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Full Profile

DAVID SMITH

(New Jersey, )

Princeton Public Affairs Group Inc

smith@ppag.com
(609) 209-7780
160 W State St, Trenton, NJ, 08608,

Subjects: All Subjects

Links:Website, TAG Profile

Princeton Public Affairs Group, the largest government affairs firm in New Jersey, is a multifaceted organization specializing in government relations and communications in New Jersey. We have offices in Trenton, New Jersey and Washington, D.C. with an unparalleled network of contacts throughout the state. The strength of our firm derives from the diverse backgrounds of the firm's partners and associates which include a former President of the New Jersey Senate, Speaker of the New Jersey General Assembly, Counsel to the Governor, Chief Counsel to the General Assembly and several former Directors of the Legislature.

Firm Specialties:
An accomplished bipartisan staff between our Trenton, New Jersey and Washington, DC offices ensures that our clients are well represented on both sides of the political aisle and at all levels of government. The mix and wealth of experience among our professionals provides for expertise in all areas of public policy.

Whatever the task: working our way through the permitting process, delivering a change in a regulation or orchestrating the introduction and passage of major legislation, we've done it.

Wherever the setting: before a Legislative Committee or in the Office of the Governor, we've been there.

Whomever the players: the Commissioner of a State Department, a key Committee aide, the Legislative leadership or the Chief of Staff, we know them.

And each and every one of our clients is assured the benefit of that expertise. You see, at the Princeton Public Affairs Group, our philosophy dictates that each of our clients works with a firm partner. There are no junior executives. This is one of the qualities which separates us from other firms. It gives our clients the best we have. And it works.

1) Active Hours Inc dba Earnin

2) Adler Aphasia Center

3) Advantage Capital Partners

4) Alliance of Health Care Sharing Ministries (AHCSM)

5) Allstate Insurance Co

6) Altria Client Services LCC and its Affiliates/Philip Morris USA Inc

7) Altria Client Services LLC

8) Altria Client Services LLC and its Affiliates/Helix Innovations LLC

9) Altria Client Services LLC and its Affiliates/John Middleton Co

10) Altria Client Services LLC and its Affiliates/NJOY LLC

11) Altria Client Services LLC and its Affiliates/US Smokeless Tobacco Co

12) American Association of Dental Boards

13) American Fuel and Petrochemical Manufacturers

14) American Kratom Association

15) American Massage Therapy Association NJ Chapter

16) American Specialty Health

17) American Suntanning Association

18) American Water Works Association of NJ

19) American Wood Council

20) Ancestry.com Operations Inc.

21) Ardent Health Services

22) Arista Networks

23) AshBritt Environmental Inc

24) Association of Environmental Authorities

25) Association of Municipal Assessors of NJ The

26) Atlas Diagnostics

27) Avaya Inc

28) Aveanna Healthcare

29) Balcony Technology Group Inc.

30) Bayview Marina

31) Beacon Specialized Living NJ

32) Bergen Volunteer Medical Initiative

33) Bet Makers

34) Beth Medrash Govoha

35) Betr Holdings Inc.

36) Big Brothers Big Sisters of Coastal and Northern New Jersey

37) BLANKROME

38) Boardwalk 1000 LLC d/b/a Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City

39) Braeburn Inc.

40) Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers

41) Brief

42) Britton Industries Inc

43) Brown & Connery LLP

44) Buckeye Brine LLC

45) BusPatrol America LLC

46) BVNK

47) Cedar Management

48) Charlie Health Inc.

49) Chauffeured Transportation Assoc. of NJ rebranded from Limousine Assoc. of NJ

50) Cheshire Home

51) CME Group

52) Coach USA

53) Coalition for Equitable Early Education

54) Coalition for Home Equity Partnership (CHEP)

55) Coalition of County SPCAs

56) Commission on Dental Competency Assessments

57) CompCare Therapeutics Inc

58) Concentra Medical Centers

59) Concord Engineering Group

60) Constitutional Officers Association of NJ

61) Consumer Technology Association

62) Continent 8 LLC

63) Conventus Inter-Insurance Exchange

64) Coppola Services Inc.

65) Council for Private Schools for Children with Special Needs

66) County of Essex

67) CSL Behring

68) Davidson Kempner Capital Management LP

69) DaVita Inc.

