20+ years

Mr. Paris served as the U.S. Manager of State Government Affairs and Policy for General Electric Company ("GE"). Mr. Paris oversaw all aspects of GE's state government affairs function, including budgeting, contributions, political and business association memberships, retained political counsel and policy issue prioritization, during his seventeen-year career with GE.

Prior to joining GE, Mr. Paris was a fourteen-year employee of The Coca-Cola Company. During his tenure, he held various management roles in the public affairs arena, first overseeing state government relations for the U.S. As Manager of Shareowner Affairs, he managed relationships with all institutional shareowners concerning corporate governance, social responsibility policy and other proxy matters. Mr. Paris was also responsible for Issues Communications for government relations, environmental, science and regulatory, and technical functions of the Company as Manager of Global Communications. He also served as a primary media relations spokesman on select public affairs issues, providing communication support to senior management and external affairs managers worldwide.

Mr. Paris serves on the Board of Directors of the Georgia Chamber of Commerce, the Cobb Chamber of Commerce, Select Cobb, and the Advisory Board of the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce. He has recently served in a similar role with Florida, North Carolina and South Carolina Chambers and Manufacturing Associations.

Mr. Paris is a trustee of the University of Georgia Foundation, the Richard B. Russell Foundation, and the Carter Center Board of Councilors.

Education:
University of Georgia, MBA, Finance, 1985

University of Georgia, BA, Finance, 1984

11-15 years

Jim Sartucci, a government affairs counselor in K&L Gates' Washington, DC office, has over a decade of experience lobbying federal agencies (especially the U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Federal Maritime Commission, Maritime Administration, and National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration) and the Congress on behalf of a wide variety of clients. He has extensive experience working with clients in the maritime, transportation, fisheries, and liquefied natural gas (LNG) export industries.

Mr. Sartucci is recognized as one of a handful of maritime policy experts in Washington, DC and has been involved in the development and enactment of virtually all significant maritime legislation since 1994. He coordinated an industry coalition that led to enactment of reforms to Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund spending and is a key member of another industry coalition advocating for reforming the regulation of ballast water and discharges incidental to the normal operation from commercial vessels. He has successfully advocated on behalf of several individual clients on a wide variety of policy and legislative matters.

During his Congressional staff career, Mr. Sartucci played an integral role in enacting significant authorizing legislation for nearly every mode of transportation. This includes establishing and reauthorizing the Maritime Security Program, reforming ocean shipping regulation, enacting multiple Water Resources Reform and Development Acts, comprehensive surface transportation authorization bills, Federal Aviation Administration and NASA reauthorization bills, and enacting pipeline safety, Amtrak reauthorization, and rail infrastructure bills. He also helped negotiate and shepherd through the Congress legislation establishing the Department of Homeland Security, several Maritime Transportation Security Acts, natural disaster preparedness and response reform legislation, the establishment of offshore oil production revenue sharing with coastal states, and two reauthorizations of the Magnuson-Stevens Fisheries Conservation and Management Act.

Jeff Hamling joined Cornerstone in 2017, bringing a wealth of experience and relationships in Atlanta, Georgia. Jeff came to the firm after two years as a lobbyist in Dentons' Atlanta and Washington offices where he represented a number of corporate, governmental, and non-profit clients.

Prior to Dentons, Jeff worked at the Georgia Chamber of Commerce as vice president for state and federal affairs. Jeff joined the Chamber after serving then-Congressman Tom Price for over five years. Starting as a staff assistant, Jeff was quickly promoted to deputy chief of staff, overseeing the Atlanta office and various aspects of the federal legislative staff.

Jeff has also been recognized by prestigious organizations for professional accomplishments: profiled in Capitol Impact Magazine's People on the Move, "Rookie of the Year" award voted on by his peers in the Georgia lobbying community, and James Magazine's Georgia's Political Influencers in Washington, D.C.

20+ years

15-20 years

Mark Gaines Named to Alabama Today's 32 Powerful and Influential Alabamians to Know

"Mark Gaines has been around for decades, bringing a wealth of knowledge, decades-long relationships, and a positive attitude to the political arena in Alabama."


Southern Political Report - The South's Top Government Affairs Firms

"The law firm of Adams and Reese placed #1 in the states of Alabama, Louisiana and Tennessee and also ranked in the top five in Mississippi and South Carolina.

Adams and Reese has a long-standing reputation as one of the region's most prominent Government Relations firms now with 16 offices in 15 markets across the Southern United States and Washington, D.C."

Mark Gaines lobbies at the local, state and federal level - in Alabama and Washington, D.C. - advising corporate clients on regulatory, legislative and economic development matters. His clients include companies in the telecommunications, road and bridge construction, infrastructure, financial, pharmaceutical, health care, alcohol, and defense industries as well as municipal governments and educational institutions. Having spent 15 years in state government and more than a decade providing government relations services, Mark has developed long-term personal and professional relationships with important decision makers at every level of government. He is skilled at building political coalitions to achieve client objectives.

Prior to joining Adams and Reese, Mark served as Probate Judge for Jefferson County and was elected to four terms in the Alabama House of Representatives. During his time in the legislature, he served on various legislative committees and commissions and served as the Republican Leader of the House and Chair of the House Republican Caucus. Mark has managed, consulted or counseled dozens of political campaigns, grassroots efforts and ballot initiatives, including races for Governor, U.S. Senate, judicial offices, and state legislative seats.

Prior to joining the firm, Mark was in private law practice concentrating in the areas of real estate, probate, wills, trusts and business entities. He tried many jury and non-jury cases to verdict in courts throughout Alabama.

Professional Affiliations & Memberships:
Alabama House of Representatives, Member, 1990-2005
Jefferson County Criminal Justice Coordinating Committee, Vice Chair, 2004-2005
Jefferson County Coroner and Medical Examiner's Board, Member, 1998-2005
National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws, Commissioner, 1994-2005
Probate Judge of Jefferson County, 2005-2007

6-10 years

PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND
Massachusetts State Senate, Legislative Aide
Executive Office of Environmental Affairs, Legislative Director
Sullivan & McLaughlin Companies, Project Manager

EDUCATION
Middlebury College, B.A. 1992

Bernie Marczyk joined Cornerstone's Annapolis office in December 2018. Most recently, Bernie served as the director of government affairs for Anne Arundel County Executive Steve Schuh. In this role, he worked closely with the County Council and Maryland General Assembly to advance legislative initiatives and implement public policies for the County.

