by Best Lawyers of America as the 2022 "Lawyer of the Year" in Government Relations Law in Baltimore, Center Maryland in its podcast titled "The Lobby" featured Bob and his successful, decades-long career in state politics.

6-10 years

2019 Capitol Inside Texas Lobby Power Rankings - "Rising Star"

Texas Legislature
Texas Governor's Office
Texas Commission on Environmental Quality
Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts
Public Utility Commission of Texas
Railroad Commission of Texas
Texas Water Development Board
Texas Department of Transportation
Texas Department of Agriculture
Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
Texas Animal Health Commission
Texas Department of Insurance
Texas Facilities Commission
Texas Health and Human Services Commission
Texas General Land Office
Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation
Texas Department of Public Safety

Matthew Bentley is a government relations consultant working for associations, companies, local governments and non-profit organizations in Texas. His practice is focused on environmental management, energy and utility regulations, private property interests, natural resources, infrastructure projects, economic development and alcohol issues. Matthew focuses his guidance on public positioning, issue management and government relations. His success relies greatly on his extensive relationships with elected officials and staff throughout the legislative and executive branches of state government. His work has resulted in the development and implementation of public policy; formulation of strategy with key government officials; and improved communication between legislative and business leaders at the highest level.

Matthew began independent lobbying during the 83rd Legislative Session (2013). Among others, he currently represents the country's largest telecommunications company, the state's leading utility association, a mining operation, a Class A water utility, a conservative tort reform organization, a multi-national transportation infrastructure company, a mid-sized manufacturer seeking regulatory rule changes, an association involved with the Texas Sunset Advisory Commission, a group of Texas wineries, a residential developer and a non-profit cancer research foundation. Previous clients have included the state's two largest waste and recycling businesses, several landowner groups, an oil and gas trade association, special purpose districts, a leading power generation company and other major infrastructure projects. Matthew was recently named a Top Ten "Rising Star" by Capitol Inside, a bi-partisan publication covering Texas politics and government.

Throughout the 82nd Texas Legislature (2011), Matthew was under contract to Reggie Bashur, Cliff Johnson, Clay Pope and Luis Saenz, working on their clients' interests before the Texas Legislature and agencies throughout the state. During the 81st Legislative Session (2009), he worked for Commissioner Todd Staples at the Texas Department of Agriculture, as the Commission underwent the Sunset Advisory Commission review process.

Matthew also previously served as Business Development Manager for Procurement Strategy Group, Inc. This Austin-based government relations firm was well respected by government and business leaders for brokering mutually beneficial procurement solutions, until it dissolved due to retiring partners in 2012. Matthew helped companies target and win projects with federal, state and local governments.

Matthew has considerable experience and great success in working on political campaigns throughout Texas and the United States. In 2018, Matthew had a one hundred percent win rate as he consulted on Cody Harris' campaign for the Texas House of Representatives, U.S. Congressman Lance Gooden's open seat race for Congress and judicial races throughout East Texas. Matthew also served as Campaign Manager for State Representative Byron's Cook successful 2016 campaign for re-election. That race was among the highest profile and most seriously contested races that cycle. Matthew started his campaign work with Commissioner Todd Staples' statewide Agriculture Commissioner campaign and Governor Rick Perry's 2010 gubernatorial and 2012 presidential races. Matthew is very involved with the Texas GOP's Mighty Texas Strike Force, having served as the Virginia Co-Captain for the 2016 General Election.

Matthew presently serves on the Advisory Council for Texan by Nature, a non-profit organization founded by Former First Lady, Laura Bush, which focuses on safeguarding the environment with respect to private property interests and economic development. Matthew graduated from The University of Texas at Austin.

Jason is a member of the Firm's Government Relations Team, bringing more than 10 years of outstanding experience working with officials in Maryland government.

Prior to joining the Firm, Jason served as a trusted, strategic advisor to Speaker Adrienne A. Jones and to her predecessor, Speaker Michael E. Busch, with whom he developed a deep understanding of the legislative process at the highest level.

Serving as Senior Legislative Counsel from 2012 to 2020, Jason worked with the Speaker and House of Delegates' leadership on a broad array of complex and substantive legislation, with a focus on tax, gaming, procurement, energy, business and economic development issues. He was one of a select few staff that helped manage legislation on the floor of the House.

Jason is known for his thoughtful approach to solving complicated legislative issues and maintains strong relationships among the legislative and executive branches of government. He has worked closely with trade associations of banks, residential rental property owners, thoroughbred horsemen, builders, insurers, and energy, health care and cannabis companies.

Over the years, Jason has provided strategic legal and political advice on a number of high-profile pieces of legislation, including the Racing and Community Development Act of 2020 and multiple statewide frameworks for gaming expansion. He has drafted significant portions of the tax code and has a deep understanding of the State's business tax credit and incentive programs. In his role as Senior Legislative Counsel, Jason worked closely with legislative leadership and their staffs, while maintaining close working relationships with senior staff in the Senate of Maryland and Governor's Office, as well.

Prior to joining the Speaker's staff, Jason spent four years working as a nonpartisan attorney for the Department of Legislative Services, including two as Counsel to the House Ways and Means Committee.

Jason is admitted to the Maryland Bar.

0-5 years

Before joining the GSL team, Elizabeth worked as a registered lobbyist in Harrisburg. She assists the GSL team in communications and public affairs strategy, design and delivery.

Elizabeth attended Penn State University and received a Bachelor of Arts in Communication with a concentration in Public Relations. Elizabeth was a member of the Phi Theta Kappa National Honor Society.

Elizabeth is an avid golfer and volunteers with LPGA*Girls Golf USA in the Central Pennsylvania area. She is also a member of the Harrisburg Young Professionals.