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RHETT RUGGERIO

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.

MILES BAKER

Miles Baker Alaska, is one of Alaska's leading lobbying and government relations firms with decades of experience managing complex policy initiatives through a range of public and legislative processes.

Our roots run deep. We're experts at navigating Alaska's complex business, political and cultural landscape.

We've built trusted relationships that open doors and provide clients with access and influence at both the state and local level.

We're attuned to the issues and concerns of Alaskans, and can develop strategies to successfully advance your business interests in the state.

20+ years

Professional Highlights

Legislative Director to Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy, responsible for leading the administration's legislative and public policy agenda

Infrastructure Investment Coordinator, managing Alaska's implementation of the $1.2 trillion federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA)

AVP Government Relations for the University of Alaska, managing federal, state, and local affairs

VP External Affairs & Government Relations for the Alaska Gasline Development Corporation

State Director for U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski and policy advisor in her Washington D.C office

Senior budget and appropriations staff for the Alaska Senate Finance Committee

Chief of Staff to State Senator Bert Stedman

Six-Sigma Black Belt at NBC Entertainment

National Director of Sales and Marketing at Sony-BMG Music

U.S. Marine Corps logistics officer

Research partner with the Study of Environmental Arctic Change (SEARCH) at UAF's International Arctic Research Center

Adjunct Professor of Strategic Management at the University of Alaska Anchorage, College of Business and Public Policy

B.S. in Ocean Engineering from the U.S. Naval Academy and an MBA from UCLA's Anderson School of Management

Veteran, U.S. Marine Corps Officer and U.S. Naval Academy graduate
State Director, U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski
Legislative Director, Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy
Senior Budget and Appropriations Staff, Senate Finance Committee
VP External Affairs, Alaska Gasline Development Corporation
VP Government Relations, University of Alaska System
Six Sigma Blackbelt, NBC Entertainment
Director of Sales & Marketing, Sony/BMG Music
Research partner, Study of Environmental Arctic Change (SEARCH) at UAF's International Arctic Research Center
Adjunct Professor of Strategic Management , University of Alaska Anchorage, College of Business and Public Policy

Miles Baker is a second-generation Alaskan with 20+ years of experience in public policy, government relations, and strategic communications in the state. He has held leadership roles in the executive, legislative and congressional branches of government, and managed complex policy initiatives through a range of public and legislative processes. He is founder and Managing Principal of Miles Baker Alaska, a Juneau and Anchorage based lobbying and strategic consulting firm.

He was State Director for U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski, Legislative Director for Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy, VP Government Relations for the University of Alaska System, VP External Affairs for the Alaska Gasline Development Corporation, and a senior budget and appropriations staffer to the Alaska State Senate.

Miles was an entertainment executive in Los Angeles, a Six-Sigma Black Belt at NBC Entertainment, and National Director of Sales and Marketing with Sony-BMG's classical and jazz division. He began his media career in artist development at Island Records and Arista Records.

A former U.S. Marine Corps Captain, Miles holds a BS in Ocean Engineering from the U.S. Naval Academy and MBA from UCLA's Anderson School of Management.

FRANK BICKFORD

20+ years

Dell Sales & Government Affairs Award
American Academy of Ophthalmology Public Service Award

BICKFORD PACIFIC GROUP (BPG) has over 25 years experience specializing in all aspects of government, legislative, state administration and local assembly/city council. BPG has been recognized as one of Alaska's top 10 lobbyists with a client list that includes Fortune Top 500 companies. BPG clients benefit from our trusted bipartisan relationships that have resulted in successful outcomes.

Whether you are seeking to enact or defeat legislation on a state or local level, BPG has a proven success record.

Firm Specialties:
Lobbying local & state
Digital/social media advocacy
Grassroots/grasstops
Strategist specialist
Communications/public relations
Crisis management

FRANK BICKFORD, before becoming a lobbyist was a staffer in the early 80's for then U.S. Senator Frank Murkowski, Former State Senator Fritz Pettyjohn and managed Congressman Don Young's campaign in 1984. Frank has been a state lobbyist since the year 2000, with a host of clients and excellent reputation among Democrat, Republican and Independent elected officials.