Prior to working for the County Executive, Bernie worked for Ducks Unlimited for seven years as a federal and state lobbyist and thenin managing the organization's conservation delivery in the Atlantic Region (Maryland to Maine). In this role he was responsible partnering with federal, state, and non-profit organizations on land acquisition and wetland restoration projects on private lands or public lands such as Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge.

Bernie began his professional career working for then-Congressman Bob Ehrlich first as a legislative assistant on Capitol Hill and then as a policy advisor for Governor Ehrlich in Annapolis where he oversaw the legislative and policy efforts of the Departments of Agriculture, Environment, Natural Resources, Planning, and Transportation. Bernie also worked on multiple statewide and local elections in Maryland.

A graduate of Princeton University, Bernie and his wife Keely live on Maryland's Eastern Shore with their nine-year-old daughter Leah, seven-year-old twins Claire and Tommy, and three-year-old daughter Stella. Bernie is an active volunteer at St. Christopher's Catholic Church and as a basketball, soccer, and softball coach.

0-5 years

With a long track record of facilitating connections, Davis Gaddy provides his bridge-building skills to clients. While at the Chamber of Commerce, Davis conducted and oversaw fly-in briefings between state and local chambers and U.S. Chamber policy experts to discuss regional and national legislative and political initiatives. In addition, he managed the outreach system that built coalitions and broad-based support to advance the Chamber's legislative agenda. Davis now uses these alliance-forming talents to advance clients' interests.

Recognizing that communications strategies are essential to organizations' success, Davis draws on his experience in grassroots outreach, issue advocacy, policy research and economic analysis to help our clients deliver their messages with clarity and tactical effectiveness.

11-15 years

Cliff Rothenstein has more than 30 years of congressional and federal executive experience. Prior to joining K&L Gates, he served as Director of Legislative Affairs for the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). In this capacity, Mr. Rothenstein worked on a daily basis with the FHWA Administrator, Deputy Administrator, and Deputy Secretary of the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT). During Mr. Rothenstein's tenure at FHWA, he led the development and advocacy efforts on legislation to reauthorize the nation's surface transportation law where he played a significant role in developing and recommending to the FHWA Administrator and to other DOT executives proposed changes to the law to streamline project delivery and expand investments in highways, bridges, and multimodal transportation projects. Mr. Rothenstein also coordinated FHWA's discretionary grant programs that fund highway and bridge improvement projects and managed FHWA's relationships with Congress on highway-specific projects and issues. In addition to his tenure at FHWA, Mr. Rothenstein served as a senior advisor on the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee which has jurisdiction over environment and surface transportation issues. He led the Committees efforts on the reauthorization of Superfund, the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, and the Clean Water and Safe Drinking Water Acts. Mr. Rothenstein also served for 20 years at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), including as the Deputy Assistant Administrator and Director of the Office of Underground Storage Tanks. He has represented clients at the intersection of environmental, energy, transportation, and infrastructure policy and regulation, including advising clients on Superfund, the Clean and Safe Drinking Water Acts, the Water Resources Development Act, and the Clean Air and Resource Conservation and Recovery Acts; National Environmental Policy Act strategies for major transportation and energy infrastructure projects; funding opportunities including TIGER grant funding; and issues related to tolling of interstates.

20+ years

Led the passage of legislation to provide for Ready to Go Drinks in grocery stores, convenience stores and restaurant licensees.

Secured funding for the 15 Community Colleges including passage of the State Board of Higher Education.

Led the passage of legislation to provide for the addition of the federal judiciary in the Pennsylvania Protective Class Law.

Worked to advance client's legislative goals in the reauthorization of the Commonwealth's One Call System.

C&G Strategies has focused its practice on working both sides of the aisle. We have relationships in all four Caucus Leadership Teams

Co-Founder/Chief Financial Officer

With over two decades of executive experience, Rob's career has placed him at the highest level of local and state government. As a public affairs professional, he has shaped public policy and legislation for clients in non-profit organizations, for-profit companies, trade associations, unions, and more. Rob provides individualized services that support clients' specific needs and has successfully represented clients in a variety of sectors. Whether navigating state or local government, facilitating introductions with decision makers, working with stakeholders, or developing and executing strategies, he is focused on allowing each individual client to meet their goals.

0-5 years

Named 2024 #1 Top Rising Star Lobbyist by James Magazine.

4 years managing legislative affairs and media relations for Georgia Insurance Commissioner John F. King. 2 years working in legislative affairs for former Georgia State School Superintendent John Barge.

With over a decade in government affairs, communications, public relations, and political consulting, Weston Burleson brings a wide range of experience to best help the firm's clients reach their goals. Mr. Burleson has been involved in seven Georgia legislative sessions across two different state agencies. He has a detailed knowledge of the legislative process and strong relationships with leaders in both chambers. Prior to joining Freeman Mathis Decisions, Mr. Burleson most recently served as Director of Communications and Legislative Affairs for Georgia Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner John F. King's office. In that role, he oversaw the agency's legislative agenda, including work on significant tort reform legislation, and managed all external facing communications and media relations. Mr. Burleson previously worked for a Nashville, Tennessee-based public relations firm where he was involved in state and federal legislative efforts. Additionally, he spent several years working for North Carolina House Leadership, both in an official capacity and on the campaign side.

20+ years

Capitol Strategy Group has been listed as one of the top 5 small government affairs firms by James Magazine.

Travis Lindley is a founding partner of Capitol Strategy Group with a history of success that has earned him recognition as a respected healthcare government affairs consultant and grassroots/grass-tops advisor in Georgia. Lindley offers insider expertise by way of an extensive background in the areas of government affairs, public affairs, political action committee fundraising and management, executive services and association management, and grassroots/grass-tops advocacy projects.

Lindley has proven himself an instrumental advocate on behalf of healthcare professionals and organizations through his achievements regarding patient choice and safety, scope of practice, insurance reform, regulatory issues, and matters concerning budget and appropriations. The firm is proud to represent top organizations and healthcare leaders in the patient and physician arenas in Georgia.

Lindley also works with a number of Georgia political action committees in raising funds and managing the physician PACs; among them are the Georgia Medical PAC, Georgia Medical Eye PAC, Ambulatory Surgery Center-Georgia PAC, Georgia Psychiatry PAC, and Georgia Emergency Medicine PAC.

Lindley has managed grassroots campaigns in Georgia, Alabama, and Texas, impacting issues and legislation at the state and federal levels. Lindley has successfully executed regional components of a national public affairs campaign plan that included Texas, Georgia, North Carolina, Mississippi, and Tennessee. Lindley has also led and executed legislative grassroots public affairs campaigns pushing patient prescription drug safety legislation into law.

Lindley and the clients he represents were heavily involved in the four-year legislative process around Certificate of Need reform in Georgia, which began during the 2005 Georgia legislative session and culminated during the landmark 2008 legislative session. From the beginning, Lindley helped pull like-minded stakeholders together to form a working coalition to achieve legislative reform. In 2008, Lindley began working with a group practice of radiation and medical oncologists in South Georgia as part of their government affairs team; he also helped them establish a non-profit foundation.

During the 2015 legislative session, Georgia joined a growing number of states to pass legislation allowing for biosimilar drugs and treatments. Lindley was the grassroots coalition coordinator for a coalition consisting of patient advocacy groups, physician groups, manufactures, and key stakeholders. The legislation, which passed with overwhelming support and became law in July 2015, ensured that Georgia's biosimilars law is among the strongest in terms of patient safety and patient/physician communication. In recent years, Lindley has worked toward the successful passage of legislation allowing biosimilars, step therapy reform, bariatric surgery, testing and treatment for Hepatitis C, access to HIV/AIDS drugs and care, and other innovative patient care legislation.

Lindley serves as the executive director to the Georgia Society of Ophthalmology (GSO) and the Georgia Psychiatric Physicians Association (GPPA). Under his leadership, the associations have led their respective medical specialties in meaningful legislative changes on patient safety, insurance reform and access. Georgia was the first in the nation to pass several laws ensuring access to medication and testing.

After achieving the Eagle Scout rank and obtaining a degree in Communications with a minor in Political Science from the University of West Georgia, Lindley began his career working for several Georgia Members of Congress. Subsequently, Lindley worked on Senator Saxby Chambliss' historic United States Senate campaign, and played a lead role in Congressman Tom Price's hotly contested 6th District runoff.

Lindley resides in Smyrna and enjoys traveling, landscape photography, and spending time with his dachshunds, Zeus and Maggie. He is also an avid collector of political memorabilia and over the years has amassed an impressive collection. Lindley serves in several leadership roles in his community and his church.

Jim has extensive experience helping businesses and trade associations achieve their strategic objectives. Prior to joining Jones Walker, Jim was president and CEO of the Offshore Marine Service Association (OMSA), representing the owners and operators of US-flagged vessels that supply, support, and construct the subsea infrastructure necessary for offshore energy development. Under his leadership, the trade association confronted the challenges posed by the moratorium on drilling activity imposed following the Deepwater Horizon disaster.

Before his tenure at OMSA, Jim was vice president of government affairs for American Commercial Lines, Inc. (ACL), where he advanced ACL's legislative and regulatory affairs programs to improve the nation's waterways transportation infrastructure. He also worked to implement positive changes on inland waterway tax policy and the US Coast Guard's regulation of the inland barge industry.

Jim also has experience in railroads and highway infrastructure development. As resident vice president for CSX Transportation, he represented CSX in government and community forums in Kentucky. In the public sector, Jim served in senior leadership positions in Kentucky's Transportation Cabinet and Kentucky's Department of Public Protection.

Jim began his career as a commissioned Coast Guard officer. At sea, he served as a deck watch officer and department head with responsibilities for vessel operations, navigation, and maritime law enforcement. Later he was named congressional fellow to the Coast Guard and Navigation Subcommittee in the House of Representatives. Following his Coast Guard service, Jim joined the subcommittee's professional staff, advancing legislation supporting the US Coast Guard and improving the safety and efficiency of regulatory programs affecting the offshore maritime industry, fishing industry, and inland barge industry.

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.

20+ years

Kevin E. Cunningham is a partner with Southern Strategy Group-Louisiana one of the preeminent Governmental Relations firms operating in the state.

He joined the firm 2009 and represents a varied client base before the legislature, federal and state agencies, local government etc. Having developed an expertise in property and casualty insurance law, Kevin was recently selected by the State Commissioner of Insurance to serve on the High Auto Insurance Rates Task Force, which is developing legislative and regulatory solutions to combat this growing problem. In addition, he serves as an active member of the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry's Civil Justice Reform Advisory Council, to which he is also a past Chairman.

Prior to joining SSG, Kevin was a partner with Roedel Parsons Koch Blache Balhoff & McCollister, where he served on the firm's Executive Management Committee. From 1996 to 2001 he served as Deputy Chief of Staff for Governor Mike Foster, where he oversaw the $14 million dollar Urban and Rural Grant Program. In addition to other duties, he also chaired both the Transportation Infrastructure Model for Economic Development (TIMED) Task Force, which resulted in much needed infrastructure development and the Louisiana Task Force for the Reduction of Automobile Insurance Rates, which brought about significant insurance rate and civil justice reforms.

An avid tennis player, Kevin is the past President of the Greater Baton Rouge Community Tennis Association, where he oversaw the return of a challenger series tennis tournament to the City and a resumption of a grade school -- Introduction to Tennis -- program. During his tenure he also increased participation in the world-class Cajun Classic Wheelchair Tennis Tournament, which attracts top professional and amateur wheelchair players from throughout the world. Recently he was asked to serve on the Board of Directors for Metro YMCA. Other past civic involvement includes the Council for Judicial Excellence and a member of Kiwanis International.

The son of retired army officer and an educator who also served as an administrator with the State Department of Education, Kevin was born in Wurzburg Germany and graduated high school in Seoul Korea. He received his Juris Doctorate from Southern University Law Center in 1985, where he was a member of the Southern University Moot Court Board (1984-1985) and Law Review candidate. While at Southern he was honored with the American Jurisprudence 2nd Award for Outstanding Achievement in the field of Corporations. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Management Information Systems from Old Dominion University in Norfolk VA, in 1982. Kevin is married to Helena R. Cunningham, also an attorney, CPA and affordable housing developer. They have two children, Kevin Jr., an attorney working in Baton Rouge and Sydne, a second-year law student at Tulane University School of Law in New Orleans

Mark Yates joined Cornerstone in July 2021 as a principal in the firm's Oklahoma City office. His experience in public policy includes working with various industries through statewide campaigns, legislative engagement, media relations, and public speaking. Mark has been successful navigating complex and challenging initiatives on behalf of the clean energy and agriculture industries.

Mark previously served as vice president at Advanced Power Alliance (APA) where he represented leading domestic and international companies in the renewable energy sector. While in this role, he managed the association's regional public policy strategy, communications strategy, and membership recruitment efforts. Mark served a major role in shaping legislative and regulatory policy within the most important energy region in the country.

Prior to APA, Mark worked at the Oklahoma Farm Bureau, where he led membership recruitment initiatives, mobilized a statewide grassroots campaign, and lobbied for rural issues on behalf of the nearly 90,000 farmers and ranchers.

Before his time with the Farm Bureau, Mark was a professional educator in the Oklahoma public school system for 11 years. Along with his teaching experience, Mark also had administrative experience serving as a federal programs director for Plainview Public Schools in Ardmore, OK.

Mark is a graduate of East Central University in Ada, OK and holds a bachelor's degree in History and master's in Secondary Administration. Mark and his wife Stacy reside in Edmond, OK where they are active in their community and have two children, Londyn and Steele.

20+ years

Previously, Kevin served as the Director of Government Relations for the Michigan Chamber of Commerce -- one of Michigan's premier trade associations. As Vice President for the Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce, Kevin advised business leaders from some of Michigan's largest companies, philanthropic community and non-profit associations.

Honored to serve State Representative Ken Sikkema (R - Grand Rapids) and U.S. Senate campaign of the Honorable Spencer Abraham, Kevin has deep roots in the legislative and political process.

A native of Ironwood, Michigan. Kevin graduated with honors from Michigan State University with a Masters Degree in Labor & Industrial Relations and received a BS in Political Science degree from Western Michigan University.

6-10 years

I have been recognized by the Nashville Post list of In-Charge: Government & Politics for 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022

Our firm was recognized nationally by the Public Relations Society of America for our comprehensive public affairs campaign to bring Major League Soccer to Nashville

Mark Cate is the Founder and President of Stones River Group, a Nashville-based public affairs firm serving both Tennessee, regional and national clients. He formerly served as Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam's chief of staff, where he was his top advisor, strategist and negotiator.

During his tenure with the Haslam Administration, Mark led several legislative policy initiatives, including K-12 education reform, workers' compensation reform, civil service reform, an alternative approach to Medicaid expansion, and postsecondary education reform, including the nationally-acclaimed Tennessee Promise program.

Prior to serving in state government, Mark successfully managed Governor Haslam's first gubernatorial campaign in 2010, which led to a record-setting general election victory. He previously worked as an executive in real estate management and development and served for 16 years as a higher education leader. Over the course of his career, Mark has served as a chief development officer, chief planning officer, chief marketing officer, and as a chief financial officer�working on budgets ranging from $10 million to $30 billion.

Mark grew up in Maryville, TN and currently lives in Brentwood with his wife Cathy who serves as the Executive Director of Leadership Tennessee. He and Cathy have two daughters, Bailey who is a recent graduate at Rhodes College and currently serves as a fellow at the Crop Trust in Bonn, Germany; and Abbie who is rising junior at George Washington University.

Cate received a B.S from Carson-Newman College, an M.S from the University of Tennessee, and Harvard University's Institute for Educational Management certificate program. He's served on a wide variety of non-profit boards and was an elected member of the Maryville Board of Education.

6-10 years

Mr. Cuzzi launched Prospect Hill Strategies in 2012. Today, David brings over two decades of experience to benefit some of New Hampshire's largest and smallest companies. The results achieved in both New Hampshire and Washington, DC for a diverse client roster demonstrate the Firm's ability to provide full service public affairs and government relations solutions to organizations with varying needs across a range of industries.

David previously worked for BAE Systems' Electronic Systems sector and its legacy businesses in Nashua, NH, in the roles of Manager, Business Development and Director, Government Relations. As a Business Development Manager, he led the strategy, resource planning, and execution of efforts to maintain core business and capture new business for a product line with annual sales of $240 million, including one of the company's most important programs. As Government Relations Director, David was responsible for advocacy at the federal, state and local levels for the Nashua, NH-based sector, which then employed 9,000 people at 16 sites across 7 states, with annual sales of $3.5 billion.

Prior to joining BAE Systems, David served as a top aide to then-U.S. Senator John E. Sununu (R-NH) on Capitol Hill, advising the Senator on National Security, Judiciary, Law Enforcement, and Veterans' matters, and all issues pertinent to the Senator's service on the Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee. Mr. Cuzzi played a critical role in reversing the Department of Defense's recommendation to close the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in the 2005, and was a key negotiator in the drafting and passage of legislation reauthorizing the USA PATRIOT ACT in 2006 and 2007, and reforming the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States in 2007.

Mr. Cuzzi also served in New Hampshire and Washington, DC as an aide for two members of the U.S. House of Representatives, handling a wide portfolio of issues, including all committee work for a member of the Appropriations Committee. His other career assignments include posts with Podesta Associates in Washington, DC, Putnam Investments in Andover, MA, Bob Dole's 1996 New Hampshire Presidential Primary campaign, and the National Restaurant Association in Washington, DC.

David was born and raised in Waltham, MA. He is a graduate of St. Anselm College, and lives in Bedford, NH with his wife, Christina, and their twin boys. An avid sports fan and golfer, Mr. Cuzzi is active in business and civic organizations. He is honored to serve on the following Boards of Directors: Elliot Health System, McAuliffe-Sheppard Discovery Center, NH Scholars, NH Research and Industry Council, Rivier University President's Circle, and the New Hampshire Advisory Committee of the U.S. Global Leadership Council. David is Chair of the New Hampshire State Society's annual Educational Opportunity Fund golf tournament, and was an appointed member of the of the NH Telecommunications Planning and Development Advisory Committee, and Board Vice-Chair of the Manchester Community Health Center.

11-15 years

Mr. Ambrosino joined 1868 Public Affairs after serving as Governor Christine Todd Whitman's Senior Deputy Director of Communications, spearheading theme and message development in the Governor's Office. His work helped advance the Whitman administration's agenda in a variety of areas, including health care, education, senior and veterans issues, and the environment and highlighted Whitman's accomplishments by meshing strategic communications efforts like direct mail, electronic advertising and earned media with important administration policy initiatives.
Over the past two decades, Mr. Ambrosino has served in various campaigns at the national, state and county level in a wide variety of roles. In 2010 he was a Co-Chairman of Congressman Jon Runyan's successful congressional race and in 2009 he served as Camden County Campaign Coordinator in Governor Chris Christie's successful campaign. In 2008, Mr. Ambrosino was named New Jersey's Delegation Aide to the Republican National Convention by the McCain for President campaign and served as the campaign's Camden County Field Coordinator.

