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LAUREN VELLA

Subjects: All Subjects

Links:Website

Launched Cornerstone's 14th state office in Delaware

Former Chief of Staff to University of Delaware President

Former Chief of Staff to the Speaker of the House in the Delaware House of Representatives

Former Policy & Legislative Director to the Delaware Attorney General

Lauren Vella joined Cornerstone in January of 2025, launching the firm's Delaware office and expanding our Mid-Atlantic reach and capabilities.

Prior to Cornerstone, Lauren served as Chief of Staff to the University President at the University of Delaware (UD).

Lauren also served as Chief of Staff to the Speaker of the House in the Delaware House of Representatives, where she managed the staff of the Majority Caucus and was the chief advisor to House Majority Caucus Leadership to shape and achieve their policy and political goals. Lauren served Attorney General Kathy Jennings as Policy & Legislative Director for the Delaware Department of Justice during Jennings' first term where she managed the significant legislative agenda for the department.

Lauren holds a Master of Public Administration from the University of Pennsylvania and an Honors Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Delaware.

VERITY WATSON

I'm a government relations professional with deep experience in Delaware's legislative and political landscape. I began my career with the Delaware General Assembly, where I developed a strong understanding of the legislative process, and later joined Ruggerio Willson Watson. In my current role, I help clients develop and execute strategic advocacy efforts that drive policy change, secure funding, and build meaningful relationships with state leaders. My work spans key issue areas including education, energy, and healthcare. Recognized as one of the state's most active lobbyists and part of a team named among Delaware's most influential political voices, I bring both policy expertise and strong stakeholder relationships to all of my work.

11-15 years

Deemed by the Delaware State News as the most active lobbyist based on the number of bills registered

In 2022, Verity and the RWW team were named some of the most influential Delawareans in politics by the Delaware News Journal.

Listed as a member of 40 under 40 in 2023

Served as President and Grants Chair of the Next Generation-South, a local organization that supports nonprofits in Kent and Sussex counties and Secretary of Spur Impact, the nonprofit that puts on the annual Mill Summit.

Served on the school board for First State Military Academy, a public charter school in Kent County. On Lt. Governors Gay's Finance Committee

Staffed a bi-partisain legislative joint committee

Verity Watson joined Ruggerio Willson Watson in 2016 after working for the Delaware General Assembly where she gained an intimate understanding of the legislative process, policy analysis experience, and built strong working relationships with elected officials and state agency leaders. In her current role, Verity guides clients in the creation and execution of strategic government relations plans that result in policy changes, monetary investments, and relationship building with elected officials and government leaders. She works in policy areas ranging from education to energy to health.

During the 2018 legislative session, Verity was deemed by the Delaware State News as the most active lobbyist based on the number of bills registered. In 2022, Verity and the RWA team were named some of the most influential Delawareans in politics by the Delaware News Journal. She was recognized by the Delaware Association of Chiefs of Police for her advocacy.

Verity has served as President and Grants Chair of the Next Generation-South, a local organization that supports nonprofits in Kent and Sussex counties and Secretary of Spur Impact, the nonprofit that puts on the annual Mill Summit. She also served on the school board for First State Military Academy, a public charter school in Kent County. Verity spends much of her free time at the Cape Henlopen and Seashore State Park beaches with her husband and young daughter and son.

KIM WILLSON

I've been passionate about politics and public policy for as long as I can remember, with experience across government, campaigns, nonprofit work, and the private sector. I started my career with the Delaware Volunteer Firemen's Association, then went on to serve as Scheduler and Executive Assistant to U.S. Senator Tom Carper, where I gained firsthand experience in federal operations and stakeholder engagement. Since then, I've worked on statewide campaigns, led education reform efforts, and most recently directed government relations for Valero Energy in Delaware, where I represented the company at all levels of government and helped navigate complex policy challenges. Today, I leverage that experience to build strong relationships and drive effective advocacy strategies that deliver results.

15-20 years

In 2022, Kim and the RWW team were named some of the most influential Delawareans in politics by the Delaware News Journal.

Named to the 40 under 40 in 2016

Women in Business Honoree in 2021

Worked with Sen. Tom Carper as a key staffer on his Senate campaign in 2026.

Gubernatorial appointment to the Delaware Community Foundation board.

Worked on various campaigns in a fundraising position.

Kim Willson has been interested in politics for as long as she can remember and comes to Ruggerio Willson & Associates with extensive experience. Her diverse background, which covers statewide and Senatorial campaigns, local community organizations and work in the non-profit sector as well as Fortune 500 companies positions her as an immediate contributor to the success of RWW.

Kim's first foray into local politics started in college when she began working for the Delaware Volunteer Firemen's Association's (DVFA) administration. Her role with the DVFA provided Kim with first-hand knowledge of how local organizations and governments work together. It also gave her hands-on experience in cultivating those relationships, which is a skill vital to success in all aspects of government relations. Kim's next step was into national politics, serving as State Scheduler and Executive Assistant for United States Senator Tom Carper (D-DE). During this time, Kim was in daily communication with the Senator and served as the first point of contact for anyone trying to schedule meetings or events with him. She worked with both the Delaware and Washington, D.C. staff, and played an integral role in Senator Carper's successful 2006 Senate Re-Election Campaign.

Kim then entered the non-profit sector as the Program Manager for Vision 2015, an education reform program focused on transforming public education in Delaware to a world-class status. During her tenure with Vision 2015, Kim's daily interactions were with various school officials, the Department of Education, the University of Delaware Provosts, as well as state, local, and federal elected officials to further the mission, gain support, and work towards securing funding to continue the growth of the program.

Following her time with Vision 2015, Kim returned to the political campaign arena, serving as Regional Field Director in Kent County (DE) for the 2008 Delaware Democratic Party Coordinated Campaign. While there, Kim worked intimately with local, state, and federal elected officials and party leaders to ensure a Democratic win from the presidential race to the local offices, along with helping to secure a democratic majority in the Delaware House of Representatives.

Most recently, Kim led Government Relations for Valero Energy Corporation, a Fortune 500 company, in Delaware. During her tenure with Valero, Kim served as the face of Valero in Delaware, representing the company in the community but also working with members of Delaware's government on all levels, including the congressional delegation, State House of Representatives, State Senate, various state agencies, and the office of the governor. Kim worked to educate all parties about the refinery. She also helped to pull together union and state business leaders in order to stop a piece of legislation that would have cost Valero several million dollars.

Kim is married with two daughters. She is very involved with the local organization, Gals that Give. Aside from the beach, her favorite hang-outs are the local Crossfit box and yummy locally-owned restaurants.

RHETT RUGGERIO

I began my career in Delaware politics managing the successful mayoral campaign of James Baker in Wilmington and went on to serve as a senior advisor, helping lead multiple re-election efforts. I've also worked at the state and national level, including leading the Delaware Democratic Party's Coordinated Campaign and serving as a National Committeeman. In 2005, I founded Ruggerio Willson Watson, which has grown into one of Delaware's top government relations firms. Today, I also serve as Interim Head of Government Relations at the University of Delaware and teach lobbying and influence at the Biden School of Public Policy. Throughout my career, I've focused on building strong relationships and delivering strategic advocacy that drives results.

20+ years

Named one of the "Top 20 Most Influential in Politics and Business" by the Wilmington News Journal and DelawareOnline.com for four consecutive years (2021-2024).

In 2022, the RWW team was named some of the most influential Delawareans in politics by the Delaware News Journal.

In 2025, I chaired the inaugural festivities for Governor Matt Meyer.

I currently serve as Interim Head of Government Relations at the University of Delaware, sit on the boards of the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce and UD's Department of Political Science, and teach Lobbying and Influence at University of Delaware's Joseph R. Biden School of Public Policy.

On Attorney General Kathy Jennings Finance Committee On Congresswoman McBride's Finance Committee

Led the Delaware Democratic Party's Coordinated Campaign, including the late Beau Biden's election as Attorney General, and served as a National Committeeman and super delegate to the Democratic National Convention.

Rhett Ruggerio launched his political career in Wilmington, Delaware, managing the successful 2000 mayoral campaign of James M. Baker. He went on to serve as a top advisor to the Mayor, chairing two re-election campaigns and helping secure three terms in office. Rhett also led the Delaware Democratic Party's Coordinated Campaign, including the late Beau Biden's election as Attorney General, and served as a National Committeeman and super delegate to the Democratic National Convention.

In 2025, he chaired the inaugural festivities for Governor Matt Meyer.

Rhett founded Ruggerio Willson & Associates in 2005 (now Ruggerio Willson Watson), a top-ranked firm in Delaware. He's been named one of the "Top 20 Most Influential in Politics and Business" by the Wilmington News Journal and DelawareOnline.com for four consecutive years (2021-2024).

Currently, Rhett serves as Interim Head of Government Relations at the University of Delaware, sits on the boards of the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce and UD's Department of Political Science, and teaches Lobbying and Influence at University of Delaware's Joseph R. Biden School of Public Policy.

