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I began my career in Delaware politics managing the successful mayoral campaign of James Baker in Wilmington and went on to serve as a senior advisor, helping lead multiple re-election efforts. I've also worked at the state and national level, including leading the Delaware Democratic Party's Coordinated Campaign and serving as a National Committeeman. In 2005, I founded Ruggerio Willson Watson, which has grown into one of Delaware's top government relations firms. Today, I also serve as Interim Head of Government Relations at the University of Delaware and teach lobbying and influence at the Biden School of Public Policy. Throughout my career, I've focused on building strong relationships and delivering strategic advocacy that drives results.

20+ years

Named one of the "Top 20 Most Influential in Politics and Business" by the Wilmington News Journal and DelawareOnline.com for four consecutive years (2021-2024).

In 2022, the RWW team was named some of the most influential Delawareans in politics by the Delaware News Journal.

In 2025, I chaired the inaugural festivities for Governor Matt Meyer.

I currently serve as Interim Head of Government Relations at the University of Delaware, sit on the boards of the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce and UD's Department of Political Science, and teach Lobbying and Influence at University of Delaware's Joseph R. Biden School of Public Policy.

On Attorney General Kathy Jennings Finance Committee On Congresswoman McBride's Finance Committee

Led the Delaware Democratic Party's Coordinated Campaign, including the late Beau Biden's election as Attorney General, and served as a National Committeeman and super delegate to the Democratic National Convention.

Rhett Ruggerio launched his political career in Wilmington, Delaware, managing the successful 2000 mayoral campaign of James M. Baker. He went on to serve as a top advisor to the Mayor, chairing two re-election campaigns and helping secure three terms in office. Rhett also led the Delaware Democratic Party's Coordinated Campaign, including the late Beau Biden's election as Attorney General, and served as a National Committeeman and super delegate to the Democratic National Convention.

In 2025, he chaired the inaugural festivities for Governor Matt Meyer.

Rhett founded Ruggerio Willson & Associates in 2005 (now Ruggerio Willson Watson), a top-ranked firm in Delaware. He's been named one of the "Top 20 Most Influential in Politics and Business" by the Wilmington News Journal and DelawareOnline.com for four consecutive years (2021-2024).

Currently, Rhett serves as Interim Head of Government Relations at the University of Delaware, sits on the boards of the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce and UD's Department of Political Science, and teaches Lobbying and Influence at University of Delaware's Joseph R. Biden School of Public Policy.

Outside of work, Rhett enjoys time at the Delaware beaches, walking his pups Ted and Dixie - or chauffeuring his wife and daughters on a shopping run.

I'm a government relations professional with deep experience in Delaware's legislative and political landscape. I began my career with the Delaware General Assembly, where I developed a strong understanding of the legislative process, and later joined Ruggerio Willson Watson. In my current role, I help clients develop and execute strategic advocacy efforts that drive policy change, secure funding, and build meaningful relationships with state leaders. My work spans key issue areas including education, energy, and healthcare. Recognized as one of the state's most active lobbyists and part of a team named among Delaware's most influential political voices, I bring both policy expertise and strong stakeholder relationships to all of my work.

11-15 years

Deemed by the Delaware State News as the most active lobbyist based on the number of bills registered

In 2022, Verity and the RWW team were named some of the most influential Delawareans in politics by the Delaware News Journal.

Listed as a member of 40 under 40 in 2023

Served as President and Grants Chair of the Next Generation-South, a local organization that supports nonprofits in Kent and Sussex counties and Secretary of Spur Impact, the nonprofit that puts on the annual Mill Summit.

Served on the school board for First State Military Academy, a public charter school in Kent County. On Lt. Governors Gay's Finance Committee

Staffed a bi-partisain legislative joint committee

Verity Watson joined Ruggerio Willson Watson in 2016 after working for the Delaware General Assembly where she gained an intimate understanding of the legislative process, policy analysis experience, and built strong working relationships with elected officials and state agency leaders. In her current role, Verity guides clients in the creation and execution of strategic government relations plans that result in policy changes, monetary investments, and relationship building with elected officials and government leaders. She works in policy areas ranging from education to energy to health.