In 2004, Mr. Ambrosino served as Southern New Jersey Campaign Coordinator for the Bush-Cheney re-election campaign, developing and implementing the campaign's grassroots strategy in an eight-county region. Ultimately, President Bush improved his performance in Ambrosino's region over the 2000 election by more than 14 percentage points, the largest such regional improvement in the nation.

From late 1997 to early 1999, Mr. Ambrosino served as Director of Business & External Affairs for the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). Charged with developing a pro-active business and governmental outreach program, he gained invaluable knowledge of the department's regulatory system and its effect on New Jersey's economy.

In 1997 Mr. Ambrosino served as Deputy Campaign Manager on Governor Whitman's successful re-election campaign, managing the campaign's daily operations. For two years prior, he served as Political Director at the New Jersey Republican State Committee and Executive Director of the New Jersey Victory 96 program.

Mr. Ambrosino also serves as a Commissioner of Elections in Camden County, a post to which he was first appointed by former Governor Jon Corzine in 2006. He has been re-appointed by Governor Chris Christie.

A graduate of Temple University with a degree in Journalism, Mr. Ambrosino and his wife Mindy reside in Cherry Hill with their sons, Cory and Luke.

20+ years

By any yardstick, Aaron Read and Associates is recognized as one of the premier lobbying firms in Sacramento. Whether it's based on annual billings or word of mouth referrals, ARA is at the top of the list. In addition, ARA has been listed as one of the top-ranked lobby firms in Capitol Weekly, a well-known publication, since they started their rankings 10 years ago.

Aaron Read and Associates' (ARA) services run the gamut of all types and aspects of Governmental Representation including the Administration, the Legislature and each of its committees, and regulatory agencies. In addition, ARA provides consulting on government procurement issues. Our sister company, Marketplace Communications, provides a full range of public affairs services including social media, campaigns, video and audio productions, and strategy to achieve your goals. Marketplace Communications has won numerous Pollie Awards from the American Association of Political Consultants.

Terry has worked at Aaron Read & Associates for more than two decades. Prior to joining ARA, he served as the Director of the California Fire Foundation and Consultant to the California Assembly Committee on Fire, Police and Emergency Services. In 2009, he was awarded the Director's Achievement Award on behalf of CAL FIRE. He led the successful campaign to develop the CAL FIRE brand.

Terry McHale was the press liaison for the California Assembly Committee on Police, Fire and Disaster. There, he handled crisis management in the MTBE campaign, and has expertise in public policy and strategic communications. Terry is currently an officer at Aaron Read & Associates as well as Marketplace Communications. He also serves as the editor of California Conversations Magazine. He has interviewed and written stories about such interesting Californians as Clint Eastwood, Kareem Abdul Jabbar, Harrison Ford, Gary Condit, Governor Pete Wilson and Governor Gray Davis. Terence graduated from UCLA. He lives his family in Elk Grove.

ARA is unique. We represent numerous firefighters, law enforcement and labor groups, as well as fortune 500 companies, corporations and large trade associations. As a result of our diverse client base, we build relationships with Democratic and Republican lawmakers during their campaigns, long before they are elected to office.

Helped lead $1.7B agency including management, budget, technology, procurement and legislative affairs at MBTA

Led multiple technology upgrades at MBTA that resulted in a significant leap forward innovation at the agency, also became very proficient in state procurement processes and rules

Helped develop and coordinate strategy to consolidate functions of six transportation departments as Legislative Director at MassDOT

Routinely worked with staff and vendors on hundreds of millions of dollars in road and bridge projects annually

Responsible for writing and tracking all legislation and budget matters for Asst. Minority Leader

Policy Advisor at Preti Strategies

Chief of Staff, Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority

Legislative Director, MassDOT

Chief of Staff, Massachusetts Highway Department

Chief of Staff and Legislative Director, Assistant Minority Leader, Massachusetts Senate


Education:

University of Massachusetts

20+ years

RWL successfully worked with the Legislature and the Public Service Commission to gain approval for the largest-to-date offshore wind project in the United States.

Lead lobbyist in gaining necessary approvals for Dominion's LNG export facility in Calvert County

Represented as co-lead lobbyist for Washington Redskins in their successful move to Prince George's County

Co-lead lobbyist on successful effort for first Maryland P3 project, (Baltimore Seagirt Marine Terminal facility)

Recipient of Maryland Government Relations Association's Outstanding Colleague Award (2019)

Appointed by Governor Glendening to Celebration 2000, and was the Governor's appointee to the Commission on Lobbyists Ethics

Chief of Staff, Parris N. Glendening, County Executive of Prince George's County, Maryland (1988-1990)

People's Zoning Counsel for Prince George's County, Maryland (1985-1988)

Attorney to the Prince George's County Personnel Board (1982-1985)

First Vice Chair, Prince George's County Democratic Central Committee (1986)

Maryland state joint task force on lobbying ethics (1994)

Transition Committee of Attorney General Brian Frosh (2012)

Vice Chair, Anne Arundel County Development Corporation Board of Directors (appointed by Anne Arundel County Executive Steve Schuh and reappointed by County Executive Steuart Pittman (2016-Present)

Joel D. Rozner rejoined the firm as a Partner in 1998. Previously a partner in the firm from 1991 to 1994, Mr. Rozner focuses his expertise on government relations in Annapolis and Prince George's County and is the former chair of the firm's extensive Government Relations and Lobbying practice.

Mr. Rozner was elected three times to the Prince George's Democratic Central Committee. He served seven years as People's Zoning Counsel for Prince George's County and also as Chief of Staff for then County Executive Parris N. Glendening who was later elected Governor. Mr. Rozner was the Governor's appointee to the Commission on Lobbyist Ethics.

In his practice, Mr. Rozner has represented a wide range of clients including the Washington Redskins in their successful move to Prince George's County and also was the lead lobbyist in gaining necessary approvals for Dominion's LNG export facility in Southern Maryland, which to date is the state's largest capital project. Having participated in and managed numerous political campaigns, he is also primarily responsible for development of the firm's legislative strategy.

Emanuel ("Manny") Rouvelas engages in a wide-ranging law and lobby practice representing leading companies and trade associations in transportation, telecommunications, high technology, hospitality, and manufacturing. For four decades, he has traveled globally to more than forty countries advising clients and working with U.S. administrations, Congresses, and American and foreign embassies and governments.

