6-10 years

Named a "30 Under 30 Rising Stars in Florida Politics" by Florida Politics in 2014

Strong relationships in the Florida Department of Education, as well as the chairs and staff of education policy and appropriations committees in both legislative chambers, and many other agencies and policy areas, including the Department of Children and Families, Department of Corrections, and more.

Sara has more than a decade of experience in education policy and government affairs, starting as a K-12 public school teacher. She thrives on helping clients achieve complex and challenging goals and has become a respected and trusted voice for education policy issues in Tallahassee.

Sara joined McGuireWoods Consulting in 2018 after six years of leading government affairs for nonprofits in Florida. Prior to MWC, Sara led external and legislative affairs for Step Up For Students, the largest K-12 scholarship funding organization in the nation. Before that, she was the Florida Legislative Affairs Director for the Foundation for Excellence in Education. In addition to education, Sara has experience in the areas of child welfare, criminal justice, juvenile justice, healthcare, insurance, and more.

In 2011, while still in the classroom, Sara was nominated for Orange County Public Schools Teacher of the Year award. By 2014, Sara was named one of "30 Under 30 Rising Stars" by Florida Politics, the state's predominant political news site.

Sara received her bachelor's degree in English Education from the University of North Florida in 2007 and her master's degree in Education Policy and Evaluation from Florida State University in 2014.

Sara is a member of Leadership Florida, the American Enterprise Institute's State Leadership Network, and co-founder of Lean In Tallahassee. In her spare time, she volunteers as a guardian ad litem in Florida's Second Judicial Circuit and fosters dogs through a local animal rescue organization. Sara lives in Tallahassee with her husband, daughter, and rescue dog.

11-15 years

Chris served for 5 years in the administration of former Governor Dannel P. Malloy, most recently in senior staff as the Governor's Director of Policy and Government Affairs. During that time, he has established deep relationships with state agency decision makers. Over the last 20 years, Chris has worked on numerous campaigns for statewide, state legislative, and municipal elections.

Chris re-joined Rome Smith & Lutz after serving five years in the administration of Governor Dannel P. Malloy, most recently as Director of Policy and Government Affairs; the Governor's chief lobbyist. In his position within the administration, Chris oversaw all policy development and implementation of executive branch policies and legislative priorities. In both of his roles previously with Rome Smith & Lutz and with the Governor's Office, Chris has developed strong relationships with hundreds of private sector leaders in the state and the region, legislators and staff on both sides of the aisle, state agency commissioners & senior staff, and municipal officials in his 18 years working in different capacities at the State Capitol.

0-5 years

Director of Policy and Government Affairs, Maryland Energy Administration
Chief of Staff, Minority Leader Steven Hershey

John C. Fiastro, Jr. boasts extensive experience in government and public affairs. Prior to founding Fiastro Consulting, John served as Director of Policy and Government Affairs at Maryland Energy Administration as well as Chief of Staff to two Maryland State Senators. John maintains a strong relationship network within Maryland's legislative and executive branches as well as the state's regulatory commissions and offices.

John brings extensive knowledge of the legislative process and regulatory environment in a number of key policy areas including energy, public utilities, environment, budget, gaming, healthcare, financial regulation.

John is the proud husband of Julianne and father to Leo and Caesar. A resident of Lutherville, in Baltimore County, John is a graduate of Towson University and Loyola Blakefield High School.

6-10 years

I served on the staff of Lt. Governor Nancy Wyman as a senior advisor in 2018 and assisted in her end of term transition out of public office.

Prior to joining Rome Smith & Lutz, Joseph attended Franklin & Marshall College in Lancaster, Pennsylvania; majoring in Government and minoring in French. After college, Joseph pursued a law degree at Quinnipiac University School of Law. While attending law school, he worked as a legal intern with Rome Smith & Lutz during the 2013 legislative session. After graduating from law school and passing the Connecticut bar examination in 2014, Joseph joined RSL full-time and has worked with the team for five years except for taking a leave of absence in 2018 to serve in the office of Lt. Governor Nancy Wyman as a Senior Advisor.