During the 2018 legislative session, Verity was deemed by the Delaware State News as the most active lobbyist based on the number of bills registered. In 2022, Verity and the RWA team were named some of the most influential Delawareans in politics by the Delaware News Journal. She was recognized by the Delaware Association of Chiefs of Police for her advocacy.

Verity has served as President and Grants Chair of the Next Generation-South, a local organization that supports nonprofits in Kent and Sussex counties and Secretary of Spur Impact, the nonprofit that puts on the annual Mill Summit. She also served on the school board for First State Military Academy, a public charter school in Kent County. Verity spends much of her free time at the Cape Henlopen and Seashore State Park beaches with her husband and young daughter and son.

The Gaston Group is a well-respected, Virginia-based government relations and public affairs firm offering nearly two decades of experience in public policy, legislative affairs, grassroots and grasstops organizing, and media relations. Our practical approach to politics focuses on both sides of the political aisle, at all levels of government. In today's world, business strategy, politics, public policy, communications and public perception must intersect successfully and effectively. With a reputation for high ethical standards and a commitment to honesty, The Gaston Group is a trusted name that means success for our clients.We understand both the opportunities and challenges in communicating with government officials and agencies, and can assist clients in integrating effective government relations with their larger business objectives. In order to help clients reach those objectives, we are committed to providing year-round, individualized attention -- clearly, our clients come first.We represent professional trade associations, corporations, and non-profit organizations covering a variety of issues in the areas of housing, real estate and development, land use and zoning, landlord-tenant, renewable and alternative energy, telecommunications and technology, the arts, seafood production and processing, finance and economic development before the United States Congress, federal regulatory agencies, the General Assembly of Virginia, state regulatory agencies, local government and local governmental agencies.We are located in Williamsburg, Virginia, in the heart of Virginia's original capital and part of the metropolitan region known as Hampton Roads' one of the largest metropolitan areas in the country with a population of nearly two million people.

20+ years

Susan S. Gaston, Founder and President of the Gaston Group, is a government relations and public affairs consultant. Susan has been involved in the political and legislative fields for most of her life, having watched her father lobby for the oil and gas industries at the state and federal levels. With over 20 years of governmental affairs and lobbying experience in the United States Congress, the General Assembly of Virginia, federal and state regulatory agencies, and local government bodies, she has created strong relationships and contacts with elected and appointed officials on both sides of the political aisle.

Susan works with her clients to develop successful legislative strategies that include direct lobbying, public policy advocacy and message development, public testimony, media relations and coalition building. She is experienced in running effective, successful grassroots and grasstops campaigns that focus on community influence and earned media. Her clients include multiple professional trade associations, Fortune 200 and 500 companies, and other business interests that span the fields of housing, real estate and development, land use and zoning, commercial fishing and seafood production, thoroughbred racing, technology, telecommunications, electrical generation, financial investments, transportation infrastructure, ports operations and renewable energy.

Susan is an honors graduate of the College of William and Mary with a degree in American Government and English. She holds a Master of Arts degree in Human Resources Development from The George Washington University. A former intern in the Washington, D. C. office of United States Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Susan is an avid runner, a yoga enthusiast and an accomplished and dedicated equestrienne.

Recently, she was appointed to the Board of Advisors for the Sorensen Institute for Public Policy at the University of Virginia, a high honor for a government relations professional in the Commonwealth. As a member of the President's Advisory Cabinet at The College of William and Mary, Susan works with other government relations alumnae as they guide the College to increased influence in Virginia politics.