VERITY WATSON

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.

KIM WILLSON

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.

Clients:
Clients:

BRIAN BALLARD

(Florida, )
Clients:

1) 19 Enterprises, LLC

2) 900 Condo Developer, LP

3) Access Restoration Services US, Inc.

4) Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts

5) Advanced Rx Pharmacy, LLC

6) AIDS Healthcare Foundation

7) Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

8) Alliance for Commercial Real Estate

9) Amazon.com, Inc.

10) American Coastal Insurance Company

11) American Veterinary Medical Association

12) Angel Armor

13) AquaFence Inc.

14) AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals, LP

15) AT&T Services, Inc.

16) Atlas Air, Inc.

17) Atlas Data Privacy Corporation

18) Atlys Global, LLC

19) Axon Enterprise, Inc.

20) Babcock Property Holdings, LLC

21) Barry University

22) Basketball Properties, LTD

23) Bayer U.S. LLC

24) Big Bend Homeless Coalition

25) BioStem Technologies

26) Block, Inc.

27) Blue Origin Florida, LLC

28) Botanicals for Better Health and Wellness

29) Brent L. Mills, Incorporated

30) Brightstar Global Solutions Corporation

31) Broward County

32) Broward County Sheriff's Office

33) BusPatrol America LLC

34) Camillus House, Inc

35) Canvasback Conservation LLC

36) Caplin Family Offices, LLC

37) Centene Corporation on behalf of its affiliates and subsidiaries

38) Churchill Downs, Inc

39) Citrus Health Network, Inc

40) City of Aventura

41) City of Boynton Beach

42) City of Bradenton

43) City of Cape Coral, Florida

44) City of DeBary

45) City of Delray Beach

46) City of Hallandale Beach

47) City of Largo

48) City of Marathon

49) City of Miami

50) City of Palm Beach Gardens

51) City of Pembroke Pines

52) City of Pensacola, Florida

53) City of Punta Gorda

54) City of Sarasota, Florida

55) City of Treasure Island

56) Clear Ballot Group

57) Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller, Palm Beach County

58) Clyde Johnson Contracting & Roofing, Inc.

59) Coastal Waste & Recycling Inc.

60) Coinbase, Inc.

61) Communications International, Inc.

62) Core and Main LP

63) CORE Construction

64) Council of Florida Medical School Deans

65) Cox Communications

66) Cox Science Center and Aquarium

67) Cruise Lines International Association

68) Crypto Council for Innovation

69) DACRA

70) DBL Ventures

71) de Moya Highway Infrastructure LLC

72) DEEP Research Incorporated

73) Delaware North Companies Gaming & Entertainment, Inc

74) Destinations Florida

75) Dhillon Law Group

76) DMF Employment Opportunities, Inc.

77) Doodie Calls LLC

78) DoorDash, Inc.

79) Downtown Vision, Inc.

80) DRC Emergency Services, LLC

81) DSW Homes, LLC

82) Earth Funeral LLC

83) East Coast Packers, LLC

84) Eisai, Inc

85) Embassy of Japan

86) Enespa Technologies US LLC

87) Epilepsy Florida

88) Equifax Inc.

89) FarmaceuticalRX LLC

90) Feeding Florida, Inc.

91) Figgers Communication, Inc.

92) Fire Neural Network

93) First American Title Insurance Company

94) Fisher Island Club, Inc.

95) Florida A & M University Foundation

96) Florida Alliance for Seniors

97) Florida Association of Cosmetology & Technical Schools (FACTS)

98) Florida Entertainment & Arts Venues Association, Inc.

99) Florida Gulf Coast University Foundation, Inc.

100) Florida Network of Youth and Family Services, Inc

101) Florida Podiatric Medical Association

102) Florida Power & Light Company

103) Florida Rural Water Association

104) Florida Sheriffs Risk Management Fund

105) Florida Society of Ophthalmology

106) Florida Society of Pathologists

107) Florida Tomato Exchange

108) Florida Transportation Builders Association, Inc

109) Florida Veterinary Medical Association

110) FOP Foundation

111) Foster Care Review, Inc

112) Foundation for Seminole State College of Florida, Inc

113) Fresenius Medical Care North America

114) Friends of the Underline, Inc.