Outside of work, Rhett enjoys time at the Delaware beaches, walking his pups Ted and Dixie - or chauffeuring his wife and daughters on a shopping run.

CARSON BAKER

(Pennsylvania)
Clients:

JENNA EARLEY

(Pennsylvania)
Clients:

43) Kooth USA, LLC

44) Lion Health System

45) LIUNA Mid-Atlantic Regional Organizing Coalition

46) Local Union No. 1319 O.S.H.E.

47) Luzerne County Child Advocacy Center

48) Malibu Wellness Ranch

49) Malt Beverage Distributors Association of PA

50) Martz Trailways

51) Messiah Lifeways

52) MidPoint Group of Companies, Inc.

53) Misericordia University

54) Modern Treasury

55) New Birth of Freedom Council, Boy Scouts of America #544

56) Nlyten Corporation

57) Olivet Boys & Girls Club of Reading and Berks County

58) PA Association for Justice

59) PA State Building & Construction Trades Council

60) Pennsylvania Association of Staff Nurses and Allied Professionals

61) Pennsylvania Beer Alliance

62) Pennsylvania Cannabis Coalition

63) Pennsylvania Principals Association

64) Pennsylvania Society of Physician Assistants

65) Pennsylvania State Nurses Association

66) Pennsylvania Trolley Museum Inc.

67) Phila Trial Lawyers Assn.

68) Philadelphia School District

69) Prestige Healthcare Administrative Services

70) Recycle the World, Inc.

71) Rikore, Inc.

72) Rutter's Holdings, Inc.

73) Sheet Metal Workers LU 19

74) Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) of Luzerne County

75) Summit Realty Advisors, LLC

76) Takeda Pharmaceuticals USA, Inc.

77) Terrapin Investment Fund 1, LLC

78) Ticket Network

79) Total Security International LLC

80) Valley Crest Real Estate, LP

81) Verified Voting.Org., Inc

82) Viatris Inc.

83) Waste Reduction Recycling Transfer, Inc.

84) William J. Brennan, Jr. Center for Justice

THOMAS LIPKO

(Pennsylvania)
  • 909 Green StreetHarrisburgPA17102

Clients:
  • 500 West Monroe Streetc/o Nancy RohrbackChicagoIL60661

MATTHEW PLUMMER

(Pennsylvania)
Clients:

55) Keystone Seniors, Inc.

56) Kimball Motion Analytics LLC

57) Kingsley Association

58) Kooth USA, LLC

59) Lackawanna College

60) Leading Youth For Excellence

61) Lion Health System

62) LIUNA Mid-Atlantic Regional Organizing Coalition

63) Local Union No. 1319 O.S.H.E.

64) Luzerne County Child Advocacy Center

65) Malibu Wellness Ranch

66) Malt Beverage Distributors Association of PA

67) Martz Trailways

68) McCarthy Tire

69) Messiah Lifeways

70) MidPoint Group of Companies, Inc.

71) Misericordia University

72) Modern Treasury

73) Mowery Entertainment

74) New Birth of Freedom Council, Boy Scouts of America #544

75) Nlyten Corporation

76) PA Association for Justice

77) PA State Building & Construction Trades Council

78) Pennsylvania Association of Staff Nurses and Allied Professionals

79) Pennsylvania Beer Alliance

80) Pennsylvania Cannabis Coalition

81) Pennsylvania Society of Physician Assistants

82) Pennsylvania State Nurses Association

83) Pennsylvania Trolley Museum Inc.

84) Phila Trial Lawyers Assn.

85) Philadelphia School District

86) Prestige Healthcare Administrative Services

87) Recycle the World, Inc.

88) Red Horizon Global

89) Rikore, Inc.

90) Rutter's Holdings, Inc.

91) RVG Management and Development Co.

92) Scranton Preparatory School.

93) Sheet Metal Workers LU 19

94) Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) of Luzerne County

95) Summit Realty Advisors, LLC

96) Takeda Pharmaceuticals USA, Inc.

97) The Lands at Hillside Farms

98) Ticket Network

99) Total Security International LLC

100) Valley Crest Real Estate, LP

101) Verified Voting.Org., Inc

102) Viatris Inc.

103) Visit Hershey & Harrisburg Inc.

104) Waste Reduction Recycling Transfer, Inc.