An active member of her community, Susan is on the Regional Board of Directors for Village Bank, serves on the Governmental Affairs Committee of the Greater Williamsburg Chamber and Tourism Alliance, and is on the Board of Directors for Agriculture in the Classroom. A lifelong Episcopalian, Susan is a member of Bruton Parish Episcopal Church where her activity focuses on the altar and floral guild. Her previous community activities include serving as President of the Junior League of Hampton Roads, President of the St. Andrew's Episcopal School Parents' Council and a member of the Board of Directors for the Virginia Symphony, as well as numerous volunteer activities at the Virginia Living Museum and the Peninsula Fine Arts Center, among others.

Susan is married to Dr. David W. Gaston, Superintendent of Schools for Charles City County and a tenured adjunct professor in the Darden School of Education at Old Dominion University. They have two sons, John, a Naval ROTC Marine Midshipman 1st Class and EMT/Paramedic candidate attending Old Dominion University, and Henry, a 3rd Class Cadet at the Virginia Military Institute. The Gaston's reside in Williamsburg with their Labrador Retriever, Anne Morgan, and their Thoroughbred, Coletrane.

As a former member of the North Carolina Senate, I have served as Vice-Chairman of Finance, Chair of Judiciary and Rules Committees. I have a thorough knowledge of the workings of government and the continual changing personnel in State Government. Trust and knowledge are not created overnight, but are nurtured over the years.

20+ years

Designated by peers as one of the most effective lobbyists in North Carolina

Recipient of the Order of the Long Leaf Pine

Recognized in Best Lawyers in America in the area of government
relations practice, and as Lawyer of the Year in government relations practice in Raleigh

Selected by the American Registry as the top 1% of America's Most Honored Lawyers for 2020

To be provided upon specific request

Former North Carolina State Senator Alexander "Sandy" Sands is the leader of the firm's Public Policy and Governmental Affairs Group in Raleigh. He is a Registered Lobbyist. He represents businesses and individuals who have matters before both the legislative and executive branches of government in North Carolina. He's proven himself to be quite effective. When the North Carolina Center for Public Policy surveyed members of the General Assembly and lobbyists in 2009, researchers found Sands to be the 3rd most influential lobbyist in the Tarheel state.

Sandy has used his many years as a litigator in state and federal trial and appellate courts to develop his advocacy skills, which he now uses effectively for his clients in his lobbying and administrative law practice. He served as a North Carolina State Senator from 1986 until 1994. During that service he rose to the position of Chairman of the Committee on Rules and Operations of the Senate.

I've been passionate about politics and public policy for as long as I can remember, with experience across government, campaigns, nonprofit work, and the private sector. I started my career with the Delaware Volunteer Firemen's Association, then went on to serve as Scheduler and Executive Assistant to U.S. Senator Tom Carper, where I gained firsthand experience in federal operations and stakeholder engagement. Since then, I've worked on statewide campaigns, led education reform efforts, and most recently directed government relations for Valero Energy in Delaware, where I represented the company at all levels of government and helped navigate complex policy challenges. Today, I leverage that experience to build strong relationships and drive effective advocacy strategies that deliver results.

15-20 years

In 2022, Kim and the RWW team were named some of the most influential Delawareans in politics by the Delaware News Journal.

Named to the 40 under 40 in 2016

Women in Business Honoree in 2021

Worked with Sen. Tom Carper as a key staffer on his Senate campaign in 2026.

Gubernatorial appointment to the Delaware Community Foundation board.

Worked on various campaigns in a fundraising position.

Kim Willson has been interested in politics for as long as she can remember and comes to Ruggerio Willson & Associates with extensive experience. Her diverse background, which covers statewide and Senatorial campaigns, local community organizations and work in the non-profit sector as well as Fortune 500 companies positions her as an immediate contributor to the success of RWW.

Kim's first foray into local politics started in college when she began working for the Delaware Volunteer Firemen's Association's (DVFA) administration. Her role with the DVFA provided Kim with first-hand knowledge of how local organizations and governments work together. It also gave her hands-on experience in cultivating those relationships, which is a skill vital to success in all aspects of government relations. Kim's next step was into national politics, serving as State Scheduler and Executive Assistant for United States Senator Tom Carper (D-DE). During this time, Kim was in daily communication with the Senator and served as the first point of contact for anyone trying to schedule meetings or events with him. She worked with both the Delaware and Washington, D.C. staff, and played an integral role in Senator Carper's successful 2006 Senate Re-Election Campaign.