He is a founding member of both the public policy and maritime law practices of K&L Gates, each consistently ranked nationally as among the best, most effective and highly regarded in the United States. Mr. Rouvelas is personally ranked as one of the country's top lawyers in both maritime law and in government affairs by Best Lawyers in America, Super Lawyers, and Legal 500. In addition, in its 30th year anniversary edition, Legal Times newspaper recognized him as "one of the greatest Washington lawyers of the past 30 years," a "legal visionary," who helped turn Washington, D.C.'s legal and lobbying community into an international powerhouse. From 2005 - 2018 he has been named a "Top Lobbyist" by The Hill newspaper based on surveys of members of Congress and staff. In 2019 Chambers USA ranked him in the top band of three lawyers nationally in Government Relations and in the top band of five lawyers in Transportation: Shipping/Maritime: Regulatory.

Prior to joining K&L Gates, he was counsel to the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce and chief counsel to its Merchant Marine and Foreign Commerce Subcommittees where he had lead staff responsibility for the enactment of thirty-two public laws. Included was major legislation relating to vessel construction and operation, oil spill prevention, vessel traffic systems, recreational boat safety, Coast Guard, and Maritime Administration programs.

Mr. Rouvelas has served as an advisor to two U.S. presidential transitions, a bipartisan Congressional caucus, an executive branch reorganization, several senators and congressmen, and many political campaigns In 2016 he served on the Bipartisan Policy Center's working group, "Selecting a Vice President: Balancing Politics and Prudence." An honors graduate of the University of Washington, Harvard Law School, and participant in the Advanced Management Program at Harvard Business School and the Program on Corporate Governance for Directors at Stanford Business School, Mr. Rouvelas has long been committed to the importance of strong ethical governance in both the public and private sectors. He has taught, lectured, and counseled clients on governance issues. He has twenty years of experience serving on the boards of directors of three U.S. publicly traded companies and thirty years of service on the boards of directors of nonprofit charitable organizations, including the American Architectural Foundation, Greater Washington Board of Trade, National Hellenic Society, Smithsonian National Zoological Park and Conservation Biology Institute, and Washington Monthly magazine. He is a lifetime trustee, former vice-chair of the board, and visiting professor at the American College of Greece in Athens.

His numerous professional, industry, and public service awards include the American Hellenic Institute's Heritage and National Public Service Award, United Seamen's Service Admiral of the Ocean Sea Award, and the Association of Government Relations Professionals (AGRP) Career Achievement Award.

6-10 years

Her efforts won many accolades from customers, regulators and legislators. She proved instrumental in the passage of legislation that ensured water quality and quantity and water system sustainability for decades.

Specifically, she played a critical role in the passage of Act 11 and Act 12, which pertained to water and wastewater system financing; and Act 154, that defines combined sewer overflow (CSO) system assets as sewer assets and thus regulated by the public utility commission. She spearheaded American Water's strategic response to shale gas development, collaborating with shale gas drillers and municipal officials to protect the environment and enhance the local economy by extending water into rural areas using a combination of public and private funding.

Kathy was among 30 task force members from across Pennsylvania selected by Governor Tom Wolf to address the estimated $20 billion funding shortfall needed to upgrade Pennsylvania's aging water infrastructure. She has also served on the Sustainable Water Infrastructure Task Force, selected by Gov. Ed Rendell.

As CEO of Pennsylvania American Water, part of Kathy's responsibilities included building relationships and partnering with legislators, County Commissioners, municipal officials representing the water company's service area in 36 counties and 400 municipalities.

Kathy is a licensed attorney in NJ and PA and started her career at the Office of Consumer Advocate, Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission and as a utility attorney at General Waterworks. She also served as corporate counsel and manager of finance for American Water and as vice president, treasurer and rate counsel for Philadelphia Suburban Water. During her tenure at Philadelphia Suburban Water, the company grew from a five-county suburban Philadelphia water company to the second largest publicly-traded U.S. water and wastewater service provider.

In 2007, she was tapped to lead American Water's largest subsidiary, Pennsylvania American Water. As the president of Pennsylvania American Water, she used her legal, financial, business and governmental experience to balance customer service, reasonable rates, infrastructure replacement and community engagement. Kathy later led American Water's mid-Atlantic region which included Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Virginia and Maryland before she entered entering private practice.

Kathy currently serves on the board of directors for Highmark Health and has chaired the Pennsylvania Business Counsel, the Foundation for Enhancing Communities and the Pennsylvania Chapter of the National Association of Water Companies. She is also an active member of the boards of the Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (Western and Central PA Chapter), the Earth Conservancy and the Hampden Township Industrial Development Authority.

Kathy is a nationally known speaker on leadership, utility finance, infrastructure and water and wastewater operations. She is also an expert witness on utility finance, tax and infrastructure issues and has testified before state and federal legislative committees.

Ronnie L. Johnson is Of Counsel to the firm. Prior to joining the firm, he served as Deputy Commissioner of Insurance, Office of Property and Casualty, for Louisiana. He also represented the Commissioner of Insurance as Chairman of the Louisiana Insurance Rating Commission, liaison to the Louisiana Insurance Guaranty Association, liaison to the Louisiana Life and Health Guaranty Association, member of the NAIC Surplus Lines Task Force, member of the NAIC International Insurers Department Plan of Operation Review Group, served as Chairman of the Louisiana Property Insurance Task Force, and was appointed to the Board of Directors of the Property Insurance Association of Louisiana.

Ronnie L. Johnson maintains an insurance regulatory, governmental relations, health care and general litigation practice which involves representing businesses that have issues with government or wish to transact business with government. Mr. Johnson's insurance regulatory practice spans all fifty states and the District of Columbia. He represents insurance companies with licensing, market conduct, solvency and reinsurance matters and represents insurance producers in licensing and market conduct matters.

Mr. Johnson previously served as Deputy Commissioner of Insurance, Office of Property and Casualty, for Louisiana. He also represented the Commissioner of Insurance as Chairman of the Louisiana Insurance Rating Commission, liaison to the Louisiana Insurance Guaranty Association, liaison to the Louisiana Life and Health Insurance Guaranty Association, member of the NAIC Surplus Lines Task Force, member of the NAIC International Insurers Department Plan of Operation Review Group, served as Chairman of the Louisiana Property Insurance Task force, and was appointed to the Board of Directors of the Property Insurance Association of Louisiana.

20+ years

Volunteered time and skills for numerous community efforts and has successfully chaired the capital campaigns of several major community nonprofit projects. Earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Economics from Loyola University, Maryland, served as an Adjunct Professor in Political Science and Government, where he was later recognized for his achievements by receiving the Loyola College Alumni Laureate Award. During his sixteen-year public service career, he was selected as the Most Valuable Public Official in America. Served as Board of Directors Chair for Towson University and MedStar Health-Franklin Square Medical Center.

