15-20 years

Mack Cooper is a senior government affairs advisor with more than 20 years of experience shaping public policy in Tennessee. Having served under two Tennessee governors, Mack brings deep institutional knowledge, long-standing relationships across both parties, and a strong track record advising clients on high-stakes public policy and economic development issues.

As a registered lobbyist, Mack assists clients with strategic planning involving the executive and legislative branches of government, as well as legislative, lobbying, contract, regulatory, and administrative matters. He has represented clients on critical issues ranging from zoning and permitting to tax incentives and environmental regulations and has a proven record of protecting client interests before state and local legislative bodies and government agencies in Tennessee.

Over his career, Mack has provided counsel to a wide range of clients, including aggregates producers, business services providers, education institutions, financial institutions, healthcare providers, hospitality companies, manufacturers, and others.

Mack earned a B.S. from Tusculum University.

20+ years

Forty Under 40 (2004) Recognition by statewide newspaper of those under 40 making an impact in NH.

President's Award - NH Dental Society (2011)

Extra Mile Award (2014) NH Manufactured & Modular Housing Association

JOHN D. NICOLAY directed state governmental representation at Winston & Strawn LLP for seven years. Previously, he served as general counsel to the Illinois Senate President, where his responsibilities included staffing and operations for the Illinois Senate Judiciary Committee.

Prior to his work with the office of the Senate President, he served as a legislative liaison for the Cook County State's Attorney's Office where he helped secure passage of more than 50 pieces of legislation, including major sentencing and evidentiary reforms. He also served as an Assistant State's Attorney and practiced in the area of commercial and governmental litigation at Shefsky & Froelich, Ltd. In addition, Mr. Nicolay served as a Legislative Aide to former Senate Minority Leader Frank Watson, and as a special assistant to Governor James R. Thompson.

Mr. Nicolay has represented Fortune 500 companies, trade associations, and entrepreneurs in the General Assembly. He also has negotiated and litigated on behalf of clients before municipal and administrative law tribunals. He is a frequent speaker on legislative process and governmental ethics, and served as outside ethics counsel to the Senate President. Mr. Nicolay is the co-author of Effective Dates of Illinois Legislation, in the Handbook of Illinois Administrative Law (Illinois State Bar Association, 2001).

In January 2008, Mr. Nicolay was named as a "Rising Star" in the Illinois Super Lawyers edition of Chicago Magazine, having been nominated by fellow members of the Illinois bar.

Mr. Nicolay is past President and serves on the Board of Directors of The Advocacy Group, an international governmental affairs organization. He is Vice-Chairman of the Illinois Executive Mansion Association, a not-for-profit corporation which administers the public use of the Governor's Mansion in Springfield and the Hayes Mansion in DuQuoin. He also serves on the Board of Trustees of MacMurray College, served two terms on the Board of Directors of the Illinois State Chamber of Commerce, and served on the Board of Directors of Intermountain Corporate Affairs Company. He is honored to serve on the Advisory Board of Misericordia/Heart of Mercy Home in Chicago, a residential facility for developmentally disabled children and adults, which is a pro bono client of the firm.

Mr. Nicolay received a B.S. in history and political science from MacMurray College and a J.D. from DePaul University College of Law. He is admitted to practice in the Illinois Supreme Court and the United States District Court for the Northern, Central, and Southern Districts of Illinois.

20+ years

Presented and moderated panels at the New Hampshire Business and Industry Association's annual energy symposiums.

Presented at Northeast Energy and Commerce Association's "Hot Topics in 2024 New England Public Policy Webinar."

Recipient of the New Hampshire Business and Industry Association's 2005 "Above and Beyond" award.

I appear before the New Hampshire Legislature, state agencies (e.g., the Department of Energy, Department of Health and Human Services, and the Department of Insurance) and boards (e.g., Prescription Drug Affordability Board) for public hearings, work sessions, testimony, and presentations.

I am a government and regulatory affairs professional with 24 years of experience representing clients before the New Hampshire General Court and Executive Branch agencies. I work collaboratively with clients and colleagues to develop, implement, and adapt strategies for communicating, negotiating, and promoting public policies that advance client goals.

I maintain positive working relationships and open dialogues with state officials, stakeholders, and client team members as I advocate for client positions. I am a trusted and respected source of information and appear before the New Hampshire Legislature, state agencies, and boards for public hearings, work sessions, testimony, and presentations. I have worked on public policy issues and legislative and regulatory matters related to energy, environment, health care, elder law, transportation, business strategies, and economic and market analyses.

