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.

Sara Allen joined Cornerstone in September 2016. Sara brings over five years of healthcare experience, as well as years spent lobbying, developing and executing policy positions, engaging grassroots advocates, and assisting with political action committee campaigns and endorsements. Sara assists clients throughout the legislative and rule-making process, focusing on health care and state government concerns.

Most recently, Sara worked as a state lobbyist and staff attorney working for the Iowa Hospital Association, representing all 118 Iowa hospitals at the statehouse and various administrative agencies. In this position, Sara gained expertise in a variety of areas impacting hospitals and other health care providers; these areas include financing and reimbursement, behavioral health, value-based healthcare delivery reform models, informational technology innovation, regulatory and legal compliance, scope of practice concerns for specific providers, public body concerns, and public health initiatives.

Before her position at the Iowa Hospital Association, Sara worked for a physician staffing company as associate corporate counsel. In that role, she was responsible for maintaining the corporation's business compliance, contract drafting and enforcement, and managing the human resources function.

Sara received her juris doctorate from Drake University in December 2010 and was admitted to the Iowa Bar in April 2011. Prior to Drake, Sara received her Business Administration degree from Grand View University. In addition to her formal education, Sara received her private pilot's license in 2005 and enjoys recreational flying.

Sara lives in Des Moines with her husband Colby and her three young children, Briar, Blake, and Boone.

15-20 years

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

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

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

Adrian joined MHSA in 2002, and became a member of Muchmore Harrington Smalley & Associates, LLC in 2015. Prior to that, he served as the Assistant Vice President of Legislative Relations for the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC). Adrian collaborated with key stakeholders to improve Michigan's business climate with high profile legislation such as Next Energy and the establishment of the Broadband Authority. Adrian was also influential during the passage of legislation to create the Metropolitan Airport Authority Act, which was responsible for the building and modernization of the McNamara Terminal at Detroit Metropolitan Airport.

Respected as one of Lansing's top lobbyists, Adrian specializes in economic development, energy and technology, environmental, insurance, banking and tax policy issues. Recent accomplishments include the passage of legislation that gave Jackson National the ability to expand their business. Adrian secured state investment for the Farmers Insurance expansion and the JW Marriott Hotel, both in Grand Rapids. He has been instrumental in the last three business tax code rewrites and worked on legislation to standardize college entrance testing.

Prior to his work at the MEDC, Adrian was the Legislative Liaison for the Department of Management and Budget where he was responsible for securing funding to build the Hall of Justice, Constitution Hall and the Vietnam War Memorial. Adrian began his career working as a legislative aide for three state Senators, later serving as director of public affairs. Adrian also worked as the public events coordinator for the Senate Majority Leader.

Adrian holds a bachelor's degree in Communications and Sociology from Western Michigan University (WMU), where he graduated with honors. While at WMU, Adrian served on the Board to Review the President's Address on Racial and Ethnic Harmony.

Adrian and his wife Erin live in East Lansing with their four girls.

6-10 years

11-15 years

David Adelman joined Cornerstone Government Affairs in 2010, bringing over 10 years of substantial experience in grassroots advocacy, developing and implementing strategic legislative campaigns, drafting and analyzing legislative language and reports and establishing, administering and advising political action committees.

Before joining Cornerstone, David worked for a law firm in West Des Moines where his practice focused on government relations, legislative law, PAC compliance and strategic advising, and election law. David continues to secure millions of dollars for clients through appropriation language, enables clients to secure major policy changes in a variety of issue areas and helps defeat language that would have been detrimental to clients' interests.

Prior to his role at the law firm, David worked with the Department of Justice, in the Iowa Attorney's General Office and clerked in the State Senate.

David worked in Washington, D.C. at the Democratic National Committee where he helped to design the voter protection program in 2004 and returned to Des Moines where he assisted in the establishment of the legal protection network for the Iowa Democratic Party. David served two terms on the Iowa Democratic State Central Committee; the Board of Directors for the Democratic Party.

Raised in Des Moines, David earned a B.S. in Marketing and Business Legal Studies from Miami University, and a certificate in International Business studying in London, England. He received his law degree with a Legislative Practice Certificate from Drake University Law School.

David and his wife, Liz, reside in Des Moines where they are active in the community and have three sons, Michael, Benjamin and Sam.

Evelyn (Evie) Zois Sweeney joined MHSA in 2011. Evie previously lobbied on behalf of a multitude of corporate, non-profit and municipal clients at Dykema Gossett, PLLC. She has extensive experience with state procurement, local government and the appropriations process, specifically higher education, capital outlay, corrections and general government.

Prior to joining Dykema, Evie served as a legislative assistant to the Senate Appropriations Chair and Clerk for the Senate Appropriations Committee and Joint Capital Outlay Subcommittee. In addition to shepherding legislative agendas through the process, she was responsible for monitoring several departmental budgets, including corrections, community health and general government.

Evie is a 2004 graduate fellow of Michigan State University's Michigan Political Leadership Program, a multi-partisan leadership training program. Evie also serves as co-chair of the gift acquisition committee for the Children's Trust Fund, is involved with Habitat for Humanity and serves on the Michigan Political Leadership Program's Finance Committee. Evie also had the privilege of working on Governor Rick Snyder's 2011 Inaugural Executive Committee.

Evie graduated from Michigan State University's James Madison College with honors and earned a bachelor of arts degree. She was a double major in International Relations and Sociology. Evie also served as a research assistant at St. Peter's College, University of Oxford, Oxford England.

Evie and her husband Matt reside in DeWitt with their daughter and son.

6-10 years

Paige joined the firm's Iowa office after serving as an attorney at BrownWinick Law Firm for nearly two years.

Prior to joining BrownWinick, she served as the deputy chief of staff for Governor Kim Reynolds (R-IA). In that role, Paige oversaw the development of the Governor's policy agenda and successfully led efforts to enact the Governor's proposals to expand and fund mental health services, build broadband infrastructure, remove workforce barriers and expand educational opportunities. She also advised the Governor on the development of the state's $8.4 billion general fund budget and provided counsel on some of Iowa's most significant challenges in recent years, including the pandemic, civil unrest and a derecho. Before her time as deputy chief of staff, Paige worked as a policy advisor for Gov. Reynolds, focusing on health care and serving as the liaison to agencies, including the Departments of Human Services and Public Health and the Iowa Insurance Division.

She holds a Bachelor of Arts in political science from Iowa State University and her Juris Doctorate degree and Health Law Certificate from Drake University Law School. She was admitted to the Iowa Bar in April 2011.

FRANCIS X. MCMAHON, ESQ., the founder and president of Advocacy Solutions, has deep expertise in ally development, grassroots and grasstops coalition building, strategic communications management, and online advocacy for clients in a wide range of industries including healthcare, telecommunications, energy, and transportation.

Over the course of his career, Frank has been a key staff member and advisor on many winning political and issue campaigns. He served as Special Counsel and Deputy Chief of Staff to Rhode Island Governor Bruce Sundlun and has led campaigns for Honda Motor Corporation, Verizon, and National Grid.

An avid Friar basketball fan, Frank is a graduate of Providence College, Suffolk University Law School, and a member of the Rhode Island State and Federal Bar Association.

Brian Hackler joined Cornerstone in November 2020 as lead of the firm's flagship office in Oklahoma City. He spent over a decade working for Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-OK). The last five years he served as his Deputy Chief of Staff and State Director. In this role, Brian managed and directed staff in Oklahoma City, Tulsa, Enid, and McAlester. Prior to this role, Brian served as a field representative for Sen. Inhofe covering Southwest Oklahoma. As a field representative, Brian gave legislative updates to local communities and helped constituents navigate federal issues.

Before joining Sen. Inhofe's office, Brian served in the United States Marine Corps from 2003 to 2007, where he played a key role in developing and carrying out daily strategic operations, including combat patrols, safeguarding government facilities and gathering intelligence. Brian was deployed to Iraq in 2004 and 2005, where he successfully contributed to the training and organization of Coalition Iraqi forces.

Brian also serves on the Board of Trustees for the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum. He currently resides in Edmond, Oklahoma with his wife and four children. He received a Juris Doctorate from the Oklahoma City University School of Law and a Bachelor of Arts degree in philosophy from the University of Central Oklahoma.

11-15 years

Member of the Delaware Bar Association
Member of the Maryland Bar Association

REBECCA BYRD knows government, policy and politics with the inside knowledge that comes from broad experience with all three branches of government, and she combines it with the perspective of a lawyer. She can draft legislation. She can lobby for it. She can decipher federal and state regulations.

There was a method to Rebecca's decision not to specialize in just anything. With the breadth of her background, she is ready for everything. Rebecca is a third-generation practitioner. Her grandmother was an aide to Gov. Sherman W. Tribbitt, her father is Bob Byrd, and here she is to carry on the family tradition. Rebecca was the deputy legal counsel to Governor Ruth Ann Minner and a deputy attorney general in the state Justice Department under Attorney General Beau Biden. She also clerked on the Delaware Supreme Court for Justices Carolyn Berger, Jack Jacobs and Henry duPont Ridgely and served as a liaison for the court to the General Assembly.

She is the author of articles on Delaware's Coastal Zone Act (Delaware Chamber of Commerce, 2016) and a co-author of "50 State Survey: The Law of Eminent Domain"" (American Bar Association, 2012). Rebecca is a member of the Delaware State Bar Association and the American Bar Association, where she is a member of the Business Law Section and its Government Affairs Committee. She is a graduate of the George Washington University and the Catholic University of America School of Law.

20+ years

6-10 years

Mike is a senior vice-president with McGuireWoods Consulting and a partner with the McGuireWoods LLP law firm. He helps clients develop strategies to address complex public policy challenges. He is a seasoned operative who understands how to integrate direct lobbying, grassroots campaigning, communications, and digital media to achieve results.

Viewed by his clients as a trusted advisor, Mike helps to lead the firm's multi-state national practice, working with clients across the country as they interact with governors, attorneys general, state legislators, and regulators. He has a wide bandwidth exposure to numerous and diverse industries (healthcare to energy to tech to transportation) and regularly interfaces with legal and corporate executives.

In the spring of 2015, Mike raised $63,000 in 70 days for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Man of the Year campaign. As a part of this effort to raise awareness and money for LLS, Mike was "pushed" out of an airplane at 11,300 feet by a 1st grader who was fighting leukemia. Yes, he is scared of heights.

0-5 years

Prior to joining Adams and Reese, Emily served as the Director of Government Affairs for the South Carolina Department of Education. In this role, she served as the liaison between the agency and South Carolina's General Assembly, the Governor, the Congressional Delegation, other state agencies and stakeholder groups. Additionally, during the legislative session she provided public testimony during hearings, coordinated agency policy development, and annually facilitated the agency budget request through the Governor's Office and the General Assembly.

Emily also spent seven years within the South Carolina House of Representatives' Ways and Means Committee, serving as a budget analyst with involvement in the Health and Human Services Budget Subcommittee and the Public Education and Special Schools Subcommittee. Her work included coordinating the passage of $2 billion in state appropriations through the budget process and coordinating communication between the General Assembly, the state's school districts and the South Carolina Department of Education, as well as a variety of legislation affecting K-12 education, property tax, and sales and use tax.

Sandi Jones joined MHSA in 1996 and became a member in 2003. She adds over 20 years of governmental and community relations experience to the MHSA team and is considered one of Lansing's top ten lobbyists and one of the most powerful female lobbyists in Michigan.

Specializing in appropriations, judiciary, mental health, long term care, law enforcement, criminal justice, and education issues, Sandi enjoys influencing change in the legislative and regulatory processes.

Sandi holds a bachelor's degree in Communications with a minor in Marketing and a Master's in Public Administration, both from Western Michigan University (WMU). She holds the distinction of being the first female to have served as the president of the student body at WMU. Sandi is a member of the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, Pi Alpha Alpha National Honor Society for Public Affairs and Administration, the Michigan Political History Society, the American Society for Public Administrators and is a founding member of In Forum and The White House Project.

In addition to her education-related organizations and associations, Sandi is a member of the March of Dimes Board of Directors, the Michigan Society of Association Executives, the Michigan Fraternal Order of Police, and the Children's Trust Fund. She is currently Chair of the Public Affairs Committee for the Michigan Chapter of the March of Dimes. She has helped build homes for Habitat for Humanity and facilitates mock law-making sessions with the Michigan Youth Leadership Forum, a program to introduce high school students with disabilities to state government. She also sits on the Board of Directors of Montessori Children's House of Lansing and volunteers for various other youth initiatives, including her favorite, Impact Lansing.

Sandi and her husband John reside in Mason with their five children.

Malcolm Kletke joined MHSA in 2020. Malcolm previously held the position of Deputy Director of Legislative Affairs for Governor Whitmer, serving as the chief contact between the Michigan Legislature and Governor Whitmer on all legislative issues. He was involved in historic changes to Michigan's Auto No-Fault system, the Raise the Age package, sports-betting and online gaming legislation, Rebuilding Michigan Plan, and dealing with the COVID-19 response.

Prior to serving Governor Whitmer, Malcolm served as a policy analyst for the Michigan Senate Democratic Caucus. In this role he provided research, analysis, and policy advice on matters coming before the Transportation, Commerce, Natural Resources & Environmental Quality, and Agriculture Committees. He was also responsible for overseeing the Department of Transportation, Department of Environmental Quality, Department of Natural Resources, and the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development budgets. Malcolm began his career in the Michigan Senate working as a legislative assistant for then-Senate Minority Leader Gretchen Whitmer.

Malcolm holds a bachelor's degree in Political Science – Pre Law from Michigan State University.

Malcolm and his wife Alexandra live in Lansing.

20+ years

Anita L. Schepker, Esq. joins Capitol Consulting after nearly a four-decade career in government relations. Anita has a wealth of knowledge about state government that only comes from successfully navigating numerous complex client issues through the halls at the State Capitol. Prior to joining Capitol Consulting, Anita was president and founder of Schepker&Associates, LLC, a full-service government relations and regulatory law firm. Anita brings to Capitol Consulting a broad group of clients that she's has represented for many years including among others: Abbott Laboratories, AFLAC, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Connecticut Psychological Association, DaVita, Eli Lilly, Horizan Pharma, PhRMA and Safelite Auto Glass.

Prior to starting Schepker&Associates, Anita was a principal in another Hartford based lobbying firm where she acted as president of the firm's public affairs corporation, directing all legislative and regulatory issues, and litigation for the firms' clients.

Anita got her start in legislative lobbying in 1981 at the Connecticut Business and Industry Association (CBIA) where she began as a staff attorney and was promoted to general counsel. As general counsel, she headed CBIA's legal and political departments. After eight years at CBIA Anita was hired as the senior vice president for government affairs at the Connecticut Bank and Trust Company (CBT) where she oversaw all of its state legislative and regulatory activities. In addition, she coordinated CBT's federal and state political action committee activities.

Anita is a graduate of the University of Connecticut and she received her Juris Doctorate from the University of Tulsa College of Law. Also, she has a Masters in Education from St. Joseph's College.

Matt Hinch brings over a decade of experience in state and federal government and as a well-respected campaign and political strategist. Most recently, Matt served as chief of staff to Governor Terry Branstad and Lt. Governor Kim Reynolds, where he oversaw the day-to-day operations of the State of Iowa's executive branch and the Governor's office. In addition, he served as the chief policy and political advisor to the Governor leading successful legislative efforts to strengthen Iowa's infrastructure, improve workforce training and reduce student debt.

Prior to his role in the Governor's office, Hinch served as the senior vice president of government relations and public policy for the Greater Des Moines Partnership, Iowa's largest chamber of commerce representing 21 affiliate chambers throughout the State and 5,300 business members. While at the Partnership, Hinch developed the concept and spearheaded the successful passage of the Iowa Reinvestment Act, a creative funding strategy bringing $100 million in resources to spur development into Iowa communities. Hinch was also influential in building support for the largest property tax reduction for all classes of property in Iowa's history and the Governor's historic education reform initiative, which has been recognized nationally by education organizations and the U.S. Department of Education for its innovative Teacher Leadership and Compensation plan.

Previously, Hinch served as chief of staff to Iowa House Speaker Kraig Paulsen. As the top aide to Paulsen, Matt was instrumental in assisting the Speaker and the House Republican Caucus as they successfully worked to eliminate a $900 million budget shortfall.

Hinch also served as legislative director and campaign manager for Congressman Tom Latham. With Latham, Hinch managed the Congressman's legislative portfolio and his work on several House Appropriations subcommittees, assisting the Congressman in securing millions of dollars for his Iowa constituents. He also led two successful grassroots re-election efforts for Latham, including a 21-point victory in 2008.

Matt is involved in a variety of local community initiatives including the Every Student, Every Day, Dowling Catholic High School Annual Appeal. Matt is also an active member in the Iowa State Blue Ribbon Foundation, an organization that works to promote and enhance activities for Iowa youth at the world-renowned Iowa State Fair. Matt is a contributor to the University of Iowa Foundation and the University of Iowa Athletics Department.

Matt holds a B.A. in Communications, a minor in Political Science and a certificate in Entrepreneurship from the Henry Tippie College of Business, all at the University of Iowa. A native of Des Moines, Matt resides in West Des Moines with his wife and two children.

15-20 years

Successfully secured recent state approval of the largest public and private partnership for a 45 block redevelopment in Detroit, including a world class event center and mixed use development, valued at $650 million;

Helped design and execute a successful strategy to expand early childhood funding, including $65 million in additional funding opportunities for 14,000 preschoolers to attend Great Start Readiness Program (GRSP);

Successfully achieved approval of KENO for the Michigan State Lottery, which has generated hundreds of millions of dollars into the school aid fund;

Recently negotiated an economic development package with the MEDC to allow for a $100 million expansion, creating 1,000 new jobs for a Mid-Michigan based client;

Played an instrumental role in reshaping debate and the political environment on behalf of a major business organization by helping pass key policy initiatives which include: major business tax restructuring and incorporating fiscal discipline and performance metrics;

Obtained Legislative authority for the start up of the Biosciences Research & Commercialization Center at Western Michigan University including $10 million in state start up funds, creating over 33 life science companies, 240 high tech jobs and leveraged an additional $160 million in private sector investment;
Helped negotiate an incentive package, on behalf of a large international IT company, with the State of Michigan to bring a unique global software development center to the campus of Michigan State University, creating over 500 jobs to date;

Effectively secured hundreds of millions of dollars in capital outlay projects for our university and community college clients;

Assisted several clients in successfully navigating through the procurement process in areas such as Michigan State Lottery, Department of Corrections, IT, and Real Estate, resulting in several hundred million dollars in opportunities;

Negotiated a comprehensive economic development package for an international client, including infrastructure dollars for $84.4 million in investment in 1,600 new jobs in West Michigan;
Facilitated the donation of a retired 747 Jetliner from a major airline to a university client's aviation and engineering programs for the training of future pilots and engineers;

Secured $100 million in state funding for the construction of the McNamara Terminal at Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport;

Passed legislation that raised the cap that a Michigan based beer manufacturer could produce each year, allowing it to continue to grow and invest in southwest Michigan while hiring dozens of new employees.

Bret Marr joined MHSA in 2003, and became a member of Muchmore Harrington Smalley & Associates, LLC in 2015. Prior to that, he successfully served as Director of Legislative Affairs for former Governor John Engler. Bret served as the primary contact between the Michigan Legislature and Governor Engler on legislative and appropriations issues. Bret coordinated Michigan's electric restructuring plan in the Legislature as well as the rewrite of Michigan's Telecommunications Act. He also shepherded numerous changes to Michigan's tax structure, including a rewrite of the Brownfield program and streamlining of the tax reverted property process.

Consistently voted one of Lansing's top lobbyists, Bret's focus is now on hospitality, healthcare, transportation and general business issues. He also manages several appropriations issues for MHSA's clients. In recent years, he has successfully secured funding for the Detroit Super Bowl XL Host Committee, state approval of a new events center in the City of Detroit and directed the efforts of a coalition moving Michigan's school start date to after Labor Day.

Prior to serving Governor Engler, Bret was Director of Government Affairs for the Michigan Restaurant Association (MRA). He served as the MRA's Lansing and Washington, D.C. lobbyist and coordinated a strong grass roots program. Bret began his career in the Michigan Senate as Communications Director for the Chair of the Education Committee. While a Senate staff member, he served as policy advisor to the Appropriations Committee and advisor to the Economic Development and Financial Services Committees.

Bret graduated with a bachelor of science in Public Affairs Management from Michigan State University and received his Master's of Public Administration, also from MSU, where he graduated with honors. He served on the Michigan Travel Commission and is a member of the Michigan Political History Society. He also coaches youth soccer and hockey.

Bret is married to Jenna and resides in Okemos with their three children.

Before joining Cornerstone, Frank Chiodo most recently served as Deputy Secretary of State under Iowa Secretary of State Michael Mauro. While with the Iowa Department of Economic Development, Frank worked closely with Governor Tom Vilsack and Lieutenant Governor Sally Pederson to secure passage of the Iowa Values Fund, the largest and most successful economic development program in state history.

Frank also worked on Senator Tom Harkin's 2002 Senate campaign, and in 1999-2000 helped Vice President Al Gore secure a victory in the Iowa Caucuses.

Frank served in the Iowa House of Representatives representing District 67 in Des Moines from 1997 through 2003. He was ranking member of the Commerce Committee and elected as the minority whip.

In 2017, Frank was recognized by the Iowa General Assembly as a Pioneer Lawmaker.

15-20 years

Steve Edwards worked at the White House for President George H.W. Bush, was Chief of Staff to U.S. Senator James Inhofe, and was Chairman of the Oklahoma Republican Party. He currently works in Oklahoma and with the state Attorneys General. Edwards is a lawyer with almost 35 years of experience at the Capitol and in Washington, D.C.

15-20 years

Courtney serves on the boards of directors for Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University and Louisiana Legislative Black Caucus Foundation, Inc. She is a Commissioner on the Louisiana River Pilotage Fee Commission, and a past member of the Reentry Advisory Council. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Southern University and A&M College in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

Courtney launched Courtney Baker & Associates in 2021, consulting with private clients after 15 years in the government relations field. She is a former policy director and development director for the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry, where she successfully lobbied for legislation aimed at improving the state's business climate and coordinated campaign and fundraising events for candidates endorsed by the organization's Political Action Committees, leveraging relationships with donors and a network of advocates. Prior to joining LABI, she served in the Jindal Administration as Legislative Liaison for the Department of Children and Family Services, after working for both Governors Kathleen Blanco and Mike Foster.