20+ years

Effectively lobbied on behalf of school/parental choice organizations to create virtual public charter school options; give high performing public charter schools greater regulatory flexibility, including accelerating the fast track replication process for successful charters; provide local public education authorities with the opportunity to purchase online and digital learning products and services directly from qualified vendors; and establish education savings accounts for children with special needs, who require educational options that traditional public schools may not be able to provide.

Led the lobbying team that passed landmark health care legislation integrating behavioral and physical health care benefits and services for North Carolina Medicaid patients and providing for the licensure and regulation of health plans that will provide these services via a Medicaid managed care transformation program in the state.

Secured a two-year four-county pilot project for an organization that uses an interactive cinematic, evidence-based approach to teach students about the negative impacts of bullying and violence, risky driving, and alcohol and drugs, and in place, strives to teach students about entrepreneurship and healthy behaviors overall.

Lobbied successfully to update state insurance laws that will improve the financial stability of domestic insurance companies by providing them with greater, and timelier, access to capital.

Lobbied, pro bono, with North Carolina and national Jewish organizations to add North Carolina as the 22nd state to enact HB 161: Divestment from Companies that Boycott Israel. HB 161 ensures that the people and the government of the state do not unknowingly become a party to discriminatory business practices or boycotts against the State of Israel.

A lobbyist at the North Carolina General Assembly for over 30 years, Harry is a senior advisor with McGuireWoods Consulting's state government relations group and is a partner with McGuireWoods LLP. Through his extensive work in state government relations, Harry has been at the forefront on many crucial public policy issues, particularly in the areas of education and health care.

His role in shaping and influencing public policy was recognized in 2017, when Harry was awarded the Order of the Long Leaf Pine, the highest honor that the Governor of North Carolina can bestow to persons who have a record of service to the State.

Since beginning his government relations and legal career in 1988, Harry has been consistently recognized as one of the most influential lobbyists in Raleigh.

Harry represents public and private companies, as well as associations and nonprofit organizations, on a range of issues including education, health care and health insurance, pharmacy, economic development, finance and tax, property and casualty insurance, and the environment. He has extensive experience representing clients at the legislature and before state agencies, boards and commissions, and local governments.

Prior to joining McGuireWoods, Harry ran his own legal and lobbying practice for more than a decade and also served as director of government relations and counsel for the North Carolina Region of Kaiser Permanente.

RYAN KILPATRICK is a founding partner at AI. Prior to helping launch AI, Ryan was a partner at FKG Consulting. In his role at AI, Ryan Kilpatrick develops and implements public affairs strategies for clients at the state and municipal levels. Past projects include helping to pass a statewide cigarette tax increase, working to facilitate agreement between auto insurers and transportation network companies in Oklahoma, and efforts to modernize Oklahoma's alcohol laws. He also co-chairs the policy committee for the Oklahoma Turning Point Council, a group that seeks to improve health outcomes through community partnerships.

Ryan previously worked on legislative and statewide campaigns and worked in Washington, DC for Congressman Tom Cole. Ryan graduated from Trinity University in San Antonio. His community involvement includes Leadership Oklahoma City's LOYAL Class X, the Downtown Club of OKC, Big Brothers Big Sisters and coaching volleyball for the Oklahoma City Police Athletic League. Ryan is a sports fanatic; you can catch him and his wife Mary Ellen at an OKC Thunder or Energy FC game.

6-10 years

Jeffrey L. Barnhart joined McGuireWoods Consulting in October 2011 as a senior vice president of State Government Relations. He works out of the firm's Raleigh office assisting clients and helping the firm grow its national and multistate practice in the southeast.Representing Cabarrus County, Jeff served 11 years in the North Carolina General Assembly before relinquishing his seat in 2011. He was most recently co-chair of the House Appropriations Committee and was a strong healthcare proponent earning numerous recognitions from many organizations. Before his tenure as a House Representative, Jeff served as a Cabarrus County Commissioner for 10 years. He was also acting County Manager for Cabarrus for eight months and served on the county's Water & Service Authority (six years) and Economic Development Board of Directors (nine years).In addition to his strong local and state public sector experience, Jeff is a former small business owner who possesses significant private sector experience. He recently spent three years at the helm of a local healthcare center and also worked at IBM for 10 years in a number of different capacities from engineering to marketing to management. He is ranked the 13th Most Influential Lobbyist of the 2013 Legislative Session by the North Carolina Center for Public Policy Research in its annual survey of lobbyists, legislators and Capitol Press Corps members.Jeff served in the United States Air Force from 1978 to 1982 working in Communications Security.