Prior to working in the government relations field, I was an energy policy analyst in the New Hampshire Governor's Office of Energy and Community Services, where I helped advocate for the Governor's preferred policies on electric industry restructuring.

6-10 years

Annie Beckstrom is an attorney and government affairs professional who advises clients on legislative, regulatory and public policy matters before the Tennessee General Assembly, state executive branch, state and federal regulatory agencies, and local governments.

Annie brings extensive experience in state government advocacy, helping clients navigate the legislative and regulatory process to address complex policy challenges. In her dual role as policy counsel and registered lobbyist, she works to educate lawmakers regarding the impact of proposed legislative changes on client operations. Utilizing her prior experience serving in the legal departments of the Tennessee General Assembly and Louisiana State Legislature, she drafts legislation on behalf of client-driven policy initiatives and in response to legislative engagement.

Drawing from her background in building and managing coalitions for a variety of state industry groups, Annie frequently collaborates with key stakeholders to develop solutions to multifaceted political issues and execute strategic communications campaigns to advance related advocacy efforts. Her legal practice centers on advising clients regarding matters of state and federal public policy, campaign finance, governmental ethics and administrative law, in addition to assisting clients with management of state and federal political action committees.

Prior to her roles in state government and private practice, Annie gained valuable experience with a Washington, D.C., government affairs firm, where she drafted an amendment to the Stark Law on behalf of a coalition of major healthcare and technology corporations designed to provide regulatory relief for cybersecurity software donations from large health systems to smaller physician groups. The amendment has been incorporated into a rule promulgated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Annie is also a Partner at Holtzman Vogel Baran Josefiak & Torchinsky PLLC.

Annie earned her B.A. in Political Science from Southeastern Louisiana University and her J.D. from Louisiana State University, Paul M. Hebert Law Center.

20+ years

James has over 20 years of experience in the legislative and government relations sector. Prior to establishing Blue Hen Strategies, he was a co-owner of Armitage DeChene & Associates, a full-service government affairs firm, for 4 years. He also worked for the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce as Senior Vice President, Government Relations. In that role, he was responsible for developing the Chamber's policy and advocacy positions on legislative and regulatory issues impacting Delaware businesses.

Before coming to the State Chamber, James was Senior Manager, Political Affairs and Federation Relations for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. There, James helped shape the Chamber's political program and outreach to the member organizations that make up its grassroots and federation network.

James was also Senior Manager of the Eastern Region of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce for five years where he was responsible for legislative and political grassroots strategy in the 11 states included in the Chamber's Eastern Region.

Before joining the U.S. Chamber staff in June 2007, James worked for state chapters of Associated Builders and Contractors in Syracuse, NY and Burlington, MA as Regional Vice President and Director of Public Affairs & Communications, respectively. During this time, he oversaw all facets of the association's legislative, regulatory, and communications strategy, representing business interests before Local and State governments, as well as the media.

Prior to his work with the association, James worked in Washington, DC for the Grocery Manufacturers of America, the largest association representing the food and beverage manufacturing industry, as their Government Affairs Representative for Federal Affairs and International Trade, and for U.S. Congressman Tom Davis, from Virginia's 11th Congressional District. In this role, James covered a variety of Federal issues, including transportation and Federal IT procurement.

A Delaware native, and University of Delaware graduate, James lives with his wife, son, and daughter in Newark.

MEGHAN LOPER serves as Vice President and has been helping shape State policy for more than decade. She joined CSG with extensive government affairs experience advocating for private businesses and working with elected officials. Ms. Loper has a unique ability to identify policy opportunities, develop effective advocacy strategies and achieve success by utilizing her bipartisan network with key decision-makers.

Prior to joining CSG, Ms. Loper served as Public Policy Director for Majestic Realty Co., one of the nation's largest privately held, family-owned real estate development firms. With Majestic properties playing a critical role in the supply chain, Ms. Loper served on several regional goods movement committees and stakeholder agency advisory groups. She gained extensive experience on transportation issues by serving as the lead staffer for a member of the California Transportation Commission. Ms. Loper was also the Program Director for the Majestic Realty Foundation, collaborating with nonprofits on programs related to health, education, and violence prevention. She advised the Foundation's board of directors and regional planning teams. She developed the curriculum for its flagship program, the Los Angeles Youth Leadership Council.

Ms. Loper was selected for the prestigious Coro Fellows Program in Public Affairs in Los Angeles. Coro is a graduate-level leadership training program that provides experience in the public affairs arena.

Ms. Loper received her MBA from the Marshall School of Business at the University of Southern California. A two-time Trojan grad, she also graduated Cum Laude with departmental honors and holds a Bachelor of Science in Public Policy and Management from the University of Southern California. She serves on Leadership Council for the Sol Price School of Public Policy at USC."

20+ years

JoLee Gudmundson has been providing governmental relations for over 20 years in South Carolina and has represented major business and association interests before the SC General Assembly, SC Congressional Delegation and state agency regulatory bodies.

Founded in 1998, Gudmundson Consulting is a bipartisan firm that represents a range of lobbying, monitoring, and public policy issues. Her expertise includes, healthcare, judicial, criminal law, banking and finance as well as non-profit, business and corporate interests.

She is experienced in facilitating industry working groups and maintaining good relationships with allied organizations and state licensing agencies. She is a frequent speaker providing continuing education credits for her clients as well as other nonprofit organizations.

JoLee has a Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communication and Journalism from Winthrop University.

As an active volunteer within her community and South Carolina, JoLee serves on several committees and boards, including the State Advisory Board for the South Carolina Small Business Development Center and the Board of Trustees for a leading Independent School in the Southeast.

CALI award for best Oral Argument in Legal Practice II

Prior to joining the firm, Matt served as a budget analyst in the Hawaii State Legislature for the House Finance Committee from 2011-2015.

Matt graduated cum laude from the William S. Richardson School of Law in 2016 where he served as Student Bar Association President, Law School Visit Coordinator, and Legal Writing Teaching Assistant.

During law school he served as a research assistant to Professor Ronald Brown at the William Richardson School of Law. He also served as the law school's representative to the Young Lawyers Division of the Hawaii State Bar Association from 2015-16. In addition, Matt also served as a student member on the Access to Justice Task Force tasked with developing the feasibility of a Loan Repayment Assistance Program. Matt also served as the head coach of the Ete football team in 2014.

Prior to attending law school, Matt graduated with honors from Punahou School, and attended Occidental College where he graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Asian Studies with an emphasis in Japanese History in 2011. During college, Matt participated in track and field, and served as the team captain in 2011. During this time Matt spent his summers as a teaching assistant mentoring elementary, middle and high school students.

Mr. Tsujimura is a member of the American and Hawaii State Bar Associations. He is the former chair of the Zoning Board of Appeals of the City and County of Honolulu, and the former vice-chair of the Hawaii Community Development Authority. Mr. Tsujimura is also the former president and board member of the Land Use Research Foundation.

6-10 years

The daughter of a Baptist music minister and preschool teacher, Maeci Walker grew up in Alabama and graduated from Hewitt-Trussville High School. She went on to Samford University and graduated with a degree in communication studies and then received her master's degree in advertising and public relations from the nationally ranked program at The University of Alabama.

She currently serves as Vice President of Christie Strategy Group. She began as Manager of Public Affairs in 2011 and was named Vice President in 2019. Maeci also serves as Treasurer of the CSG Political Action Committee (PAC), handling all ethics reporting and fundraising, and Executive Director of the Alabama Railway Association.

Maeci serves on the Board of Directors of Gateway, Birmingham's oldest nonprofit, the Service Guild of Birmingham, the Committee for the Future with Children's of Alabama, and volunteers with The Women's Fund of Greater Birmingham. She also serves on the Women's Ministry Leadership Team at Shades Mountain Baptist Church.

Maeci and her husband, R.B. Walker, live in Birmingham with their son, Bo, and two Frenchtons, Zelda and Ruby.

15-20 years

Alisha M. Duhon has spent the last twenty-five years gaining experience in local and state government, association management, and private firms in the oil and gas, engineering, legal, and tourism industries. Ethics compliance and reporting is another area where Alisha has provided many services to clients and companies in Louisiana.

Growing up in the 'most Cajun place on Earth' (Vermilion Parish) taught Alisha that hospitality to all and hard work will always be the best route. Politics and service was a frequent family topic at Alisha's childhood dinner tables which inspired her interests which led her to government relations consulting. Through service, hard work, hospitality and our love of culture and politics; Alisha aims for clients to feel that inclusive sense to be part of our Pivotal family.

20+ years

Jason Webb's often heard motto is "You must educate before you can advocate." He believes that policy makers are invariably dependent on concise and accurate information. While the introduction of those conversations is the foundation for advocacy, it's the ongoing discussion and exchange of ideas that tend to build success in the long run.

"If you can reduce complicated matters down to their core principles, then individuals will usually have a better chance of understanding them. Greater comprehension brings with it the likelihood that people will consider different perspectives on an issue. By increasing diverse viewpoints, we can collectively solve complex problems," he says.

For over two decades, Webb has worked in government relations, serving a diverse range of clients that include Fortune 500 companies, trade associations and non-profit corporations. His proficiency includes economic development, environment, finance, healthcare, insurance, natural resources, professional licensure, taxes and technology.

The son of a coal miner, Webb understands the adage that there is no substitute for hard work. He worked his way through college, completed internships at Merrill Lynch and a trading firm on the Chicago Board Options Exchange and worked with the Senior PGA Tour.

Webb received his Bachelor in Business Administration in finance and political science from the Gatton College of Business and Economics at the University of Kentucky.

20+ years

Prior to a 15 plus year stint at a Concord based law firm, I served as an assistant to former Manchester Mayor Raymond Wieczorek, where the duties included constituent services and policy planning.

I earned a Bachelor's Degree in Politics from St. Anselm College, and a Master's Degree in Public Administration from the University of New Hampshire. Prior community involvement includes participation on board of directors for the American Red Cross of New Hampshire, the Manchester Development Corporation, the City of Manchester's Conduct Board, Moore Center Services, and coaching various youth sports.

ERIN TAYLOR has more than twenty years of experience working in the public policy arena at the federal, state and local level.

Prior to forming Taylor Strategies & Consulting in 2014, Taylor served as the Executive Director of the Wyoming Taxpayers Association for eight years. During that time, she successfully advocated for legislation and programs that enhanced businesses throughout the state, based on the view that all businesses should be fairly taxed. She garnered the respect of state and local elected officials with her analytic and unbiased reporting of tax policy.

She was instrumental in educating policy makers on the implications of tax policy and experienced many successes in the legislative area, including increasing Wyoming's fuel tax, passing a sales and use tax vendor allowance, implementing special district transparency, formulating property tax relief programs, among others.

After the association, Taylor served as statewide campaign manager for US Senator Mike Enzi for the 2014 primary election where she spearheaded a comprehensive county-by-county issue based campaign, and oversaw all aspects of the day-to-day operations, which yielded the Senator his highest win percentage in that office.

Aside from tax policy, building coalitions and managing communications, Taylor also carries years of experience with regulatory issues, both at the national and state level. She served as Wyoming Government Affairs Representative with PacifiCorp (now Rocky Mountain Power), and in Washington DC forming electric transmission pricing policy with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission through the Edison Electric Institute and the Electric Power Supply Association, and finally, managing regulatory affairs for Montana-Dakota Utilities, Co, in Bismarck, ND.

Taylor earned an undergraduate in economics and also her master of science in regulatory and environmental economics from the University of Wyoming. She is also active in her community through Cheyenne Rotary and a number of local service organizations.

15-20 years

Recognized by the Central Penn Business Journal, Forty Under 40

Recognized by Susquehanna Style, Women in Leadership

Pennsylvania Association for Government Relations
Women in Pennsylvania Government Relations
Anne B. Anstine Excellence in Public Service Series, Class of 2008
Past Chair, Board of Directors, American Red Cross, Central PA Chapter
Leadership Harrisburg Area Executive Program, Class of 2016
Founder and Former Co-Chair, Dickinson College Alumni Association for Central Pennsylvania
Board member, Keystone Human Services Partnership Board
Board member, D.R.E.A.M. Partnership,
Associate Board member, Members 1st FCU

Angela Leopold is a Senior Partner of Novak Strategic Advisors. A savvy businesswoman and an accomplished community leader, Angela knows people and gets results. At NSA, Angela directs top to bottom grassroots campaigns, earned and social media strategies, and coalition building activities. For the past 15 years, she has worked on state and national issues such as healthcare, taxation, and energy. Angela co-leads the Issue Advocacy division at Novak and oversees several of Novak’s government affairs clients as well.

Early in her career as a political fundraiser, Angela developed creative, direct approaches to navigating grassroots campaigns that included issue-based forums, consensus building, and reputation management. Today, she utilizes this experience and continues to cultivate her well-established relationships and strong, broad-based coalition networks. Angela has successfully managed several local races drawing on her impressive organizational skills and ability to mobilize grassroots armies at the local level. From circulating petitions to building relationships with local business and community leaders, Angela leveraged her connections in creative ways, which ultimately led her candidates to victory in these local elections.

Angela is the past board chair of the Central PA Chapter of the American Red Cross, and in 2016 graduated from the Leadership Harrisburg Area Executive program. When Angela is not pulling it all together at work, she is pulling together ways to support nonprofits, including the Midwest Food Bank, D.R.E.A.M. Partnership, and Keystone Human Services (Partnership Board). In 2021, Angela was recognized as a 40 Under 40 Leader by the Central Penn Business Journal as well as Women in Business 2021 issue in Susquehanna Style.

Angela is a graduate of Dickinson College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science. Angela lives in Mechanicsburg with her husband, Joe, and son, Mark.

15-20 years

The Best Lawyers in America guide, Government Relations Practice, 2026 and 2027

Women of Influence, Nashville Business Journal, 2025

Catie Lane Bailey is a leading government affairs attorney and lobbyist in Tennessee, representing corporate and association clients before the Tennessee General Assembly, executive branch agencies, and local governments. She advises clients on legislative strategy, regulatory engagement, and political positioning, with a focus on delivering results in complex, high-stakes policy environments. At Vogel Group, she helps lead the firm's Tennessee practice alongside Brandon Smith.

Catie Lane brings deep, end-to-end knowledge of the legislative process and is known for her ability to move initiatives from initial concept through enactment. She has built strong, trusted relationships across legislative leadership and the executive branch, and is widely recognized for her credibility, responsiveness, and effectiveness in advancing client priorities.

She has played a central role in representing a large portfolio of clients before the Tennessee General Assembly and state agencies, advising on a broad range of policy matters and managing sophisticated, multi-issue advocacy efforts. Her work includes securing state and local appropriations to support business expansion and relocation, navigating government procurement processes, and shaping regulatory frameworks impacting key industries.

Prior to joining Vogel Group, Catie Lane led and developed the Tennessee state government affairs practice at an AM Law 100 law firm. She began her public policy career as a congressional intern for then-Tennessee Senator Lamar Alexander while pursuing her undergraduate degree.

Catie Lane is also a Partner at Holtzman Vogel Baran Josefiak & Torchinsky PLLC.

Catie Lane earned her B.A. in Political Science and Communication Studies from Western Kentucky University, summa cum laude, and her J.D. from the Nashville School of Law.

20+ years

Honorary Member, Pioneer Lawmakers Association, Class of 2017

Throughout my career, my focus has been to work with elected officials of both parties to help my clients achieve their goals. In addition, I have worked with most state executive branch agencies and elected officials.

I am an educated, motivated and experienced professional with over 25 years of public affairs and government relations expertise.

Currently, I serve as President of Triplett Enterprises, representing the interests of clients at the Iowa Legislature and executive branch, as well as overseeing the strategy, development, and implementation of state government relations and public affairs programs.Previously, I have held both executive- and managerial-level positions within three trade associations and represented Iowa's business community, banks, and savings and loan associations on a variety of issues including health care, environment, energy, economic development, commerce, transportation, electronic transactions, mortgage lending, ag finance, bankruptcy and bank holding company structure.

Competencies: Public Policy and Government Affairs, Business Strategy, Advocacy, Leadership, Trade Associations, Transportation
Policy, and Relationship Building.

20+ years

Tracy Persico serves as a Director in Brown Rudnick's Government Law & Strategies Group in the Hartford Office. She represents clients before the Connecticut General Assembly, as well as state and local regulatory agencies. As a registered lobbyist, Tracy represents clients in the energy, technology, telecommunications, health care and transportation industries. In addition, she concentrates on local and state government procurements and also has extensive experience working with advocacy groups and various industry coalitions.

Tracy knows that in the political arena perseverance is part of the key to success, as well as timing and patience. Providing professional guidance and strategy as to how to navigate through the nuances of the political process is her specialty.

Tracy lives in New Haven, Connecticut and attended Quinnipiac University School of Law. She was admitted to the Connecticut Bar in 2008. She began her government involvement in 1997 as an assistant to the deputy majority leader of the Connecticut House of Representatives and later served as a campaign coordinator for several legislators during the 1998 elections.

15-20 years

Our firm has deep relationships with all decision makers in the State, especially with leadership in both chambers.

Drawing on more than 20 years of experience with Louisiana state government, Christopher "Chris"?Coulon advises national and regional clients who operate in a wide range of industries on matters at the state and local level.

Chris lobbies for bills that enhance his clients' businesses and against those that place burdens upon them, knowing that it takes a lot more effort to get legislation enacted than it does to kill a bill. Like many states, Louisiana has out-dated laws and regulations on the books, and Chris works with policymakers to modernize the statutory and regulatory frameworks "" understanding, for example, that they want government to adopt policies that keep pace with technological advancements in their industries while also protecting privacy in our data-driven global economy.

Chris earned his bachelor's degree in Public Administration from Louisiana State University. While pursuing his degree, he worked in many capacities in the State Legislature including a page, a Sergeant at Arms and finally as executive assistant to Speaker of the House John Alario. Prior to joining Pivotal, Chris worked in government relations with a New Orleans based law firm and with CLECO Electric Company.