20+ years

Served eight years as an officer in the United States Army Reserves, Judge Advocate General's Corps, earning the rank of Captain.

Justin currently serves on the board of the Iowa Taxpayers Association. Formerly served on Board of Adjustment for City of Johnston.

As CEO of PolicyWorks, Justin Hupfer is responsible for the firm's overall business operations and achievement of client objectives, while also serving as a full-time lobbyist during the legislative session. He previously served as Vice President of Government Affairs for the Iowa Credit Union League (ICUL), overseeing its federal and state government affairs activities and political action fundraising. Prior to that, he worked on the Republican caucus staff in the Iowa House, staffing the House Commerce and Economic Development Committees. Justin received his law degree with honors from Drake University Law School and graduated from Grinnell College in Iowa. He also served eight years as an officer in the United States Army Reserves, Judge Advocate General's Corps, earning the rank of Captain. Justin currently serves on the board of the Iowa Taxpayers Association.

15-20 years

Christopher serves on the board of directors of the Republican State Leadership Committee and is an active participant in the RLCC.

6-10 years

Julies Family Learning Program Board Member
Norwell Board of Selectman
2019- Medicine Wheels King of the Hill, presented to man of the year
Major General Henry Knox Unsung Hero
Registry of Deeds "Good Deed Award"
South Boston World War II Memorial Committee
Sons and Daughters of South Boston

Over the course of his career Rull has built a vast network of Government, Political, Non Profit and Business Officials. Rull has been fixture at Boston City Hall the past 20 years.

Joe Rull is a seasoned government, political, real estate development, procurement and operations advisor. Rull began his career in government over two decades ago when Boston Mayor Tom Menino appointed him as neighborhood liaison for the Office of Neighborhood Services and rose to become a special assistant to the Mayor. He also worked for several state agencies, primarily in capacities related to development and real estate, most notably Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport) and Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance (DCAMM). Rull returned to Boston City Hall as Chief of Operations for Mayor Marty Walsh overseeing The Office of Intergovernmental Affairs, The Office of Civic Engagement, Property and Construction Management, Labor Relations, Human Resources and Health Benefits, Retirement Office.

Rull has extensive political campaign experience, advising the campaigns of both Mayors Thomas Menino and Martin Walsh, Governor Deval Patrick, Senators Elizabeth Warren and Ed Markey, and Congressman Stephen Lynch to name a few.

Rull founded MJR consulting in 2015 specializing in Government Relations, Real Estate Development, Licensing, Permitting and Political Strategy.

20+ years

I served over twenty years at the local, state legislative and executive levels of government before entering the private sector. My background includes serving former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney as Legislative Director and working along-side the former Speaker of the Massachusetts House of Representatives, Thomas M. Finneran. I also worked as the Director of Government Relations & Educator Licensure for the Massachusetts Department of Education. Elected to two terms as a Revere, Massachusetts City Councilor-At-Large, and a member of Revere's School Committee for 6 consecutive years, I am also a licensed Superintendent, Assistant Superintendent and School Business Administrator in Massachusetts.

Throughout my career, I have been fortunate to establish lasting relationships which have led to noteworthy victories on behalf of clients. Whether it is legislative or regulatory; fiscal or procurement related, my respect, access and ability to nimbly navigate government is unrivaled.

Part of Boston's State and Local Affairs practice, representing clients ranging from Fortune 50 companies to non-profits. Represents a diverse set of clients; i.e., energy, high tech, healthcare, finance, consumer, and non-profit. Mulvey manages Boston's state and municipal procurement practice.

Prior to coming to DSG, Mulvey was a Principal at Fort Hill Advisors, a boutique lobbying firm located on Beacon Hill in Boston. Mulvey also worked in the Government Law & Strategies Legal practice at the Law Firm of Brown Rudnick. He also served as General Counsel for the Retailers Association of Massachusetts.

Mulvey was born and raised in Belmont, MA. He currently resides in Reading, MA with his wife and four sons. Mulvey is a 1991 graduate of Stonehill College and a 1997 graduate of the Massachusetts School of Law.