Patty is a seasoned veteran who served as deputy secretary for legislative affairs for Governor's Rendell and Schweiker. She also served as a liaison between members of the state general assembly and the governor's office in negotiating legislation, capital budget projects and constituent issues. Patty consulted with state House and Senate leaders on legislative agendas, and coordinated the development and introduction of legislation for 15 departments and agencies of the executive branch, including the Liquor Control Board, the Department of Transportation, Turnpike Commission, the Department of Environmental Protection, the Department of Public Welfare (now the Department of Human Services) and the Department of Labor & Industry. From 2001 to 2003, Patty served as acting secretary and deputy secretary for legislative affairs under Governor Mark Schweiker. During the Ridge administration, she served as both legislative director and assistant legislative director for the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue. Patty was also a senior lobbyist for another government relations firm, where she lobbied the Pennsylvania General Assembly and developed legislative/procurement strategies for clients in industries such as transportation, financial services, gaming, liquor and healthcare, as well as for municipal and county governments.

6-10 years

PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND
Massachusetts State Senate, Legislative Aide
Executive Office of Environmental Affairs, Legislative Director
Sullivan & McLaughlin Companies, Project Manager

EDUCATION
Middlebury College, B.A. 1992

20+ years

supported a major e-commerce company with launch of local office
represented a licensed professional association for insurance coverage
represented a major health care organization for creative bond financing
represented an environmental services/energy company for inclusion in renewable portfolio standard
successfully represented a major physician group on scope of practice
represented a major drug manufacturer for insurance coverage
represented health care entities on payment reform
steered passage of Massachusetts Gaming Control Statute
negotiated settlement in lieu of ballot question on teacher evaluation
convinced private insurers to include orphan drugs in their formulary

President of Issues Management Group
President of Murphy, Ryan & O'Keefe Attorneys at Law, Peabody, MA
President of Murphy and Rennick Attorneys at Law, Peabody, MA and Washington, D.C.
Member of Great and General Court, 1971-1984
Chairman, Committee on Bills in the Third Reading
Majority Whip
Majority Leader
Past Member of Executive Committee of National Conference of State Legislatures
Past Member of Executive Committee of Council of State Governments

EDUCATION
Suffolk University Law School, J.D., 1968
Providence College, B.A., 1965

MICHAEL BZDYRA, Senior Lobbyist at FOCUS Government Affairs, has extensive experience in state government and provides government relations services for a variety of clients. Mike works closely with organizations in the financial industry, business clients, and educational organizations, on a wide variety of issues related to their businesses and government affairs goals. He possesses excellent relationships with the administration, executive branch agencies, the legislature, as well as with local municipal officials across the state.

Mike has more than 30 years of professional experience in Connecticut state government. Most recently from 2016 to 2019, Mike served as Commissioner of the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). He was responsible for the overall operations of the DMV that served millions of customers annually and led the department of 800 employees and managed a $66 million budget. He previously served as the DMV Deputy Commissioner.

Prior to joining the DMV, Mike served as the Government Relations Liaison to the Connecticut Resources Recovery Authority (CRRA). In this role, he was responsible for directing, planning, and implementing CRRA's legislative, governmental, and regulatory activities. He also regularly collaborated with the Connecticut State Legislature, the Governor's office, and executive branch agencies.

In addition, Mike has served as the Senior Policy/Communications Specialist at the Senate Democrat's office and as a legislative aide and clerk for the General Assembly's Finance, Revenue and Bonding Committee.

Stephen R. Kinney , a partner in the firm, joined Gaffney, Bennett and Associates in 1985. A longtime political advisor to Democratic U.S. Senator Christopher J. Dodd, Steve played a pivotal role in Dodd's last four successful re-election bids and in his presidential campaign. Previously, he served as a member of Dodd's staff and acted as a liaison to the Connecticut General Assembly.

On the state level, Steve first earned his political stripes under former Democratic House Speakers Ernest Abate and Irving Stolberg. During their leadership tenures, Steve was principally responsible for coordinating the movement of legislative business on the House floor.

Over the past 30-plus years, Steve's coalition building skills, his knowledge of the legislative process, and his political "sixth sense" have become invaluable assets to the firm. His extensive government relations and political experience are highly regarded by lawmakers and other key decision makers in both Hartford and Washington, D.C. His counsel and expertise are regularly sought on a wide variety of subjects, including: health care, human services, general law, telecommunications, state regulatory and municipal issues, and budget and tax matters.

6-10 years

I have been recognized by the Nashville Post list of In-Charge: Government & Politics for 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022

Our firm was recognized nationally by the Public Relations Society of America for our comprehensive public affairs campaign to bring Major League Soccer to Nashville

Mark Cate is the Founder and President of Stones River Group, a Nashville-based public affairs firm serving both Tennessee, regional and national clients. He formerly served as Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam's chief of staff, where he was his top advisor, strategist and negotiator.

During his tenure with the Haslam Administration, Mark led several legislative policy initiatives, including K-12 education reform, workers' compensation reform, civil service reform, an alternative approach to Medicaid expansion, and postsecondary education reform, including the nationally-acclaimed Tennessee Promise program.

Prior to serving in state government, Mark successfully managed Governor Haslam's first gubernatorial campaign in 2010, which led to a record-setting general election victory. He previously worked as an executive in real estate management and development and served for 16 years as a higher education leader. Over the course of his career, Mark has served as a chief development officer, chief planning officer, chief marketing officer, and as a chief financial officer—working on budgets ranging from $10 million to $30 billion.

