Kevin B. Spinella, a 10-year veteran of Connecticut politics, joined Gaffney, Bennett & Associates' team of eight lobbyists/lawyers on February 3, 2020.

Kevin began his career as a legislative aide and committee clerk for the House Democrats from 2010-14, overseeing all facets of the committee process and supervising five clerks. He also served as a campaign coordinator for the House Democratic caucus during the 2010-18 election cycles, and was responsible for helping develop strategies, prepare for debates and coordinate events with Congressional and US. Senate campaigns.

As senior policy analyst to former CT House Speaker Brendan Sharkey and current Speaker Joe Aresimowicz, for the past six years, Kevin has performed research, helped analyze policies and programs, and drafted and finalized legislation for the leaders and the caucus. He has also negotiated with and served as a liaison between legislators from both political parties the executive branch, lobbyists and advocates on priority issues.

Kevin's experience covering an array of legislative committees and issues on behalf of the House Democratic caucus and leadership has helped him develop a strong understanding of the legislative process and the critical importance of building and managing relationships.

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.

CHARLENE RIDEOUT provides government relations and lobbying services to clients of Kearney Donovan & McGee, P.C. Formerly, Ms. Rideout served as Intergovernmental Affairs Manager for the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA). In that capacity, she was responsible for implementing legislative and regulatory strategies as well as promoting and advocating MWRA's legislative agenda. Prior to working at MWRA, Ms. Rideout was legislative director for the Massachusetts State Senate Assistant Majority Leader and Senate Chair of the Banks and Banking Committee.

MICHELLE MCGEE focuses her practice on government affairs representation before government bodies at the local, state and federal levels. She has extensive experience representing clients' interests before both the Massachusetts and Connecticut legislative and executive branches of government. Formerly, Michelle worked at New England Electric System (now National Grid) where she developed and implemented comprehensive legislative and external strategies to achieve New England Electric's public policy initiatives in both Massachusetts and Connecticut. Prior to establishing Kearney, Donovan & McGee, LLC, Ms. McGee was a member of the government affairs practice group at Choate, Hall & Stewart.

20+ years

John A. Powell is a native Oregonian who graduated from Junction City High School and went on to earn both a B.S. and M.S. at the University of Oregon. Following college, John began his career as a high school educator and coach. In 1975, John ran for and was elected to the Oregon State Senate at the age of twenty-five (still the youngest person ever to serve in the Oregon State Senate). John served two four-year terms in the Senate (1975-1982) before voluntarily leaving office. While serving as a citizen legislator, John founded the Powell & Greig Insurance Agency and worked as an insurance agent for several years. In 1984, John founded John Powell & Associates, Inc.

PAUL DONOVAN's practice is focused in the area of government relations, including representation before government bodies at the local, state and federal levels. He has extensive experience representing clients before the Massachusetts General Court, where he has been successful helping clients meet their governmental objectives.

Paul worked for 10 years at the Suffolk County Sheriff's Department, earning a seat on the Sheriff's Department management team. In addition, Paul provided counsel to the Massachusetts Sheriffs' Association on various legislative issues. Paul has been involved in numerous political campaigns, including a 1993 Boston mayoral campaign, in which he was responsible for directing a field operation of more than 2,500 people. Prior to establishing Kearney, Donovan, and McGee, LLC, Mr. Donovan was a member of the government practice group of Choate, Hall & Stewart.

ANTHONY PETRUCCELLI came to Kearney, Donovan & McGee LLC with extensive experience at the municipal and state levels of government in Massachusetts. First elected to the Massachusetts House of Representatives in 1999 and then the Massachusetts Senate in 2007, Anthony is well-versed in legislative issues and is able to use his unique perspective to successfully advocate for his clients' interests.

20+ years

"North Carolina's Top Lobbyists" - North State Journal (2020)
Best Lawyers Government Relations Practice (2009-2022)
Business North Carolina Legal Elite
Triangle Business Journal "40 Under 40 Leadership Award (2012)

11-15 years

JD, Willamette University School of Law, Salem, OR (Oregon State Bar # 094769)
MBA, Atkinson Graduate School of Management, Willamette University, Salem, OR
BA, Political Science, Westmont College, Santa Barbara, CA

John C. Powell and wife Abby Powell live in Lake Oswego, OR with their three children

15-20 years

6-10 years

Callie Michael joined The Southern Group in 2010 with over eight years of valuable experience in both the budget and policy areas for state and federal government. Callie maintained a top-secret security clearance from the United States Department of Defense and worked in the U.S. House of Representatives' Appropriations Committee on the Defense Subcommittee. In this capacity, Callie gained rare insight into the federal appropriations and committee process as well as the role and interplay of government relations in the legislative arena.Following Callie's work in Washington, DC, which provided valuable experience and contacts at the federal level, Callie returned to the South where she joined the Georgia Senate Budget and Evaluation Office as the Program Analyst for the Criminal Justice, Public Safety, and Judicial Subcommittees on Appropriations. Callie was soon promoted to the position of Principal Analyst, to assume the duties and responsibilities of the departing Deputy Director. As Principal Analyst, Callie oversaw the day-to-day operations of the office and the budget development process, briefed the director and Senators on budget and policy issues, supervised and assisted other budget staff members, and served as the main contact to the 56 Senators.Callie served as Senate President Pro Tem Tommie Williams' Policy Director during the 2010 legislative session. In this capacity, Callie provided key policy analysis and recommendations to Senate Leadership.Callie is a graduate of the University of Alabama.

DENNIS J. KEARNEY concentrates his practice in government. He provides legal, legislative and strategic services to clients affected by local, state or federal government policy, legislation or regulation. Dennis formerly served in local, state and county government including 12 years in elected office as a member of the Massachusetts Legislature and as Sheriff of Suffolk County. Prior to forming Kearney, Donovan & McGee, LLC in 2003, Mr. Kearney managed the government practice group at Choate, Hall & Stewart, and served as President of Kearney & Gleason, P.C.

David Pratt began his career in politics in 1998 as Legislative Aide to Representative Ben Harbin, Chairman Emeritus of House Appropriations. After serving as Legislative Aide, David was hired as a lobbyist for the Georgia Society of Ophthalmology (GSO) and was named the GSO's Deputy Director before the end of his first year. In 2002, David became a contract lobbyist and has since then successfully lobbied on behalf of corporations in the areas of pharmaceutical manufacturing, medical devices, physician advocacy, information technology, private prisons, mental health facilities, construction, transportation, telecommunications, and real estate development. David enjoys very strong relationships at the Capitol across the ideological spectrum.

David served in the enlisted ranks of the United States Army from 1991 to 1993. After receiving a commission in 1996, David served as an Army Reserve officer until honorably discharged in May of 2003. David graduated Valedictorian at Marion Military Institute (1993-1996) after which he transferred to the University of Georgia majoring in Political Science (1996-1998).

Civically, David is a member of the following organizations: the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, High Museum of Art in Atlanta, Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, and University of Georgia Rugby Alumni Association.

David is from Saint Marys, GA, and resides with his wife, Jessica, in Atlanta.