70) DCI Group AZ LLC

71) Deborah Heart & Lung Center

72) Delta Dental Plan of NJ Inc

73) DMR Architects PC

74) Doherty Group (The)/Doherty Enterprises

75) Duke Farms Foundation

76) Eagleview Group LLC

77) Educational Services Commission of NJ (formerly Middlesex Regional Educational Services Commission)

78) EFK Group

79) ElectroBills Healthcare Solutions

80) Enterprise Holdings

81) Equitable Financial Life Insurance Company

82) F & D Enterprises LLC

83) Fair Funding for Students

84) Fedway Associates

85) Fieldstone Properties LLC

86) Financial Services Institute

87) Fontana Law Group LLC d/b/a Crimson Legal Group

88) Fox Hollow Golf Partners LLC

89) Frank Ruocco

90) Garden State Coalition of Schools

91) Genentech Inc, a Member of the Roche Group

92) Genesys Cloud Services Inc.

93) Giggl Childcare

94) Golden Nugget, The

95) Gordian Group The

96) Gourmet Dining

97) GPD Holdings LLC d/b/a CoinFlip

98) Harmony Foundation of NJ

99) Hello Heart Inc.

100) HG Vora Capital Management LLC

101) Highlands Rowing Center Inc.

102) Hillsborough Crossings LLC

103) Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of NJ

104) iGamingCloud Limited

105) Indiana Professional Management Corp.

106) Insurance Auto Auctions

107) Integrity Health

108) Intersection Parent LLC f/k/a Intersection Media LLC

109) John P Holland Charter School

110) Johnson Controls Inc

111) Junior Achievement of New Jersey

112) Just Bee the Change

113) Justice Grown JG New Jersey LLC

114) Kaleo Inc

115) Kemper Realty Inc

116) Land Conservancy of NJ

117) LeadingAge New Jersey and Delaware

118) Lilly USA LLC

119) Line Gaming Holdings Corporation

120) LINY Investor LLC

121) Live Traffic Data LLC

122) Lotto.com

123) Lottoland Ltd

124) Maersk Inc

125) Magellan Healthcare Inc.

126) Malaysian Rubber Export Promotion Council USA

127) Manheim NJ

128) Marino Tortorella & Boyle PC

129) Mark43

130) Matheny Medical and Educational Center

131) Maven Construction Corp.

132) McCarter Theater Center

133) Metlife

134) Micro Electronics Inc

135) Mid Atlantic Joint Labor Management Council

136) Mitchell Williams Selig Gates & Woodyard PLLC

137) Modivcare

138) Molson Coors Beverage Company

139) Morris View Management LLC

140) Motorola Solutions Inc

141) MSD LLC

142) National Assoc. of Benefits & Insurance Professionals of NJ

143) National Association of Social Workers NJ Chapter

144) National Strategies - Everlaw

145) National Strategies LLC / Compass Pathways

146) National Strategies LLC/Knox Company

147) National Strategies LLC/ReUp Education

148) NBC Universal Media LLC

149) Nemours Foundation, The

150) New Bridge Medical Center

151) New Brunswick Development Corp dba DEVCO

152) New Jersey Interactive LLC dba Tyler New Jersey

153) New Jersey Jobs, Growth & Prosperity Coalition

154) NJ Air Conditioning Contractors of America

155) NJ Association of Colleges for Teacher Education

156) NJ Association of Election Officials

157) NJ Association of Nurse Anesthetists

158) NJ Catholic Conference

159) NJ Civil Justice Institute

160) NJ Coalition of Automotive Retailers (NJCAR)

161) NJ Codes Coalition Municipal Electrical Inspectors Association of NJ

162) NJ Funeral Directors Services Inc

163) NJ Hall of Fame

164) NJ Hospital Association

165) NJ Institute of Technology

166) NJ Liquor Store Alliance

167) NJ Manufactured Housing Association

168) NJ Marijuana Retailers Association (NJMRA)

169) NJ Municipal Excess Liability Joint Insurance Fund - MELJIF

170) NJ Press Association

171) NJ Private School Council

172) NJ Restaurant and Hospitality Association formerly NJ Restaurant Association

173) NJ School Bus Contractors Association Inc

174) NJ Society of Certified Public Accountants

175) NJ State Association of Pipe Trades

176) NJ State League of Master Plumbers

177) NJ State Nurses Association

178) NJ State Troopers Fraternal Association

179) NJ Thoroughbred Horsemens Association

180) NJ Veterinary Medical Association

181) NJ Wholesale Marketers Association

182) NJ Wine & Spirits Wholesalers Association

183) Nucor Corporation

184) Nulli Secundus Health Inc.

185) Nulli Secundus Health Inc. dba Birches Health

186) NW Financial Group LLC

187) Oddin.gg US LLC formerly Oddin.gg.s.r.o

188) Ohm Theory LLC

189) OneMain General Services Corporation

190) Ora Apps Inc and its subsidiary company CNK Management Inc

191) PalCare

192) Partnership for Innovative Action (The)

193) PennEast Pipeline Co LLC

194) Phenix Salon Suites Franchising LLC

195) Planned Companies

196) PNC Bank

197) Porchetta Companies Ltd.

198) Prevenitas

199) Princeton Public Affairs Group

200) Pro League Network

201) Progress NJ

202) Progyny

203) Prologis LP

204) Propelus

205) PSE&G Co

206) Public Consulting Group LLC

207) Public Entity Joint Insurance Fund (PEJIF)

208) REED Academy

209) Responsible Beverage Association of New Jersey

210) Rising Pharmaceuticals

211) Roblox Corporation

212) Roche Diagnostics Corporation

213) Rush Street Interactive

214) RWJ Barnabas Health

215) Ryan LLC

216) Safepoint Scientific

217) Safety First Healthcare Corp

218) Salon Suites Association of New Jersey

219) SAS Institute Inc

220) Savannah Energy

221) Secured Finance Network (SFNet)

222) Service Contract Industry Council

223) Sherwin-Williams Co

224) Smart Product Innovations Inc.

225) Socure Inc.

226) Solar Landscape

227) Somerset Development

228) Southern & Northern NJ Maternal & Child Health Consortiums

229) Special Children's Center The

230) Spencer Savings Bank

231) St. Joseph's University Medical Center, Inc.

232) State Troopers NCO Association of NJ

233) Stone Hill Ventures LLC

234) Syensqo Finance (America) LLC formerly Solvay Specialty Polymers USA LLC

235) TD Bank NA

236) Teachers of Tomorrow

237) TechUnited:NJ

238) Tekni-Plex Inc.

239) Tenax Strategies Inc

240) Thomson West

241) Township of Readington

242) Traveling Vineyards

243) Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania

244) Turnbull Law Group

245) United Airlines Inc

246) United Way of Hunterdon County

247) Univision Communications Inc

248) US Facilities Inc

249) USA Architects Corp

250) Utility and Transportation Contractors Association (UTCA)

251) Valley Hospital

252) Van Cleef Engineering Associates

253) Vertical Bridge

254) Vertical Bridge REIT LLC

255) Virtual Gaming World (VGW) Corporate Services Australia Pty Ltd

256) Walmart Inc.

257) Waymo LLC

258) Wellcare Health Plans Inc., a subsidiary of Centene Corporation

259) West Publishing Co

260) Western LNG LLC

261) WPT Enterprises inc.

DAVID A. SMITH is a partner in the Princeton Public Affairs Group, is a veteran of the public affairs arena and has successfully managed public affairs campaigns impacting auto insurance, life insurance, tort reform and environmental legislative initiatives. Mr. Smith received national acclaim when he was honored with a ""Pollie Award"" by the American Association of Political Consultants and named to their United States ""Public Affairs Team of the Year." Mr. Smith was also named one of the most influential players in New Jersey's Healthcare arena by the Annual HealthSense Listing. Since 2005, Mr. Smith has been a Commissioner on the New Jersey Motion Picture and Television Commission (nominated by the Governor for two separate four year terms and confirmed by the NJ Senate) and currently serves as an Officer on the Commission (Secretary). Mr. Smith serves on the National Board of Directors of the Public Affairs Council, and was one of the few contract lobbyists in the Country to be appointed to a National Task Force charged with creating ethical standard for lobbyists throughout the United States. Mr. Smith is a founder and member of the Board of Directors of ProtectingAmerica.org, an advocacy organization Co-chaired by James Lee Witt, former Cabinet member under President Clinton and Admiral James Loy, Deputy Director of Homeland Security under President Bush. Mr. Smith also serves as an Officer (1st Vice President) of the New Jersey Hall of Fame Foundation Board of Directors and also serves on the Executive Committee (Secretary) of The Advocacy Group (TAG). Finally, Mr. Smith serves on the Board of Directors as an officer (Treasurer) of the State Capitol Insurance Company RRG, the first professional liability company for lobbyists headquartered in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Mr. Smith has appeared on television and radio stations representing clients' interests, authored dozens of articles on politics/policy issues in New Jersey and is a frequent guest speaker/lecturer at national and state conferences, legislative hearings, meetings and seminars. He has been a consultant to statewide and legislative political campaigns and is a member of the Executive Finance Committee of the Assembly Democratic Leadership Committee as well as the New Jersey State Democratic Committee. Prior to joining the firm in 1995, Mr. Smith served as Director of Policy and Planning for the New Jersey General Assembly Democratic Office. In that capacity, Mr. Smith supervised the partisan staff of all Assembly Committees and Task Forces while serving as senior staff aide to the insurance and commerce legislative committees. He was a Director with the New Jersey Dental Association from 1985 to 1990 and served on several national and state health care and insurance advisory committees.

Mr. Smith was awarded a Master of Science in Financial Services (MSFS) Degree from the Richard D. Irwin Graduate School of The American College. He is a Graduate Fellow of the Public Affairs Institute, a three year educational program of the Public Affairs Council located in Washington, DC. Mr. Smith also graduated with a Bachelors of Arts Degree in Political Science from Gettysburg College.

Full Profile

TONY NIKNEJAD

(Tennessee, )

Stones River Group

tony.niknejad@stonesrivergroup.com
615-844-3381
21 Platform Way S., Suite 1610, Nashville, TN, 37203,

Subjects: All Subjects

Links:Website, LinkedIn

Tony is an attorney and policy expert with extensive experience in legislative strategy, budget development, and executive branch operations. He has shaped major state initiatives and advised senior state government leaders across a range of high-impact issues. From 2019 to 2023, he served as Policy Director for Tennessee Governor Bill Lee, where he developed landmark proposals in education, tax, healthcare, and workforce development. His leadership produced several major legislative wins, including the Tennessee Works Tax Act, the Education Savings Account program, and the TennCare III waiver. His role in the administration expanded during the COVID-19 pandemic when he led federal and multi-state relations, while also managing the distribution of more than $6 billion in federal relief through the state's Financial Stimulus Accountability Group.

1) Acadia Healthcare

2) ACT Education Corp.

3) Advantage Capital

4) Alliance Healthcare Services, Inc.

5) Aunt Bertha, a Public Benefit Corporation d/b/a findhelp

6) BlackRock Funds Services Group, LLC

7) Blount Partnership

8) BusPatrol America LLC

9) Campaign for Great Public Schools dba as City Fund Action

10) CE Broker d/b/a Propelus

11) CMH Services Inc.

12) Cognia

13) Communities In Schools of Tennessee

14) Critical Nurse Staffing, LLC

15) Curriculum Associates, LLC

16) DELTA DENTAL OF TN

17) DGA Residential LLC

18) Ernst & Young LLP

19) Esper Regulatory Technologies Inc.

20) Fisk University

21) Geographic Solutions, Inc

22) Goodwill Industries of Middle Tennessee, Inc.

23) Greater Nashville Regional Council

24) INGRAM INDUSTRIES, INC.

25) Jackson Madison County School System

26) Junior Achievement of Middle Tennessee

27) Kleo, Inc. d/b/a ClassWallet

Tony Niknejad is a distinguished policy strategist and government relations expert, skilled in the areas of legislative advocacy, fiscal management, and strategic planning. Tony assists clients with navigating the Tennessee political landscape, orchestrating policy and legislative initiatives, and steering comprehensive advocacy and public engagement campaigns. From 2019 to 2023, he was the Policy Director for Tennessee Governor Bill Lee, serving as a key advisor and leader for the Governor's Cabinet and leading many of the Administration's major policy reforms. As policy director, Tony also played a critical role in Governor Lee's successful 2018 campaign and post-election transition. Tony spearheaded key policy initiatives across a wide span, specializing in education, workforce, tax and healthcare policy.

He was a driving force behind multiple Administration legislative initiatives, including the Education Savings Account Act of 2019, the Literacy Success Act of 2021, the Tennessee Strong Families Initiative, and the Tennessee Works Tax Act of 2023.

Tony also led federal and multi-state relations through the COVID pandemic, coordinating the Financial Stimulus Accountability Group, which managed the allocation of over $6 billion in federal funds received through the CARES and American Rescue Plan Acts.

Prior to his work with Governor Lee, Tony served as state director for a school choice advocacy organization, overseeing Tennessee PAC activities and lobbying efforts from 2013 to 2017.

Before that, he served as a legislative staffer in the Tennessee State Senate during the 107th General Assembly.

Tony is a member of the State Bar of Tennessee and graduated from Vanderbilt University Law School in 2011. He received his bachelor's degree from the University of Georgia, where he double-majored in Economics and Philosophy. He was selected for the Harvard Business School Young American Leaders program, Nashville Class of 2019.

Full Profile

STEPHEN SUSANO

(Tennessee, )

Stones River Group

stephen.susano@stonesrivergroup.com
615-645-0233
511 Union Street, Suite 1100, Nashville, TN, 37219,

Stephen Susano is the Co-Founder and COO of Stones River Group, a Nashville-based public affairs firm serving both Tennessee, regional and national clients. He provides clients with strategic counsel on business opportunities and project management, regulatory matters, procurement, economic development, third-party engagement, and market positioning. Stephen leverages his lengthy private-sector experience and deep network of relationships with business leaders and key policymakers in state and local government across Tennessee to deliver solutions for clients in multiple industries.

6-10 years

Stephen Susano is the Co-Founder and COO of Stones River Group, a Nashville-based public affairs firm serving both Tennessee, regional and national clients. He provides clients with strategic counsel on business opportunities and project management, regulatory matters, procurement, economic development, third-party engagement, and market positioning. Stephen leverages his lengthy private-sector experience and deep network of relationships with business leaders and key policymakers in state and local government across Tennessee to deliver solutions for clients in multiple industries.

Prior to Stones River Group, Stephen served as Executive Director of the Tennessee Business Partnership (TBP), an advocacy organization supported by many of the state's leading enterprises. He spearheaded its efforts to advance pro-business policies, including education and judicial reforms, to encourage job growth and economic development. In 2014, Stephen led the statewide "Vote Yes on 2" campaign in support of the Judicial Selection Amendment to the Tennessee constitution. Stephen built a broad coalition of business groups, trade associations, legal advocates and community leaders in favor of the amendment. This coalition's successful mobilization helped ensure the amendment was approved with overwhelming support, carrying 94 out of 95 counties in Tennessee

Prior to working in the public affairs space, Stephen had an extensive career in the financial services industry. He served in operating and business development roles for several investment advisers and asset management firms. He has consulted with and raised capital for both U.S. and foreign-based investment firms, and has negotiated distribution and trading agreements with multiple financial services companies. Through his work, Stephen navigated complex regulatory regimes in domestic and offshore jurisdictions

Stephen grew up in Knoxville, Tennessee and currently lives in Brentwood with his wife, Ana. He and Ana have four children. Stephen serves on the board of the Nashville Downtown Partnership.

Full Profile

CHRIS GOBBLE

(Tennessee, )

Stones River Group

chris.gobble@stonesrivergroup.com
615-645-0233
511 Union Street, Suite 1100, Nashville, TN, 37219,

Chris Gobble is a respected government affairs specialist with deep issue expertise and a broad base of policymaker and stakeholder relationships. He leverages his insights into the state General Assembly, Tennessee executive branch, and local governments to help SRG clients navigate complex political challenges and effectively advance meaningful policy solutions. Prior to joining SRG, Chris served as senior director of public policy for the Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce and was the legislative and policy director for the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security under Governor Bill Haslam.

1) Acadia Healthcare

2) ACT Education Corp.

3) Advantage Capital

4) Alliance Healthcare Services, Inc.

5) Aunt Bertha, a Public Benefit Corporation d/b/a findhelp

6) BlackRock Funds Services Group, LLC

7) Blount Partnership

8) BusPatrol America LLC

9) Campaign for Great Public Schools dba as City Fund Action

10) Care Advantage, Inc.

11) CE Broker d/b/a Propelus

12) CMH Services Inc.

13) Communities In Schools of Tennessee

14) Critical Nurse Staffing, LLC

15) Curriculum Associates, LLC

16) DELTA DENTAL OF TN

17) DGA Residential LLC

18) Emerald Youth Foundation

19) Ernst & Young LLP

20) Esper Regulatory Technologies Inc.

21) Geographic Solutions, Inc

22) Goodwill Industries of Middle Tennessee, Inc.

23) Graduation Alliance, Inc

24) Greater Nashville Regional Council

25) Guardian Fleet Services, Inc.

26) INGRAM INDUSTRIES, INC.

27) Jackson Madison County School System

0-5 years

Chris Gobble is a respected government affairs specialist with deep issue expertise and a broad base of policymaker and stakeholder relationships. He leverages his insights into the state General Assembly, Tennessee executive branch, and local governments to help SRG clients navigate complex political challenges and effectively advance meaningful policy solutions.

Prior to joining SRG, Chris served as senior director of public policy for the Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce, where he helped drive policy changes and facilitate government affairs efforts for 2,000 businesses representing over 180,000 employees. He also regularly and effectively collaborated with local, state, and federal elected officials to advance Chattanooga's status as a leader in education, workforce, and economic development.

Prior to Gobble's tenure in Chattanooga, he was the legislative and policy director for the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security. In this role, Gobble worked closely with Governor Bill Haslam's office and the state legislature to develop and implement a variety of public policy initiatives.

Originally from Bradley County, Chris earned a B.A. in Political Science and Communications from Lipscomb University. He and his wife Sarah live in Nashville.