John is a former state representative having served 13 years from Stratford's 120th district. Past leadership appointments include Deputy Minority Leader at large, Caucus Chairman, Assistant Minority Leader, and Ranking Member for the Transportation Committee, Select Committee on Aging, and Veterans Affairs Committee. John also served as the mayor of Stratford for two consecutive four-year terms since 2009. Mayor Harkins led Stratford with a steady hand. By focusing on economic development, the town has grown significantly. With over 23 years of elected service and over 30 years as a small business owner John has been a strong advocate for his constituents. As a lobbyist he is now focused on client advocacy and business development on both the state and local level.

Mr. Finseth is the owner and CEO of Carrara Nevada, a medium sized government affairs firm established in the 1990's. The firm works with national and international Fortune 500 firms, along with national and state trade associations and local government clients. Our expertise lies in general business issue, gaming, real estate, health care, environmental and local government fields.

The competitive nature of government and public advocacy requires a team with the experience, insight and knowledge to provide results. The Floridian Partners team is composed of individuals from different backgrounds and practice areas, resulting in a dynamic group of advocacy professionals. As a firm, we strive to exceed our clients' expectations with the understanding that our success is based solely upon the success of our clients. We not only represent our clients before the public sector; we also assist our clients in developing business-to-business opportunities.

Our first step in pursuing any client goal is to develop a strategic plan. In the world of advocacy, success is the result of sound strategy, access to decision makers, effective communication and strong execution. In creating and executing a strategy for each of our clients, we bring to bear decades of strategic advocacy experience on major client initiatives in projects spanning from the entitlement of Jungle Island in Miami-Dade County - to the largest privatization of services in the history of the State of Florida - to playing a major role in developing telecommunications and insurance law each year in the State Capitol. In addition to the know-how developed over this time, we also bring to bear the collective scope and depth of relationships developed along the way.

As a result, Floridian Partners operates at all levels of government and is never more than two degrees away from accessing a key decision maker on any given client matter, whether that client needs to impact proposed state legislation, a local or state agency regulation, local government ordinance, the state budget, or a local or State RFP opportunity.

Firm Specialties:
With offices in Tallahassee and Miami, our core services include government affairs, issues management & communications, and business consulting & development. We service clients across all major industries, have influence at all levels of Florida government, and can manage national issues through our multi- state advocacy network.

Rome Smith & Lutz is a team of seasoned professionals with over a 100 years of combined experience in Connecticut state & local government, political campaigns, private industry, and public service. We are comprised of former legislators on both sides of the political aisle, former senior staffers to a CT Governor and Lieutenant Governor, and former municipal office holders. Our team boasts deep relationships with key decision makers throughout state and local governments. The reputations we maintain and the trust we have earned across the state is our value; our results-oriented approach, strategic thinking, and tireless work is our means; and our proven track record of producing results for our clients is our end. Please don't hesitate to reach out to see how Rome Smith & Lutz can help you realize your objectives.

Rome Smith & Lutz is a team of seasoned professionals with over a 100 years of combined experience in Connecticut state & local government, political campaigns, private industry, and public service. We are comprised of former legislators on both sides of the political aisle, former senior staffers to a CT Governor and Lieutenant Governor, and former municipal office holders. Our team boasts deep relationships with key decision makers throughout state and local governments. The reputations we maintain and the trust we have earned across the state is our value; our results-oriented approach, strategic thinking, and tireless work is our means; and our proven track record of producing results for our clients is our end. Please don't hesitate to reach out to see how Rome Smith & Lutz can help you realize your objectives.

Rome Smith & Lutz is a team of seasoned professionals with over a 100 years of combined experience in Connecticut state & local government, political campaigns, private industry, and public service. We are comprised of former legislators on both sides of the political aisle, former senior staffers to a CT Governor and Lieutenant Governor, and former municipal office holders. Our team boasts deep relationships with key decision makers throughout state and local governments. The reputations we maintain and the trust we have earned across the state is our value; our results-oriented approach, strategic thinking, and tireless work is our means; and our proven track record of producing results for our clients is our end. Please don't hesitate to reach out to see how Rome Smith & Lutz can help you realize your objectives.

Rome Smith & Lutz is a team of seasoned professionals with over a 100 years of combined experience in Connecticut state & local government, political campaigns, private industry, and public service. We are comprised of former legislators on both sides of the political aisle, former senior staffers to a CT Governor and Lieutenant Governor, and former municipal office holders. Our team boasts deep relationships with key decision makers throughout state and local governments. The reputations we maintain and the trust we have earned across the state is our value; our results-oriented approach, strategic thinking, and tireless work is our means; and our proven track record of producing results for our clients is our end. Please don't hesitate to reach out to see how Rome Smith & Lutz can help you realize your objectives.