Mark grew up in Maryville, TN and currently lives in Brentwood with his wife Cathy who serves as the Executive Director of Leadership Tennessee. He and Cathy have two daughters, Bailey who is a recent graduate at Rhodes College and currently serves as a fellow at the Crop Trust in Bonn, Germany; and Abbie who is rising junior at George Washington University.

Cate received a B.S from Carson-Newman College, an M.S from the University of Tennessee, and Harvard University's Institute for Educational Management certificate program. He's served on a wide variety of non-profit boards and was an elected member of the Maryville Board of Education.

Prior to joining DMGS and spending some time in the private sector, Ron served as the Legislative Director for the PA Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED). There he worked with the Governor's office and four Legislative Caucuses on passage and enactment of the $2 billion Economic Development Stimulus Legislation under Governor Rendell. In addition, he served as the DCED staff lead to key Legislative Caucus Board staffers on the Commonwealth Finance Authority (CFA).

Prior to his time with the DCED, Ron was a key staffer in the General Assembly, working in various roles that ultimately led him to serve for Representative Phyllis Mundy as Executive Director of the Northeast Delegation. There he directed regional legislative activities for lawmakers on a variety of issues, staffed committee meetings in Harrisburg and Northeastern Pennsylvania, and monitored funding opportunities for delegation members.

Ron most recently served on the transition team of Harrisburg Mayor Eric Papenfuse. Additionally, he served as Community and Economic Development Committee Chair for PA Auditor General Eugene DePasquale's Transition Team in 2012 as well as Chairman of Public Safety for the Olde Uptown Harrisburg Neighborhood Association.

6-10 years

Stephen Susano is the Co-Founder and COO of Stones River Group, a Nashville-based public affairs firm serving both Tennessee, regional and national clients. He provides clients with strategic counsel on business opportunities and project management, regulatory matters, procurement, economic development, third-party engagement, and market positioning. Stephen leverages his lengthy private-sector experience and deep network of relationships with business leaders and key policymakers in state and local government across Tennessee to deliver solutions for clients in multiple industries.

Prior to Stones River Group, Stephen served as Executive Director of the Tennessee Business Partnership (TBP), an advocacy organization supported by many of the state's leading enterprises. He spearheaded its efforts to advance pro-business policies, including education and judicial reforms, to encourage job growth and economic development. In 2014, Stephen led the statewide "Vote Yes on 2" campaign in support of the Judicial Selection Amendment to the Tennessee constitution. Stephen built a broad coalition of business groups, trade associations, legal advocates and community leaders in favor of the amendment. This coalition's successful mobilization helped ensure the amendment was approved with overwhelming support, carrying 94 out of 95 counties in Tennessee

Prior to working in the public affairs space, Stephen had an extensive career in the financial services industry. He served in operating and business development roles for several investment advisers and asset management firms. He has consulted with and raised capital for both U.S. and foreign-based investment firms, and has negotiated distribution and trading agreements with multiple financial services companies. Through his work, Stephen navigated complex regulatory regimes in domestic and offshore jurisdictions

Stephen grew up in Knoxville, Tennessee and currently lives in Brentwood with his wife, Ana. He and Ana have four children. Stephen serves on the board of the Nashville Downtown Partnership.

15-20 years

Member of the national council of state legislatures

20+ years

Jay F. Malcynsky, Esq., is the co-founder and managing partner of Gaffney, Bennett and Associates, Inc. Jay is also a practicing attorney licensed in Connecticut and Washington, D.C., and is the founder and managing partner of The Law Offices of Jay F. Malcynsky, P.C. In these capacities, Jay has distinguished himself as one of the most knowledgeable, highly respected, and capable professionals in the fields of government relations and political consulting, as well as administrative law. At the state Capitol, clients and legislators frequently call upon Jay's skills in negotiating agreements, forging alliances, and coordinating crisis management. Under his leadership, Gaffney, Bennett and Associates has mounted a record of success unsurpassed in Connecticut.

Jay has been an active and longtime political strategist. Prior to establishing the firm, Jay managed U.S. Congressman Stewart B. McKinney's political campaigns in 1980 and 1982. He also managed the re-election bids of U.S. Congresswoman Nancy Johnson and U.S. Senator Lowell P. Weicker, in 1984 and 1988, respectively. In 2000, Jay served as campaign manager for Bush for President in Connecticut, and was among the lead attorneys representing the Bush campaign during the Florida recount effort.

He is currently vice chairman of the Board of Directors of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston, and serves on the Boards of Directors of The UConn Foundation, the Nutmeg State Games, and Connecticut Legal Services.

After graduating from law school, Jay served as a trial attorney in the Office of Civil Rights at the U.S. Department of Education in Washington, D.C. He also served as an attorney for the U.S. House of Representatives.