Mark Ruge is a lawyer in the Public Policy and Law practice group at the global law firm K&L Gates, one of the largest policy groups in the United States. He focuses his practice on the federal government, representing clients on policy matters before Congress, administrative issues before the federal agencies/departments, and, occasionally, regulatory disputes in the federal courts. He is involved in a broad range of maritime issues and issues related to the Great Lakes states. Most recently, he was named "2018 Great Lakes Marine Man of the Year" and inducted into the Great Lakes Hall of Fame, the first attorney ever chosen.

A veteran of more than a decade as a staffer on Capitol Hill, Mr. Ruge serves as counsel to the American Maritime Partnership, the largest coalition in the history of the U.S. maritime industry, and represents numerous other transportation clients on federal policy issues. In addition, he represents and has represented a broad range of other companies, associations and other entities on federal legislative tax, healthcare, commerce, appropriations and other issues. He is counsel to several major business organizations throughout the Midwest.

Mr. Ruge also counsels clients on issues before the federal agencies and departments. He has successfully helped litigate cases under the Administrative Procedure Act, which mandates rational decision-making by federal agencies. Mr. Ruge has participated successfully in numerous agency administrative appeals and rulemakings.

Before joining the firm, he worked on Congressional staffs, including positions as chief of staff to Rep. Bob Davis (R-MI) and as deputy staff director (minority) of the House Merchant Marine and Fisheries Committee, where he specialized in Michigan and Great Lakes issues. Mr. Ruge is a graduate of Georgetown University Law Center and Northern Michigan University. In 2008, Mr. Ruge received an Executive Certificate in Leadership and Management from the University of Notre Dame's Mendoza College of Business.

He served as the Parish Council president at St. Luke Catholic Church in McLean (VA) for nearly 20 years; chairman of the Board of Directors of the Father McKenna Center; co-chairman and founder of the Food From the Bar legal community food drive that has raised more than 3 million meals for the Capital Area Food Bank; the national board chairman for the Ignatian Volunteer Corps; and as the Fathers' Club president at Gonzaga College High School. He received the St. Aloysius Medal from Gonzaga in 2015.

Mr. Ruge is a part owner of the Green Bay Packers.

20+ years

Tim provided a long sought-after voice to retirees in the Retired Detroit Police & Fire Fighters Association. He and his team successfully fought unions, the City of Detroit, and the pension board's opposition to amend decades-old state law. The association spent 25 years trying to obtain representation on its pension board through litigation and city charter amendment to no avail. Tim and his team did it in a fraction of the time.

Prior to becoming president of MLC, Tim was appointed as Governor John Engler's Campaign Manager to manage his 1998 re-election campaign, after having worked in the Governor's office as Director of External Affairs and Deputy Director of Public Affairs. Former positions also included stints in the Michigan House and Senate, Oakland County government and Senior Director of Government Affairs of the Michigan Credit Union League.

Mr. Aliferis is a government affairs advisor in the firm's Washington, D.C., office. He focuses on federal funding issues as well as policy matters involving energy, transportation, the environment and telecommunications.

Prior to joining K&L Gates, Mr. Aliferis served as director of government affairs for the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, where he analyzed and monitored energy, environmental, and tax issues affecting the automobile industry. In this capacity, he was directly responsible for developing strategic options, legislative proposals, and media correspondence. Mr. Aliferis drafted congressional testimony for both the House and Senate committees, and served in an advisory role to member companies on relevant legislation. He also acted as a liaison with congressional offices to explain and advance industry positions, and coordinated activities with the House and Senate Auto Caucus.

Mr. Aliferis has an extensive legislative background, serving for nine years under Congressman Fred Upton, former Chairman of the House Energy and Commerce committee. As the legislative director and principal policy advisor in the office, Mr. Aliferis was responsible for the development and oversight of Congressman Upton's legislative agenda in the House of Representatives. He handled telecommunications and media issues under consideration by the House Energy and Commerce committee including the 1992 Cable Act and the 1996 Telecommunications Act. He drafted legislation and amendments on environmental, transportation and budget issues, and coordinated message development with the congressman's chief of staff and district director. Mr. Aliferis also organized outreach efforts to business and community groups.

Mr. Aliferis also served as a congressional intern to Congressman Robert Davis and an assistant to the director of public affairs for the Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce.