20+ years

Jim Grace advises and advocates for a wide variety of clients on federal, state, and local public policy matters. His deep knowledge of and experience with governments and political campaigns at virtually all levels allow him to assist with complex government relations matters. Jim enhances and protects his clients' business opportunities by monitoring political developments and formulating and implementing strategies to help clients achieve their government relations objectives.

In addition to operating Grace & McEwan, in 2019, Jim and Jennifer McEwan were co-founders of Datum Tech, Inc., a mobile data advertising company. Datum ingested the location data from mobile devices at scale from around the United States and organized that data at the household level using parcel data. Once sorted, the location data could be matched to voter files and other address lists and utilized for highly targeted multiplatform advertising. Jim and Jennifer grew Datum to sixteen employees and yearly revenues of $9 million. They successfully exited in 2024 when Datum was acquired by a publicly traded gaming company.

Prior to forming Grace & McEwan Consulting, Jim chaired the Texas government relations practice at Baker Botts L.L.P. and served as director of Texas state relations and senior counsel at CenterPoint Energy, Inc. Before serving in an in-house counsel capacity, he was a member of a Houston-based international law firm where his practice concentrated on merger and acquisition transactions, securities offerings and general corporate matters for companies involved in oil and gas exploration and production; oil field and energy services; natural gas liquid processing; propane and heating oil and chemical production and distribution.

Jim holds a J.D., cum laude, from the University of Houston Law Center and a B.A. in History from the University of Notre Dame. In 2020, Jim received the University of Houston Law Alumni Association's Pro Bono/Community Service and Leadership Award for his pro bono efforts to secure $45 million in funding for a new building for the Law Center.

From 2016-2019, Jim was the Chair of the Board of Directors for Undies for Everyone, a charity that provides new underwear to underprivileged children, and he continues to serve on that organization's Board. He also currently is on the Board of Directors of the Houston Area Women's Center.

In 2007, the day before he turned 40, Jim took a commission in the United States Navy Reserve, and in 2011-12, he deployed to Afghanistan for nine months, where he served as an intelligence officer with a unit that conducted counterinsurgency operations.

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.

DAVID A. SMITH is a partner in the Princeton Public Affairs Group, is a veteran of the public affairs arena and has successfully managed public affairs campaigns impacting auto insurance, life insurance, tort reform and environmental legislative initiatives. Mr. Smith received national acclaim when he was honored with a ""Pollie Award"" by the American Association of Political Consultants and named to their United States ""Public Affairs Team of the Year." Mr. Smith was also named one of the most influential players in New Jersey's Healthcare arena by the Annual HealthSense Listing. Since 2005, Mr. Smith has been a Commissioner on the New Jersey Motion Picture and Television Commission (nominated by the Governor for two separate four year terms and confirmed by the NJ Senate) and currently serves as an Officer on the Commission (Secretary). Mr. Smith serves on the National Board of Directors of the Public Affairs Council, and was one of the few contract lobbyists in the Country to be appointed to a National Task Force charged with creating ethical standard for lobbyists throughout the United States. Mr. Smith is a founder and member of the Board of Directors of ProtectingAmerica.org, an advocacy organization Co-chaired by James Lee Witt, former Cabinet member under President Clinton and Admiral James Loy, Deputy Director of Homeland Security under President Bush. Mr. Smith also serves as an Officer (1st Vice President) of the New Jersey Hall of Fame Foundation Board of Directors and also serves on the Executive Committee (Secretary) of The Advocacy Group (TAG). Finally, Mr. Smith serves on the Board of Directors as an officer (Treasurer) of the State Capitol Insurance Company RRG, the first professional liability company for lobbyists headquartered in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Mr. Smith has appeared on television and radio stations representing clients' interests, authored dozens of articles on politics/policy issues in New Jersey and is a frequent guest speaker/lecturer at national and state conferences, legislative hearings, meetings and seminars. He has been a consultant to statewide and legislative political campaigns and is a member of the Executive Finance Committee of the Assembly Democratic Leadership Committee as well as the New Jersey State Democratic Committee. Prior to joining the firm in 1995, Mr. Smith served as Director of Policy and Planning for the New Jersey General Assembly Democratic Office. In that capacity, Mr. Smith supervised the partisan staff of all Assembly Committees and Task Forces while serving as senior staff aide to the insurance and commerce legislative committees. He was a Director with the New Jersey Dental Association from 1985 to 1990 and served on several national and state health care and insurance advisory committees.

Mr. Smith was awarded a Master of Science in Financial Services (MSFS) Degree from the Richard D. Irwin Graduate School of The American College. He is a Graduate Fellow of the Public Affairs Institute, a three year educational program of the Public Affairs Council located in Washington, DC. Mr. Smith also graduated with a Bachelors of Arts Degree in Political Science from Gettysburg College.

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.

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.

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.

Andrea Chavez advises clients on state and local public policy matters. She is experienced in devising effective policy strategies, drafting, analyzing, and monitoring legislation, and navigating clients through the legislative process and government agencies. Andrea has lived in Brazil, London, and Mexico and is deeply invested in furthering Texas-Mexico commercial ties by locating and helping develop beneficial projects for Grace & McEwan Consulting's clients.

Prior to joining Grace & McEwan Consulting, Andrea was a member of the government relations sections at both Greenberg Traurig, LLP, and Baker Botts L.L.P. and began her career as a legislative aide to Rep. David M. Leibowitz (D-San Antonio). During the 87th legislative session, she served as policy advisor to the Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives, Dade Phelan (R-Beaumont), her areas of expertise included county affairs, local government, transportation, and urban affairs. Andrea also has deep political campaign experience, having served as a Bexar County field representative for the Republican Party of Texas during the 2014 election cycle.

Andrea holds a B.A. in Economics and Political Science from St. Mary's University, and she is fluent in Spanish and French.

15-20 years

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.