The Rasmussen Group possesses an abundance of close relationships and connections with key decision makers and legislators in the State of Maryland and its political subdivisions. These interpersonal relationships include but are not limited to all three Branches of State government: Executive, Legislative and Judicial. The firm seeks to influence, persuade, and promote the issues, interests, and positions of its clients in an ethical manner to achieve and resolve important business issues. The firm has almost immediate access to Maryland's constitutional officers, cabinet members, legislative Committee chairs and legislative members, and County Executives/Commissioners and Mayors. The firm is capable of implementing and coordinating lobbying activities in multiple States (currently 14 East Coast States).

Senator Rasmussen possesses a wealth of experience, both in elected and appointed offices of State and local government, and private sector experience in the fields of government relations, business development, association management, banking/financial services, public relations and marketing services, as well as the directorships on various boards of major corporate entities, educational institutions and community nonprofits. Senator Rasmussen, as an entrepreneur, has successfully developed and operated several businesses in the fields of information software technology, computer systems, alternative energy, and real estate development. The Rasmussen firm represents the interests of major and regional corporations, professional trade Alliances and business groups, and provides a comprehensive scope of services to all legislative and executive branches of government at the Federal, State and Local/Municipal levels.

0-5 years

2022- Top Rising Star Accolade from James Magazine

Holli Gibbs is a consultant of the Government Relations Practice of Freeman Mathis Decisions. A strategic planner with strong communication skills, Ms. Gibbs understands how to strategically analyze and present critical information for clients looking for a rapid response.

Ms. Gibbs has extensive knowledge of the legislative process and strong working relationships with legislative leaders. She has experience crafting legislative and policy matters, communicating the needs of her clients, working with clients to identify problems and come up with solutions, and responding to crisis.

Prior to joining Freeman Mathis Decisions, Ms. Gibbs served as the Director of Constituent Services for the Office of Speaker David Ralston in the Georgia House of Representatives. In this role, she gained first-hand experience serving as a liaison between local, state and federal agencies and local officials to ensure the needs of local communities were being served.

Ms. Gibbs has also served as Deputy Messenger, House Rural Development Council Coordinator and House Social Media and Photography Coordinator. Additionally, she served on the Committee to Develop and Implement Covid-19 Protocols and the Legislative Biennial Planning Committee.

Prior to joining JohnsonPossKirby in 2017, Luke served Capitol Hill in the Tennessee General Assembly, the Department of Finance and Administration, and the Office of Governor Bill Haslam.

Luke began working in politics in 2009 for Representative Pat Marsh and then joined Governor Haslam's office in February of 2011. During his tenure there, Luke helped shepherd the Governor's signature legislation through the legislative process. These initiatives include teacher tenure reform, tort reform, the TEAM Act, the Prescription Safety Act, and TN Promise to name a few. In 2015, Luke left the Governor's office to join Commissioner Larry Martin and the Department of Finance and Administration.In his role as Legislative Liaison, Luke was responsible for communicating with the legislature on behalf of Commissioner Martin and the divisions within the department. Luke worked with the Commissioner, Strategy Technology Solutions (STS), Benefits Administration, and the Division of Budget to achieve the department's goals and facilitate a strong working relationship between the department and General Assembly.

In addition to his work with the F&A divisions, Luke played a role in preparing the Governor's Budget and advocating for its approval in the General Assembly. These budgets included the largest tax cut in state history, two debt free budgets, and significant investments in recruiting jobs.Luke and his wife, Katie, live in Franklin with their two daughters, Ryall and Mackie.

20+ years

Successfully advocated for and secured state budget funding to support literacy programs for early intervention education.

Routinely lobbied before the Tennessee General Assembly, facilitating client interactions with relevant state agencies.

Served as the director of legislation for the Bureau of TennCare during a pivotal period of reform, where TennCare provided healthcare to approximately 1.5 million Tennessee residents.

Successfully lobbied for the enactment of the Hospital Assessment Fee, which secured an additional billion dollars in funding for Tennessee healthcare programs.

Before founding the H. Lee Group, Holly served as a government affairs advisor at Adams & Reese law firm in Nashville, Tennessee. In this role, she specialized in navigating the intricacies of state legislation, working closely with state legislators, key members of the executive branch, state agencies, and other public policymakers to effectively advocate for and advance her clients' interests.

Holly's extensive lobbying experience spans multiple industries, including healthcare, telecommunications, fuel supply distribution, liquor laws, and education. She is known for her ability to demystify the legislative process, breaking it down into clear, actionable strategies that empower her clients to engage confidently in their advocacy efforts.

Holly is an active member of the Tennessee Lobbyists Association and a member of the National League of Women Lobbyists. She serves on the Keep Tennessee Beautiful Advisory Council, as well as TeamChad, a patient assistance program for individuals diagnosed with leukemia.

11-15 years

20+ years

Jeff Denham is a government affairs counselor in the firm's Washington, D.C. office. A member of the public policy and law practice group, he brings significant transportation and infrastructure policy, agriculture, natural resources, and energy experience to the firm.

He was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives where he served four terms, from 2010 to 2018, representing California's 10th and formerly 19th districts. He was a member of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, where he was the chairman of the Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials and the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings and Emergency Management. He was also a member of the Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Veterans' Affairs Committees. During his eight years in Congress, Mr. Denham helped draft dozens of bills that were subsequently signed into law, such as the 2012 Veterans Skills to Jobs Act; the 2015 Fixing America's Surface Transportation (FAST) Act; the 2018 ENLIST Act; and Stafford Act revisions as a part of the 2013 Sandy Recovery Improvement Act.

From 2001 to 2009, before his election to the U.S. House of Representatives, he was a member of the California State Senate, representing the 12th District of California which encompassed the counties of Monterey, San Benito, Madera, Merced, and Stanislaus. He was chairman of the Agriculture Committee and Veterans' Affairs Committee and focused on issues that included education, government waste, agriculture, and economic development.

A Staff Sergeant in the United States Air Force, he served in Operation Desert Storm with the 452nd Air Force Refueling Wing and was awarded a Meritorious Service Medal, the Kuwait Liberation Medal, and various campaign medals for combat duty. Additionally, he served in Operation Restore Hope with the 349th AMW and was awarded a second Meritorious Service Medal and various campaign medals for duty.