105) Weidner Construction

106) William J. Brennan, Jr. Center for Justice

107) YourChoice

DAVID THOMAS

(Pennsylvania)
  • 717-961-5450

  • 600 North 3rd StreetSuite 101HarrisburgPA17101

Clients:

1) 1315 Investments, LP

2) ACE Cash Express

3) Age of Learning

4) Allen Real Estate LLC

5) Allied Services Integrated Health System

6) Almond Digital Health

7) Altria Client Services LLC and its Affiliates

8) AMLL Management Group

9) AMP Global Strategies

10) Antrim Investment Group, LLC

11) ARM Development LLC

12) Association of Gaming Equipment Manufacturers

13) AT&T Inc.

14) Aviat Networks

15) Bounty Minerals

16) Byler Management

17) Caprice Management

18) Carey Holdings LLC

19) Casey Recovery, LLC

20) Catalight

21) Catapult Learning

22) Central Penn College

23) Chick-fil-A, Inc.

24) Child USA

25) Chobani

26) Christian School Association of Greater Harrisburg

27) Churchill Downs Incorporated

28) City of Philadelphia

29) CNX Gathering LLC

30) CNX Land LLC

31) Coalition for Community Solar Access

32) Coalition For Home Equity Partnership

33) College Board

34) Compass Learning

35) Concurrent Technologies Corporation

36) Critical Response Group

37) Crown Display Inc.

38) Dallas Area Fall Fair Inc. TA The Luzerne County Fair

39) Dallas Suites LLC

40) Deloitte Consulting LLP

41) Dillon Floral Corporation

42) Eco 1st Logistics

43) EduConsult Consulting

44) Effective School Solutions

45) Fairview West LLC

46) First National Bank of Pennsylvania

47) FMP Realty LLC

48) G&F Realty

49) GREATER JOHNSTOWN REGIONAL PARTNERSHIP

50) Greenview Development, Inc.

51) Hazel Health, Inc.

52) HeyTutor

53) Hidden Still Spirits

54) Higher Information Group

55) Hill Valley Healthcare

56) Housing And Redevelopment Insurance Exchange

57) Ibotta, Inc.

58) Inch & Co

59) Indo-American Community of Scranton

60) IUPAT District Council 21

61) Jewish Community Alliance of NEPA

62) Jewish Home of Eastern Pennsylvania

63) Keystone Seniors, Inc.

64) Kingsley Association

65) Kooth USA, LLC

66) Kyndryl, Inc.

67) Lackawanna College

68) Leading Youth For Excellence

69) LIUNA Mid-Atlantic Regional Organizing Coalition

70) Luzerne County Child Advocacy Center

71) Malibu Wellness Ranch

72) Malt Beverage Distributors Association of PA

73) Martz Trailways

74) McCarthy Tire

75) Messiah Lifeways

76) MidPoint Group of Companies, Inc.

77) Misericordia University

78) Modern Treasury

79) Mountain Springs Lake Resort LLC

80) Mowery Entertainment

81) New Birth of Freedom Council, Boy Scouts of America #544

82) Nlyten Corporation

83) NVNG Inc.

84) Olivet Boys & Girls Club of Reading and Berks County

85) PA Association for Justice

86) PA Parentage Coalition

87) PA State Building & Construction Trades Council

88) Patient Direct RX

89) Pennsylvania AFL-CIO

90) Pennsylvania Association of Staff Nurses and Allied Professionals

91) Pennsylvania Beer Alliance

92) Pennsylvania Principals Association

93) Pennsylvania Society of Physician Assistants

94) Pennsylvania State Nurses Association

95) Pennsylvania Trolley Museum Inc.

96) Phila Trial Lawyers Assn.

97) Philadelphia School District

98) Prestige Healthcare Administrative Services

99) Recycle the World, Inc.

100) Red Horizon Global

101) Rikore, Inc.

102) Rutter's Holdings, Inc.

103) Scranton Preparatory School.

104) Sentiment AI

105) Sheet Metal Workers LU 19

106) Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) of Luzerne County

107) Sordoni Properties, LLC

108) Sugar Plum Chocolates

109) Summit Realty Advisors, LLC

110) Takeda Pharmaceuticals USA, Inc.

111) Terrapin Investment Fund 1, LLC

112) The Lands at Hillside Farms

113) Ticket Network

114) Total Security International LLC

115) Valley Crest Real Estate, LP

116) Viatris Inc.

117) Visit Hershey & Harrisburg Inc.

118) Waste Reduction Recycling Transfer, Inc.

119) Weidner Construction

120) William J. Brennan, Jr. Center for Justice

121) YourChoice