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.

20+ years

Champion of Recovery by Maryland Recovery Organization Connecting Communities, 2013

Achievement Award BY Maryland Association of Community Services in 2011 for leadership in securing passage of legislation to increase the alcohol tax that provides funding for services to people with developmental disabilities and other health care needs

Innovator of the Year for the Leadership in Disabilities Policy, Daily Record, 2010

Fighting the Opioid Overdose Crisis -- Passage of several pieces of legislation that address the opioid overdose crisis and other addiction treatment and recovery services, including funding for treatment providers, the removal of prior authorizations for certain medication, funding for behavioral health crisis services, guidance on opioid prescribing practices, education requirements in public school systems, and harm reduction measures;

Support for People with Disabilities -- Passage of legislation to provide significant increases to public assistance support to people with disabilities;

Prenatal and Newborn Services -- Passage of legislation establishing the Thrive by Three fund to support services to low income families and newborns;

Workforce Development -- Passage of legislation making changes to the social worker licensing law to promote and support the workforce;

Homelessness Prevention -- Defeat of legislation putting low income tenants at greater risk of unjust evictions; and

Delinquency Prevention -- Protected funding for services to at-risk youth and their families

Ann has relationships with the 188 members of the Maryland General Assembly and their staff, with strong ties to those on the health, judicial and budgetary committees. This includes relationships with staff in the Senate President's and House Speaker's offices. Ann has relationships with many people in the executive branch, including staff in the Governor's office; staff in many of the state agencies, including Health, Human Services, Juvenile Services, Public Safety and Correctional Services, Legislative Services, and Labor, Licensing and Regulation; and staff in many executive bodies, including the Governor's Office of Crime Control and Prevention, the Human Relations Commission, and the Governor's Office for Children.

Ann T. Ciekot is a founding partner of Public Policy Partners. Ann has more than 25 years of experience in government relations and public policy work in Maryland. Ann started in this field working for 10 years in statewide nonprofit advocacy organizations working on policy issues regarding affordable housing, homelessness and eviction prevention, public assistance programs, substance use disorder treatment and recovery, and funding for programs in each of these areas. In 2002, Ann became a founding partner of Binderman and Ciekot, a lobbying firm representing health and social justice issues. Since 2006, Ann has been part of Public Policy Partners, a firm growing in size and scope of work. Ann conducts regular trainings for organizations and both graduate and undergraduate school classes on aspects of Maryland government and how to effectively influence policy makers. Ann is a graduate of Loyola University Maryland and is a life-long resident of the state.

15-20 years

Charlotte Ellertson Innovation Award - American Society for Emergency Contraception

Choice Advocate Award - NARAL Pro-Choice Maryland

"Locking Down Our Patient's Privacy" - Planned Parenthood of Maryland

Advocate of the Year - Maryland Women's Coalition for Health Care Reform

Innovator of the Year - The Daily Record

Former Director of Governmental Affairs - Maryland State Department of Health

With over 20 years in the policy advocacy field, Robyn S. Elliott has been a strong and successful advocate for community health providers primarily focused on ensuring increasing funding for health services, expanding health benefits, and ensuring that the regulatory environment allows providers to operate efficiently and effectively. Prior to this, Robyn worked for both the legislative and executive branches, where she spent almost ten years advocating for health care funding and policy priorities within State government. This included three years as the Director of Governmental Affairs for the Maryland Department of Health, where she was responsible for the broadest legislative package of any State agency; and two years in the Department as an advisor to the Secretary and Chief Financial Officer on how to advocate for funding priorities. Before her tenure at the Department of Health, Robyn worked with the Maryland General Assembly for three years as a budget analyst. She was responsible for advising the legislature about the budgets and policies of the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene and Department of Aging. Robyn came to the General Assembly with several years of experience in health care finance, where she managed the budget for a State cancer-screening grant program and oversaw the budget process for a large hospital department. She has a master's degree in health care administration from the University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill.

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.

6-10 years

I worked for two years for the majority whip then the budget chairman in North Carolina.

Logan Martin is a versatile and experienced state lobbyist with a proven track record of advocating for a wide range of clients in the political arena. With years of experience navigating the complex legislative landscape, Logan has developed a deep understanding of the issues and policies that shape the state's political climate. His expertise in coalition building, strategic communications, and legislative analysis have helped him to successfully advance his clients' agendas in a variety of areas, including economic development, healthcare, education, and alcohol policy. Logan is passionate about public service and is committed to ensuring that his clients' voices are heard and their needs are met in the halls of power.

Past and current clients include the American Conservative Union, the North Carolina Medical Genetics Association, the North Carolina Dermatology Association, the North Carolina Bar Owners Association, yes, every kid and a myriad of many more ranging from private businesses and nonprofits to trade associations and startups, all of which have national, state, and local interests and objectives. Logan has a long history of assisting organizations across every sector and has extensive policy and political experience with a nationwide network across the political spectrum.

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.

0-5 years

Staffed the Sunset, Judiciary, and Telecommunications committees in the House

Staffed Delaware first AI Commission

I previously served as a Legislative Aide in the Delaware House of Representatives, supporting Krista Griffith, Stell Parker Selby, and Cyndie Romer. In this role, I staffed the House Sunset Committee, Judiciary Committee, and Technology and Telecommunications Committee, providing legislative research, tracking, and administrative support.

I also staffed Delaware's first Artificial Intelligence Commission, supporting a 23-member body responsible for advising state leaders and agencies on the responsible use of AI and the development of statewide policy recommendations.

Through my work in the House, I developed strong professional relationships with members of both the House and Senate through committee work, legislative collaboration, and constituent services.

Ryan discovered his passion for public policy and the legislative process during an internship with the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services, where he saw firsthand how inclusive participation leads to more responsive and equitable governance. He went on to serve as a Legislative Aide in the Delaware House of Representatives, where he was responsible for researching, tracking, and drafting legislation, supporting multiple legislative committees, and managing constituent relations.

During his tenure, Ryan gained hands-on experience supporting Delaware's first Artificial Intelligence Commission, established by the 152nd General Assembly through House Bill 333. In this role, he staffed a diverse group of 23 members tasked with advising state leaders and agencies on the responsible use of AI. The Commission develops statewide policies and guidelines that promote innovative service improvements while safeguarding citizens' rights and identifying high-risk areas across government. He also supported the House Judiciary Committee, the Technology and Telecommunications Committee, and the Sunset Committee.

In addition to his government service, Ryan has been actively involved in several political campaigns, gaining valuable insights into the intersection of policy, public engagement, and effective governance.

Ryan earned his Bachelor's degree in Health Sciences with a minor in Business Administration from the University of Delaware. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with family on the Eastern Shore, staying active at the gym, and cheering on the Philadelphia Eagles.

0-5 years

I have legislative experience in a variety of issues affecting the insurance industry and related sectors, including health insurance, property and casualty insurance and regulatory reform. Prior to joining Public Policy Partners, I was the Director of Government Relations for the Maryland Hospital Association. I also served as the Director of Government Relations for the Maryland Insurance Administration. I have a Juris Doctor from the University of Baltimore School of Law, a Masters of Business Administration from the University of Baltimore and a Bachelor's of Science from Salisbury University.