Mr. Denham is the Founder of Denham Plastics LLC, a full-service provider of plastic material handling solutions, in addition to owning an almond farm in California.

6-10 years

LaDarion Ammons is a Jackson, MS native. After graduating from Mississippi State University, where he received a bachelor's degree in Political Science, LaDarion returned home to help run his family businesses.

During the 2014 Legislative Session, LaDarion served as a Policy Assistant for the Mississippi Speaker of the House. Shortly thereafter, Ammons attended the Mississippi College School of Law. After graduating in 2017, he began his career in Governmental Relations and Lobbying.

In addition to his career, LaDarion is very active in his community. He serves as a Board Member on the City of Jackson Planning Board, The Refill Jackson Initiative, and is a proud member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. In 2014, he became the co-founder and CEO of the non-profit mentoring program, Brothers of Mississippi, Inc., with the vision to "Empower the youth through education, service, and leadership." LaDarion also is an Adjunct Professor at Millsaps College, where he teaches Local and State Politics.?LaDarion and his wife, Courtney, have one "child" named Zoey, which is a Boston Terrier. Some of his hobbies are golfing, traveling, reading, parasailing, and spending time with family.

In work and life LaDarion follows a saying by Margaret Mead, "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world, indeed, it's the only thing that ever has."

Why Did You Choose Lobbying?
I could have never imagined having the honor of working in governmental relations and representing so many diverse groups and interests. Having a passion for policy and government interfacing drove my interest for jumping into this field, but more importantly the need of some many Mississippians from all walks of life.

Practice Areas (Specialties)
Association Management
Non- Profits/Trade Associations
Procurement
Rules, Regulations, and Compliance
Federal Advocacy

20+ years

Phi Beta Kappa graduate, University of North Carolina

James Magazine lobbyist Hall of Fame

Georgia State Bar highest award for public service

Legislator of the year award for ACGG

State Senate Minority Leader

Chairman of Georgia GOP

Lincoln Shurtz has over two decades of experience advancing client priorities in both the public and private sectors. Before starting Legislative Insight Consulting, Lincoln served for four years in active military service in the US Army as a tank commander. The skills and political acumen he developed leading a platoon helped shape his career path, eventually leading him to the Utah League of Cities and Towns, where he became Director of Government Relations.

A bipartisan approach is part of what sets Lincoln apart from the rest. Relationships built on trust and experience provide more than partisan rhetoric.

Lincoln serves and has served on many boards, including EDCUtah, the Governor's Committee on Accountability and Government Efficiency, Utah Governor's Office of Economic Development, and the Moran Eye Center at the University of Utah.

Lincoln received degrees in Political Science and Economics from the University of Utah, where he is a lecturer in the MPA program. When not working, he can be found heliskiing in Utah and Canada and spending time with his family.

0-5 years

Leadership Iowa Graduate

Nick is an experienced government relations, public affairs, and public relations professional with a successful history of executing lobbying and issue campaigns. He began his journey in the political arena at a young age and has had the opportunity to work a number of political campaigns at the local, state, congressional, and even presidential level.

Nick's career has included leading extensive public affairs issue campaigns, communications and public relations efforts, and marketing campaigns across the Midwest and country influencing state and federal policymakers and garnering media attention. He also spent a couple of sessions being fully immersed in the legislative process while working for a committee chairman in the Iowa House.

These diverse experiences have all culminated in Nick's successful ability to execute strategic plans to introduce, pass, block, or amend legislation at the Iowa Statehouse for clients and build strong relationships with lawmakers and stakeholders. From legislative agenda development and interim planning to PAC management and issue campaigns, Nick specializes in elevating a client's message and executing legislative strategies. Nick also leads Advocacy Strategies' administrative rulemaking engagement and media relations efforts on behalf of our clients.

Nick grew up in Byron, MN and made his way to Iowa through Simpson College's John C. Culver Public Policy Center where he was selected as a Fellow. He graduated Simpson with the highest academic honor with majors in Political Science and International Relations and a minor in Religious Studies and also received his Master's Degree in Public Policy and a Graduate Certificate in Public Administration from the University of Northern Iowa.

Outside of work, Nick is actively involved in his church community, local political activism, the Simpson College Alumni Association Board, and serves as the President of the John C. Culver Public Policy Center Alumni Association. He graduated from Leadership Iowa, the state's premier professional leadership development program, in June of 2022.

Mark Ruge is a lawyer in the Public Policy and Law practice group at the global law firm K&L Gates, one of the largest policy groups in the United States. He focuses his practice on the federal government, representing clients on policy matters before Congress, administrative issues before the federal agencies/departments, and, occasionally, regulatory disputes in the federal courts. He is involved in a broad range of maritime issues and issues related to the Great Lakes states. Most recently, he was named "2018 Great Lakes Marine Man of the Year" and inducted into the Great Lakes Hall of Fame, the first attorney ever chosen.

A veteran of more than a decade as a staffer on Capitol Hill, Mr. Ruge serves as counsel to the American Maritime Partnership, the largest coalition in the history of the U.S. maritime industry, and represents numerous other transportation clients on federal policy issues. In addition, he represents and has represented a broad range of other companies, associations and other entities on federal legislative tax, healthcare, commerce, appropriations and other issues. He is counsel to several major business organizations throughout the Midwest.

Mr. Ruge also counsels clients on issues before the federal agencies and departments. He has successfully helped litigate cases under the Administrative Procedure Act, which mandates rational decision-making by federal agencies. Mr. Ruge has participated successfully in numerous agency administrative appeals and rulemakings.

Before joining the firm, he worked on Congressional staffs, including positions as chief of staff to Rep. Bob Davis (R-MI) and as deputy staff director (minority) of the House Merchant Marine and Fisheries Committee, where he specialized in Michigan and Great Lakes issues. Mr. Ruge is a graduate of Georgetown University Law Center and Northern Michigan University. In 2008, Mr. Ruge received an Executive Certificate in Leadership and Management from the University of Notre Dame's Mendoza College of Business.

He served as the Parish Council president at St. Luke Catholic Church in McLean (VA) for nearly 20 years; chairman of the Board of Directors of the Father McKenna Center; co-chairman and founder of the Food From the Bar legal community food drive that has raised more than 3 million meals for the Capital Area Food Bank; the national board chairman for the Ignatian Volunteer Corps; and as the Fathers' Club president at Gonzaga College High School. He received the St. Aloysius Medal from Gonzaga in 2015.

Mr. Ruge is a part owner of the Green Bay Packers.

20+ years