Kim then entered the non-profit sector as the Program Manager for Vision 2015, an education reform program focused on transforming public education in Delaware to a world-class status. During her tenure with Vision 2015, Kim's daily interactions were with various school officials, the Department of Education, the University of Delaware Provosts, as well as state, local, and federal elected officials to further the mission, gain support, and work towards securing funding to continue the growth of the program.

Following her time with Vision 2015, Kim returned to the political campaign arena, serving as Regional Field Director in Kent County (DE) for the 2008 Delaware Democratic Party Coordinated Campaign. While there, Kim worked intimately with local, state, and federal elected officials and party leaders to ensure a Democratic win from the presidential race to the local offices, along with helping to secure a democratic majority in the Delaware House of Representatives.

Most recently, Kim led Government Relations for Valero Energy Corporation, a Fortune 500 company, in Delaware. During her tenure with Valero, Kim served as the face of Valero in Delaware, representing the company in the community but also working with members of Delaware's government on all levels, including the congressional delegation, State House of Representatives, State Senate, various state agencies, and the office of the governor. Kim worked to educate all parties about the refinery. She also helped to pull together union and state business leaders in order to stop a piece of legislation that would have cost Valero several million dollars.

Kim is married with two daughters. She is very involved with the local organization, Gals that Give. Aside from the beach, her favorite hang-outs are the local Crossfit box and yummy locally-owned restaurants.

KARLITO ALMEDA

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THOMAS GENTRY

(Illinois)
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CHRISTOPHER HUGHES

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LINDA KOWALSKI

(Connecticut)
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MATTHEW MCDERMOTT

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EDWARD MCGLYNN

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KENDALL MURPHY

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BRIAN SMITH

(Connecticut)

BRADFORD WEEKS

(Connecticut)
Clients:
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Clients:

1) Advanced Energy United

2) Advancing The Future Of Younger Generations LLC

3) Alpha School 10038, LLC

4) American Beverage Association

5) Amp Robotics Corporation

6) Astoria Generating Company, L.p.

7) Aurora Carleton LLC

8) Avangrid Management Company, LLC

9) Backstretch Employee Service Team Of NY, INC

10) Bae Systems, INC.

11) Bell Laboratories, INC.

12) Beowulf Electricity & Data LLC

13) Bestpass, INC.

14) Biotechnology Innovation Organization (Bio)

15) Broadview Federal Credit Union

16) Camba, INC.

17) Cassena Care LLC

18) Catholic Health System Of Long Island, INC. D/B/A Catholic Health

19) Centralus Health, INC.

20) Chidi Eze

21) City Of Yonkers

22) Clearing House Payments Company, L.l.c. (The)

23) Coalition For The Advancement Of Small Business Pharmacy

24) Commission On Independent Colleges & Universities

25) Community Outreach Center, INC.

26) Crewstone International Sdn Bhd

27) Curia Global, INC.

28) Databricks, INC.

29) Debmar/Mercury, LLC

30) Environmental Advocates Action, INC

31) Ev Transportation Services, INC.

32) Evgo Services LLC

33) Field Point Servicing, LLC

34) Finger Lakes Ipa, INC. D/B/A Forward Leading Ipa

35) Fmr LLC

36) Freedom Financial Network, LLC

37) Fresenius Medical Care North America, INC.

38) Friends Of John Jay Homestead

39) Global Kratom Coalition

40) Government Employees Insurance Company (Geico)

41) Guidehouse INC. (D/B/A Guidehouse Consulting)

42) Healthcare Association Of New York State, INC.

43) Jackpocket INC.

44) Johnson Controls, INC.

45) K&R Preservation LLC

PATRIZIA ZITA

(New Jersey)
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