20+ years

Named Top Lobbyist by Austin Business Journal Girl Scouts' "Woman of Distinction" AwardAustin Business Journal's "Profiles in Power" "Austin Under 40" AwardGlossy 8 list by Austin American-Statesman Austin Fashion Week's "Style Setter" Award

Lobbyist, political fundraiser and national political commentator Andrea McWilliams is a skilled strategist, combining grace with grit and patience with persuasion. Known for her meticulous attention to detail, McWilliams brings her unique expertise to every issue she engages drawing on her time in both the private and public sector. The national media, including FOX News, the Wall Street Journal, Newsweek, USA Today, CNN, BBC, and NPR have all reported on McWilliams' role as a leading fundraiser and political strategist. Named Texas Businesswoman of the Year by the Women's Chamber of Commerce of Texas, she was recognized as "consigliere to the powerful and political." McWilliams was the only lobbyist profiled together with the Governor, Lieutenant Governor and Speaker of the House in Texas Monthly's "POWER" feature highlighting the most powerful people at the Texas Capitol.

McWilliams is also a proud recipient of both the Austin Business Journal's "Profiles in Power" and the Girl Scouts' "Woman of Distinction" Award. She has received the "Austin Under 40" Award, and the Austin American-Statesman honored her as a member of its Glossy 8 list. Last year, McWilliams received Austin Fashion Week's "Style Setter" Award, recognizing her work and dedication on behalf of local nonprofit organizations.

A Chief of Staff at the Texas Capitol at just 21, McWilliams went on to hone her private sector grassroots skills at the iconic public relations company Public Strategies, Inc. Today, she is the President of McWilliams Governmental Affairs (MGA), a full-service firm of governmental affairs consultants, respected and trusted at the local, state and national level.

Family and Community:

Raised just steps from the Texas Capitol on Congress Avenue, McWilliams now resides in Old Enfield, raising three children in a historic home.

She is a well-known philanthropist, community volunteer and proud native of Austin, named on many occasions to the "All-Stars" of Austin American Statesman Fortunate 500 list. McWilliams is honored to serve on the Board of St. David's Medical Center, one of the largest health systems in Texas and the third-largest private employer in the Austin area. Last year, McWilliams was also appointed to the Board of the Save Historic Muny District whose charge is to preserve 141-acres of green space in Central Austin that includes Lions Municipal Golf Course ("Muny"), widely recognized as the first public golf course in the South to become integrated and listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Additionally, she enjoys her time on the Pease Park Capital Campaign Committee whose efforts will transform this important landmark for future generations in her hometown.

McWilliams currently serves on the PAC Board of RYAN, an award-winning global tax services firm based in Dallas. And, she has also served as a board member for many other non-profit organizations, including Texas Lyceum, Mexi-Arte Museum, Arthouse, Rise Across Texas Challenge, HeartGift, Austin Children in Crisis, Pioneer Farms and the Waterloo President's Council. She is an inaugural member of the Long Center's Notable Women and a long-time member of the St. David's Hospital Toast of the Town Committee. True to her roots, McWilliams is a proud past President of Inherit Austin, an organization founded to preserve Austin's architectural and cultural past by not only protecting the city's important landmarks and historical fabric, but safeguarding its unique character as well.

McWilliams has represented the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation and KillCancer, two nonprofit groups committed to cancer prevention. She was also honorary chair for the Mamma Jamma Ride, which since its inaugural ride, has raised millions of dollars for non-profits serving thousands of Central Texans coping with breast cancer. In recognition, the Seton Breast Cancer Center in Austin named their screening room after McWilliams. In 2018, McWilliams additionally served as the honorary chair of the Celebration of Life, the most significant fundraising event for breast cancer in Austin, Texas.

In partnership with the Austin Business Journal, McWilliams enjoys volunteering as a business mentor to other young women in Central Texas. Aside from her continued board service with Preservation Austin, Ballet Austin and the Pease Park Conservancy, she also served as a member of the Girl Scouts Centennial Celebration Committee and chaired Austin's largest charity event, the Ballet Fete, benefiting Ballet Austin. McWilliams additionally co-chaired the Marathon Kids gala and was a chair of the University of Texas Blanton Museum of Art Gala. In support of the Center for Child Protection, McWilliams was a celebrity dancer for Austin's inaugural "Dancing With The Stars" fundraising event. She is a proud past member of the Texas Emerald Ball Committee, whose endeavors support the American Ireland Fund.

During the 86th Legislative Session, McWilliams also served on the Governor For A Day Committee.

6-10 years

RWL is the go-to firm when businesses and individuals have a complex legal problem, with a team of attorneys that thrive on pursuing the most challenging cases on behalf of its clients. Our attorneys have represented scores of clients, including: major-league sports franchises; name-brand companies such as Google, Uber, Facebook and FedEx; whistleblowers in false claims cases; and millions of consumers in national class action suits.

