Jon Smalley has worked at MHSA since 1991, became a partner in the firm in 1995, and a co-owner of MHSA in 2001. Jon has spent his entire career working in "the process," specializing in appropriations, procurement and legislative matters.
Jon began his career working on political campaigns, worked for the Senate Majority Leader (1984); served as Chief of Staff to the Senate Chair of the Appropriations Subcommittees overseeing Medicaid, Mental Health and Human Services (1985-1990).
With expertise in the annual appropriations process, Jon has been instrumental in the successful implementation of many significant policy reforms, initiatives, and numerous landmark pieces of legislation, including: the implementation of managed care in Michigan; the re-write of the Mental Health Code; the Juvenile Justice Block Grant; establishment of charter schools; repeal of the residency requirements for police officers and firefighters; and Business Tax Reform. In addition, he was actively involved in two significant construction projects funded in part through state resources: Comerica Park and the Northwest Airlines World Gateway Center (Midfield Terminal).
Jon's many areas of expertise include: the full continuum of health care policy and funding (physical, long term care and behavioral); regulatory issues; education reform; employment issues; child welfare reform; local government issues; Information Technology solutions; tribal issues; gaming issues and procurement.
Jon is consistently ranked as a ‘Top Ten' lobbyist by Inside Michigan Politics, a trusted publication of political and policy issues in Michigan. This honor is voted on bi-annually by key members of the Governor's staff and policy makers within State departments and the Legislature.
Jon holds a bachelor's degree in Political Science and Public Administration from Central Michigan University. He has served as a board member at the Greater Lansing Amateur Hockey Association (GLAHA) and as a coach in youth hockey and baseball programs for over ten years. He is active and supportive of many local charities, including St. Vincent De Paul Home, Ele's Place, St. Mary's Hospice, the American Heart Association, the YMCA, Boy Scouts of America, the Boys and Girls Club of Lansing and Food shelters in Lansing and Detroit. Jon and his family are also active in their local parish.
A Lansing area native, Jon and his wife Cathy reside with their seven children in Williamston.
Pat Harrington, President, co-founder and partner in MHSA, has led Michigan's "Number 1" multi-client lobbying organization for the past several years.. Pat's values-based leadership, creative problem solving skills and strategic counsel has earned him a Top 10 ranking as an individual lobbyist and has contributed to many significant policy and economic development successes in recent Michigan history. As a lobbyist, Pat was instrumental in the planning, development and passage of five historic pieces of legislation: the financing of the $400 million Cobo Hall Exhibition Center expansion project in Detroit; the $225 million Wayne County Solvency Act, which averted the bankruptcy of Michigan's most populous county and established the state's largest indigent healthcare program; creation of the Wayne County Stadium Act, which established a financing vehicle for the Detroit Tigers' Comerica Park professional sports facility; the enactment of the comprehensive water withdrawal statute for Michigan; and recently secured state-approval of the largest public and private partnership for a 45 block redevelopment in Detroit, including a world class event center, hosting the Detroit Red Wings, and mixed use development, valued at $650 million.
Pat also quarterbacked MHSA's strategic partnership with Nestle Waters North America Holdings Inc. to site a $150 million Ice Mountain spring water bottling facility in West Central Michigan. In addition, Pat helped negotiate a creative incentive package on behalf of a large international IT company with the State of Michigan. This brought about a unique global software development center to the campus of Michigan State University, creating nearly 500 jobs to date. Further, Pat recently negotiated an economic development deal with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation to allow for a $100 million expansion, creating 1,000 new jobs for a mid-Michigan based financial services client.
Pat holds a bachelor's degree with high honors from Michigan State University and a law degree from Western Michigan University's Cooley Law School. He has been a licensed attorney in Michigan since 1983, and is a member of the State Bar of Michigan. At age 24, Pat was one of the youngest persons to be elected to the Michigan Legislature, representing with distinction, Monroe County's 39th district. Pat was a successful lobbyist for ten years prior to forming MHSA. Pat is a member of the Michigan Fraternal Order of Police and the Michigan Society of Association Executives. He is also a longtime member of the Advisory Board and Finance Committee of the Michigan Political Leadership Program, the largest multi-partisan leadership-training program in the nation.
Pat and his wife Cindy have two grown sons, two daughter-in-laws and two grandsons, and reside in Okemos.