115) GAF Materials, LLC

116) Gates Housing Group, LLC

117) GlaxoSmithKline

118) Habilitation Center for the Handicapped, Inc.

119) Halt Fire

120) Health Care District of Palm Beach County

121) Henderson Behavioral Health

122) HistoryMiami Museum

123) HNTB Corporation

124) Hope Healthcare

125) Housing Trust Group, LLC

126) HPM Lot 5, LLC

127) HPM Resi II, LLC

128) Huntington Ingalls Incorporated

129) Ibis Healthcare, Inc.

130) Indelible Management Solutions, Inc.

131) Infrastructure Rehabilitation USA, Inc.

132) Intellectually Developmentally Disabled Community Foundation

133) International Atlantic, LLC

134) Investment Corporation of Palm Beach

135) Jacksonville Transportation Authority

136) Juvare, LLC and its affiliates

137) Keystone Properties, L.L.C.

138) Kinder Morgan, Inc.

139) Kitson Evergreen LLC d/b/a Kitson & Partners

140) Kleo, Inc. d/b/a ClassWallet

141) KPMG LLP

142) L3Harris Technologies, Inc.

143) Lee Health System, Inc

144) Leonard Mace and Krystle A. Mace

145) Liberty Dental Plan

146) Lifepoint Health

147) LifeScience Logistics

148) Lions World Vision Institute, Inc.

149) Lupin Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

150) M&M Realty Partners LLC

151) Major League Baseball

152) Marine Towing of Tampa, LLC

153) Marion County Board of County Commissioners

154) Martin County Board of County Commissioners

155) Max Planck Florida Foundation, Inc

156) Maxim Healthcare Services, Inc

157) MCI, LC

158) Meta Platforms, Inc.

159) Miami Dade College Foundation

160) Miami Design District Associates, LLC

161) Miami Learning Experience School

162) Miami Lighthouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired, Inc

163) Monsanto Company dba Ruveon LLC

164) Morningstar Nursery, Inc.

165) Mosaic Fertilizer, LLC

166) Mount Sinai Medical Center

167) NAIOP Tampa Bay

168) National Rental Home Council

169) National Stormwater Trust, Inc.

170) Nationwide Retirement Solutions, Inc.

171) Natural Health Partners, LLC

172) New York Yankees

173) Nomi Health Inc

174) North Broward Hospital District (d/b/a Broward Health)

175) Northport Health Services of Florida, L.L.C.

176) Nova Southeastern University

177) Office of the Commissioner of Baseball

178) Online Lenders Alliance

179) Orange Barrel Media

180) Orion Edge Group

181) Palm Beach Aggregates, LLC

182) Panza, Maurer & Maynard, P.A.

183) Parsons Transportation Group Inc.

184) Pensacola State College Foundation, Inc.

185) Philips North America, LLC

186) PointClickCare Technologies USA Corp

187) Praesentia Healthcare LLC

188) Public Health Trust

189) Quarterhill

190) RAI Services Company

191) Re-Entry Alliance Pensacola, Inc.

192) ReaSyn Technologies, Inc.

193) Renew Financial Group LLC

194) Revenue Based Finance Coalition

195) Reyes Holdings, L.L.C.

196) Right Fit Advisors

197) RightSite Health

198) Rivenmoor USA Corp.

199) Robinhood

200) RTI International

201) RUDG, LLC

202) Ruveon LLC

203) Safe Harbor Hospice LLC

204) SaferWatch

205) Safety Net Hospital Alliance of Florida

206) Sanford Airport Authority

207) SAS Institute, Inc

208) Security Scorecard

209) Selah Freedom

210) Seminole Hard Rock Digital, LLC

211) Sentara Health Plans, Inc.

212) SePro Corporation

213) Shands Teaching Hospital and Clinics, Inc.

214) Shopping Center Management d/b/a Turnberry Associates

215) Sig Sauer, Inc.