Clarkston Nelson Government Solutions is a full-service governmental relations and advocacy firm located in Jefferson City, Missouri. Although recently founded, our team shares a longstanding, respected reputation in the Missouri State Capitol. Our uniquely qualified professionals have decades of combined experience working in the Missouri state legislature, Executive Branch and state agencies.

The world of politics has changed over the years making it essential for businesses to have an effective and efficient working relationship with policy makers. Our team holds extensive policy knowledge, strong communication and relationship-building skills and precise legislative strategies resulting in successful governmental advocacy for our clients.

At Clarkston Nelson, we believe our teamwork approach based on years of experience, hard work and dedication to our client's interests provide a strong route to client advocacy and effective results bridging the gap between business and government.

FIRM SPECIALTY
DIRECT LOBBYING
In a world of constant change due to term-limits, ever changing political winds and executive branch turnover, we at Clarkston Nelson adapt and thrive due to our extensive experience and hard work. We work extremely hard to successfully help our clients reach their advocacy goals through our professionalism and unique understanding of the legislative and executive process. We provide direct lobbying efforts to shape legislation and regulations from the beginning to implementation. Our firm is capable of providing all services necessary such as legislation and issue monitoring, public engagement counseling, public testimony, and coalition building.

STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS
We believe that public opinion shapes much of the debate and decisions at the government level. Clarkston Nelson have a long history of working with clients in the preparation and development of messaging to assist in their advocacy efforts before the legislature, regulators or any other decision-making body. Our strategic communications will be aimed at reaching our client's underlying goal and often can be conveyed to the media and public to potentially sway opinion to our favor. Often times, strategic communications are aided with coalition building efforts to expand our sphere of influence and find additional partners that share with our goals and preferred outcomes.

RELATIONSHIP BUILDING
Our firm recognizes the vast importance of relationship building throughout the political, regulatory, and industry sectors. We believe healthy relationships are built on honest communication and respect. We work diligently with legislators and department contacts to know our clients and understand why their issues matter. Clarkston Nelson strive to maintain professional and positive relations with state elected officials and decision-makers and can utilize our relationships to assist clients with ensuring their issues are properly understood and considered when needed.

Clarkston Nelson Government Solutions is a full-service governmental relations and advocacy firm located in Jefferson City, Missouri. Although recently founded, our team shares a longstanding, respected reputation in the Missouri State Capitol. Our uniquely qualified professionals have decades of combined experience working in the Missouri state legislature, Executive Branch and state agencies.

The world of politics has changed over the years making it essential for businesses to have an effective and efficient working relationship with policy makers. Our team holds extensive policy knowledge, strong communication and relationship-building skills and precise legislative strategies resulting in successful governmental advocacy for our clients.

At Clarkston Nelson, we believe our teamwork approach based on years of experience, hard work and dedication to our client's interests provide a strong route to client advocacy and effective results bridging the gap between business and government.

FIRM SPECIALTY
DIRECT LOBBYING
In a world of constant change due to term-limits, ever changing political winds and executive branch turnover, we at Clarkston Nelson adapt and thrive due to our extensive experience and hard work. We work extremely hard to successfully help our clients reach their advocacy goals through our professionalism and unique understanding of the legislative and executive process. We provide direct lobbying efforts to shape legislation and regulations from the beginning to implementation. Our firm is capable of providing all services necessary such as legislation and issue monitoring, public engagement counseling, public testimony, and coalition building.

STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS
We believe that public opinion shapes much of the debate and decisions at the government level. Clarkston Nelson have a long history of working with clients in the preparation and development of messaging to assist in their advocacy efforts before the legislature, regulators or any other decision-making body. Our strategic communications will be aimed at reaching our client's underlying goal and often can be conveyed to the media and public to potentially sway opinion to our favor. Often times, strategic communications are aided with coalition building efforts to expand our sphere of influence and find additional partners that share with our goals and preferred outcomes.

RELATIONSHIP BUILDING
Our firm recognizes the vast importance of relationship building throughout the political, regulatory, and industry sectors. We believe healthy relationships are built on honest communication and respect. We work diligently with legislators and department contacts to know our clients and understand why their issues matter. Clarkston Nelson strive to maintain professional and positive relations with state elected officials and decision-makers and can utilize our relationships to assist clients with ensuring their issues are properly understood and considered when needed.