15-20 years

Steve Wise joined the Firm in 2002 and became a partner in 2008. Early in his career with the Firm he was recognized by the The Gazette as one of the "Rising Stars" of the State House lobbying corps, and he has consistently ranked among the top earning lobbyists in Annapolis since that time.

Steve represents a diverse group of clients before the General Assembly and State agencies, including trade associations and companies in the alcoholic beverage, insurance, gaming, health care, telecommunications and environmental industries.

Mr. Wise's legal practice focuses on administrative law and regulatory matters. He has appeared before the Liquor Boards in 16 of Maryland's 24 jurisdictions and before the Office of the Comptroller, representing alcoholic beverage licensees on licensing and enforcement matters. Steve also represents health care professionals in licensing and disciplinary proceedings before the Board of Physicians, insurance producers and premium finance companies before the Insurance Administration, and has represented maritime-related industries before the Department of Natural Resources. Steve has appeared in many of the State's Circuit Courts, and litigated cases both before the Court of Special Appeals and Court of Appeals.

Steve received his Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science in 1991 and his Masters degree in Public Administration in 1994, both from Florida State University. He graduated cum laude from the University Of Baltimore School Of Law in 2001, and he is admitted to the Maryland State Bar as well as the U.S. District Court for Maryland. Mr. Wise was born and raised on Maryland's Eastern Shore in Denton, and now resides in Annapolis with his wife Amy and twin sons.

CHRISTOPHER DURYEA serves as Managing Partner of Statewide Public Affairs. Certainly New York has experienced an unprecedented level of political upheaval over the past several years. As a result, partnering with government has become more challenging. In founding Statewide Public Affairs, Mr. Duryea's vision is to manage a dynamic, experienced and trusted team who excels for our client's government affairs needs within the context of today's challenging environment.

With over two decades of experience working in and around New York politics, Mr. Duryea has well-recognized expertise in assisting clients navigate the complexities of New York state and local government. As Managing Partner, Mr. Duryea is responsible for the continued success of Statewide's clients.

Most recently, Mr. Duryea was a Partner at Marsh, Duryea & Associates where he represented numerous clients and developed a particular expertise on corporate, taxation, economic development, telecommunications and energy matters. Mr. Duryea also previously served as Vice President of the Cable Telecommunications Association of New York, charged with overseeing day-to-day operations and leading government affairs efforts. Here he developed a keen understanding of telecommunications policy issues and trade association management skills.

Mr. Duryea first began building his vast understanding of New York politics as Office Manager for the Onondaga County Democratic Committee, where he worked on numerous Central New York political campaigns. Subsequently he became an expert on the inner workings of Albany, serving as Legislative Director for the Chairman of the New York State Assembly Corporations, Authorities & Commissions and Environmental Conservation Committees.

In May 2012, City & State News named Mr. Duryea as one of "Albany's Rising Stars" noting, "Duryea is a key player." Mr. Duryea is a veteran of the U.S. Navy's submarine service and has a Masters in Political Science from the Rockefeller College at SUNY Albany and a BA in Political Science from SUNY Albany.

FRANCIS X. MCMAHON, ESQ., the founder and president of Advocacy Solutions, has deep expertise in ally development, grassroots and grasstops coalition building, strategic communications management, and online advocacy for clients in a wide range of industries including healthcare, telecommunications, energy, and transportation.

Over the course of his career, Frank has been a key staff member and advisor on many winning political and issue campaigns. He served as Special Counsel and Deputy Chief of Staff to Rhode Island Governor Bruce Sundlun and has led campaigns for Honda Motor Corporation, Verizon, and National Grid.

An avid Friar basketball fan, Frank is a graduate of Providence College, Suffolk University Law School, and a member of the Rhode Island State and Federal Bar Association.

6-10 years

Jeff Fitzgerald is a partner with Paladin Consulting Group. Mr. Fitzgerald has very strong relationships and connections in the current political climate and is well positioned to help navigate the policy and political goals of our clients. Mr. Fitzgerald comes to Paladin after serving twelve years in the Wisconsin State Legislature. During the most recent session, Mr. Fitzgerald served as Speaker -- "the body's highest post. He has also served as Majority Leader and Assistant Majority Leader during his time in office. Through the leadership of Mr. Fitzgerald, the Assembly Republicans retook control of the Assembly in 2010 after losing the majority two years earlier. As a result of his years in the legislature, Mr. Fitzgerald has a thorough understanding of legislative strategy and procedure. He is very well positioned to help a client navigate government in the most efficient and effective way. Mr. Fitzgerald was
also a candidate for the United States Senate in 2012, giving him a statewide profile and relationships with numerous companies and communities throughout Wisconsin.

15-20 years

Because of our bipartisan makeup, we have strong relationships with legislative leaders and members in both houses and on both sides of the isle. We also have extensive relationships with the Governor's Administration.

BRYAN BROOKS is a partner with Paladin Consulting Group. With over 20 years of experience in political and policy arena in Wisconsin, Mr. Brooks is well equipped to help a wide variety of clients succeed. Mr. Brooks has strong expertise in strategic consulting, lobbying, procurement, political positioning, grassroots, grass tops, and public relations strategy

Prior to Paladin Consulting Group, Mr. Brooks was the President / Owner of Brooks Consulting LLC, a government and business consulting firm. Mr. Brooks also spent several years at Whyte Hirschboeck Dudek Government Affairs, a subsidiary of Whtye Hirschboeck Dudek SC law firm in Wisconsin. At both Brooks Consulting and WHDGA, Mr. Brooks worked with clients at the local, state, and federal levels in all areas of consulting.

Before beginning his career in government relations, Mr. Brooks served as a Chief of Staff, Research Assistant and Legislative Assistant in the Wisconsin State Legislature. As chief of staff, he was intimately involved in the strategy of all areas of the legislative process. Mr. Brooks has a detailed understanding of the legislative process and procedure as well as a strong familiarity with numerous issues in both houses of the Legislature and in various departments and agencies.

Mr. Brooks has also served as a political strategist on numerous state and national campaigns. Mr. Brooks has close relationships with the Governor's office and his Administration, Attorney General Josh Kaul and his office, and numerous members of the Legislature and their staff.

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.

Lincoln Shurtz has over two decades of experience advancing client priorities in both the public and private sectors. Before starting Legislative Insight Consulting, Lincoln served for four years in active military service in the US Army as a tank commander. The skills and political acumen he developed leading a platoon helped shape his career path, eventually leading him to the Utah League of Cities and Towns, where he became Director of Government Relations.

A bipartisan approach is part of what sets Lincoln apart from the rest. Relationships built on trust and experience provide more than partisan rhetoric.

Lincoln serves and has served on many boards, including EDCUtah, the Governor's Committee on Accountability and Government Efficiency, Utah Governor's Office of Economic Development, and the Moran Eye Center at the University of Utah.

Lincoln received degrees in Political Science and Economics from the University of Utah, where he is a lecturer in the MPA program. When not working, he can be found heliskiing in Utah and Canada and spending time with his family.

0-5 years

Jake bring more than ten years of experience working directly in the Iowa legislature. He most recently served as Chief of Staff to the last three House minority leaders. In this role, he was responsible for managing legislative agendas, coordinating caucus operations, and serving as a trusted advisor on political and policy strategy.

Before his tenure in legislative leadership, Jake served as Executive Officer to the State Treasurer, and worked on political campaigns throughout the state of Iowa. Throughout his career, he has built a reputation for thoughtful leadership, strong working relationships across the aisle, and a deep understanding of Iowa's political landscape.

Jake is a graduate of the University of Northern Iowa and earned his Master of Public Administration degree from Drake University.

6-10 years

Dianne began her career at the Massachusetts State House alongside freshman State Representative Marty Walsh, now former Secretary of the US Department of Labor. From there, she led public policy and intergovernmental relations for Massachusetts public safety and public health agencies. In those roles, she secured major funding for operations and capital improvements, and policies to improve services to the Commonwealth's most vulnerable residents. Shortly after Walsh became Mayor in 2014, she helped him build out Boston's first-ever Economic Development cabinet.Her experience includes public policy, legislative, and regulatory work for legislative, executive, and independent state agencies, municipal government, political campaigns, and private consulting. Dianne specializes in public safety, construction trades issues, the cannabis industry, and public health.

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.