With offices located in Baltimore, the state capital of Annapolis and the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area, Rifkin Weiner Livingston LLC (RWL) provides an important link to Maryland's principal business, commercial and government centers.

Matthew has been an advocate for over five years as a registered lobbyist in Maryland at RWL Law and has represented a variety of clients, including trade associations, businesses, non-profits and other entities on tax issues, business regulatory matters, capital budget requests and a variety of other matters. Additional experience includes managing numerous Maryland State and Local political campaigns including time at the Maryland Senate and House Democratic Caucuses and serving as a Senate staffer for the Maryland Senate Majority Leader for several years.

6-10 years

RWL is the go-to firm when businesses and individuals have a complex legal problem, with a team of attorneys that thrive on pursuing the most challenging cases on behalf of its clients. Our attorneys have represented scores of clients, including: major-league sports franchises; name-brand companies such as Google, Uber, Facebook and FedEx; whistleblowers in false claims cases; and millions of consumers in national class action suits.

With offices located in Baltimore, the state capital of Annapolis and the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area, Rifkin Weiner Livingston LLC (RWL) provides an important link to Maryland's principal business, commercial and government centers.

John C. "JR" Reith is the Chief Operating Officer at Rifkin Weiner Livingston LLC. He also a Registered Lobbyist in the firm's extensive Government Relations and Lobbying practice. He served as Finance Director for all three of former Governor Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr.'s gubernatorial campaigns and was co-chairman of his campaign committees. Mr. Reith served on the Inaugural Committee for Governor Larry Hogan, and has been active in the National Republican Party since 1996. In 2016, Mr. Reith served as the co-chairman for the Inaugural Committee for Baltimore Mayor Catherine Pugh. He currently sits on the board of directors for The Canton Group, ThinkBig Networks, and on the alumni board for the Boys' Latin School of Maryland. Previously, Mr. Reith served as an advisor for Compass Marketing, Inc. and as an advisor for Brown Advisory in Baltimore. He is also a former board member of the Star-Spangled Banner Flag House and the GBMC Philanthropy Committee board of directors.

Regularly engaged in the highest-level budget and policy negotiations from within the innermost circles of Massachusetts state government

Worked closely with then-Chairman DeLeo to pass four state budgets, multiple bond bills and major pieces of legislation including health care reform and clean energy initiatives.

Responsible for shaping the House legislative agenda, overseeing its execution and strategically advising the Speaker through high-stakes negotiations

Works closely with all parties including the Senate President and Governor, majority and minority legislative leadership, chairs and cabinet officials.

Policy Advisor at Preti Strategies

Chief of Staff and Chief Policy Advisor to Speaker of the Massachusetts House of Representatives.

Chief of Staff and Press Secretary to House Committee on Ways and Means

Chief of Staff and Press Secretary to House Committee on Bills in the Third Reading

Education:

Suffolk Law School
Hamilton College
Belmont Hill
The Fessenden School

20+ years

Former staff counsel to Maryland Senate Budget and Taxation Committee handling matters related to state & local taxes, retirement, and agency budgets

Experienced lobbyist on health care delivery systems, health insurance, and health occupations, including managed care, hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, dental plans, and pharmaceuticals

Team leader on multi-firm effort to preserve the Preakness Stakes in Maryland and to enact a statutory framework for a nearly $400 million capital redevelopment effort for Maryland's racetracks

Counsel for automotive industries including new automobile dealers and rental car agencies

Lead lobbyist on legislation to authorize transportation network companies

Experienced gaming lobbyist representing lottery, casino, racetrack, and sports wagering interests

Procurement counsel assisting entities on RFPs, bids and other offers of goods, services, and construction to state & local governments

Counsels clients on state and local ethics laws, gift laws, campaign contribution compliance, election laws, and lobbying rules

Fiscal Analyst, Department of Fiscal Services (1988)
Committee Staff, Maryland Senate Budget & Taxation Committee (1989 - 1990)

Michael V. Johansen is the Administrative Partner at Rifkin Weiner Livingston LLC and the Chair of the firm's Administrative Law and Regulatory Compliance practice. Mike has nearly 30 years of experience in lobbying and legal matters before the General Assembly, executive agencies, and local/municipal governments in the state of Maryland. As a registered lobbyist, he has represented clients in the areas of healthcare, healthcare financing, health reform, health certificate of need (CON), casino gaming, lottery, horse racing, transportation, motor vehicles, rental cars, insurance, state and local taxes, franchises, business regulation, IT - information technology, environmental regulation, procurement, state contracting, bid protests, and acquisition of public funds for private programs and projects. Mike also advises clients on state and local ethics laws, gift laws, campaign contribution compliance, election laws and lobbying rules.

Prior to joining the firm, Mike was legislative staff to the Maryland General Assembly, the Senate Budget & Taxation Committee, and the Department of Fiscal Services. He is a member of the board of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation - Maryland Chapter and a board member of the Indian Creek School.