216) Simon Wiesenthal Center, Inc.

217) SimpliGov, LLC

218) Skyward, Inc.

219) Socure, Inc.

220) Solar Sportsystems, Inc

221) South Central Florida Express, Inc

222) South Florida Police Benevolent Association

223) Southern Glazers Wine and Spirits, LLC.

224) Southern Technical College Suncoast, LLC

225) Spark Learning, Inc.

226) SPIDR Tech, Inc.

227) Spray Foam Coalition Association

228) St. Johns County

229) State Armor

230) Strategic Digital Services

231) Stride, Inc.

232) Strydent Autonomous Technologies, Inc.

233) Success Academy Charter Schools, Inc.

234) Suffolk Construction Company, Inc.

235) Sunfest Herbs LLC

236) Sunrise Sunset Apts, LLC

237) SWARM Inc.

238) Talk of the Town, Inc.

239) Tampa General Hospital

240) The Pattah, LLC

241) The Private Suite

242) The School Board of Lee County

243) Titan America LLC

244) Town of Jupiter

245) Town of Lantana

246) Town of Palm Beach

247) Tremco Incorporated

248) Trulieve, Inc.

249) Unite USA, Inc.

250) United States Sugar Corporation

251) University of Central Florida Foundation, Inc.

252) University of Florida Foundation, Inc.

253) University of Miami

254) Vanguard Parking Solutions, Inc.

255) Versaterm Public Safety

256) Vilin Bio Med Limited

257) Village of North Palm Beach

258) Vireo Health, Inc.

259) Vista Higher Learning, LLC

260) Voices for Children Foundation, Inc

261) VyStar Credit Union

262) Walgreen Company

263) Walk Off Charities

264) WeatherSTEM

265) Wheeler Emergency Management Consulting, LLC

266) Wildlandscapes International

267) Windstorm Mitigation, Inc

268) Windstorm, Inc.

269) Worldwide Interactive Network, Inc. d/b/a WIN Learning

270) Xerox Corporation and its affiliates

271) YMCA of the Palm Beaches

272) Zoox, Inc.

273) Zscaler, Inc.

Clients:
Clients:

ANNA BROWN

(Kansas, )
  • (316) 461-2698

  • 800 SW Jackson ST, STE 1005, Topeka, KS, 66612, 

Clients:
Clients:

TASHAYLA PERSON DONOHOE

TASHAYLA PERSON DONOHOE

(Missouri, )
  • (913) 302-3098

  • PO Box 7143, 4th Floor, Kansas City, MO, 64113, 

Clients:

ALEX EATON

(MO, MO, )
  • (573) 616-9860

  • PO Box 7143, Kansas City, MO, 64113, 

Clients:

DEREK HEIN

(Kansas, )
Clients:

REBECCA LOHMANN

(Missouri, )
  • (573) 434-1514

  • PO Box 7143, PO Box 7143, Kansas City, MO, 64113, 

Clients:

ADRIAN LUKIS

(Florida, )
  • (850) 577-0444

  • 201 East Park Avenue, 5th FL, Tallahassee, Florida, 32301, 

Clients:
Clients:
Clients:

JOHN MONROE

(Kansas, )
  • (785) 408-1381

  • 800 SW JACKSON STREET, SUITE 1005, Topeka, KS, 66612, 

Clients:

TASHAYLA PERSON

(Kansas, )
  • (913) 302-3098

  • 800 SW Jackson St, Ste 1005, Topeka, KS, 66612, 

Clients:

DANIEL PFEIFER

(MO, MO, )
  • (202) 375-9575

  • P.O. Box 7143, Kansas City, MO, 64113, 

Clients:

GREG PORTER

(MO, MO, )
  • (816) 721-3336

  • P.O. Box 7143, Kansas City, MO, 64113, 

Clients:
Clients:
Clients:

ROBERT RICHARDSON

(Missouri, )
  • (573) 727-4488

  • PO Box 7143, Kansas City, MO, 64113, 

Clients:
Clients:
Clients:
Clients:
Clients:

DAVID WILLIS

(Missouri, )
Clients: