Melinda has been with Eiguren Public Policy for four years, and previously spent more than a decade managing the PR Department for Fred Meyer and QFC Stores, the two Northwest divisions of The Kroger Co., where she managed government relations and lobbying, media relations, community donations and sponsorships and the employee volunteer programs in Alaska, Idaho, Oregon and Washington. Prior to that she was with the Portland, Ore. office of international PR firm Hill & Knowlton where she managed accounts for clients big and small ranging from local electric cooperatives to regional cell phone service providers to major crisis clients - including the grocery industry - during labor negotiations. Melinda is adept at advocacy at the local and state levels as well as at reputation and brand management.

Senior Vice President of Government Relations

In his 25 years as a lobbyist, Nello has developed significant experience in the legislative process. As a government affairs professional, his greatest accomplishments have included passing the Medical Cannabis law in Pennsylvania, working on funding for a new arena, passing City of Pittsburgh fiscal bailout, and ensuring provisions in the gaming law for a constant stream of funding for the Pittsburgh International Airport.

Nello focuses on working collaboratively with his clients and keeping them informed throughout the process. He prides himself on being honest with clients and ensuring that their expectations are realistic. He has successfully represented clients in the non-profit, government, development industry, and issue advocacy sectors.

State and Local Lobbying:

Influencing the decisions of government officials for our clients is key to the work that we do. Whether we're standing beside our client, or advocating on their behalf, we remain focused on policies, legislation, or regulations that are integral to each organization's interest.

Because of the experience of our team, we approach each issue and challenge separately. We're empathetic, sensing where there is great need. We value the work that our clients do and understand our own roles in this process. We always strive to learn and know more about the issues that are important to our clients, recognize the challenges that they face, try to find common ground, manage expectations, are creative in our problem-solving, and put all of our skills and talents to work for our clients, working smarter to great success.

Having insight into operations at a local level is just as important when clients interact with their local or county government daily. In some cases, those interactions may be even more impactful to organizations who work with C & G Strategies.

Each of our team members boasts decades of experience in government and uses that background to great effect for clients. No matter the issue or interest, C & G can provide clients with information, a deep understanding of the process they're navigating, observations relevant to their work, and solutions that may be unconventional. At the heart of all of that work is the client goals.

State and Local Lobbying:

Influencing the decisions of government officials for our clients is key to the work that we do. Whether we're standing beside our client, or advocating on their behalf, we remain focused on policies, legislation, or regulations that are integral to each organization's interest.

Because of the experience of our team, we approach each issue and challenge separately. We're empathetic, sensing where there is great need. We value the work that our clients do and understand our own roles in this process. We always strive to learn and know more about the issues that are important to our clients, recognize the challenges that they face, try to find common ground, manage expectations, are creative in our problem-solving, and put all of our skills and talents to work for our clients, working smarter to great success.

Having insight into operations at a local level is just as important when clients interact with their local or county government daily. In some cases, those interactions may be even more impactful to organizations who work with C & G Strategies.

Each of our team members boasts decades of experience in government and uses that background to great effect for clients. No matter the issue or interest, C & G can provide clients with information, a deep understanding of the process they're navigating, observations relevant to their work, and solutions that may be unconventional. At the heart of all of that work is the client goals.

Senior Policy Director

With over a decade of experience in government relations, Don has honed his skills in legislative and regulatory tracking, research, firm communications, and lobbying. His clients have ranged from Fortune 500 companies to non-profit organizations.

His roles have provided him opportunities to spearhead grassroots campaigns, shape legislative agendas, direct political action committee initiatives, and lobby. He also previously served in lobbying and government relations roles in statewide associations.

Paladin Consulting Group LLC is a full-service, integrated public affairs firm based in Madison, WI. Our issue management team brings all available resources to bear to help advance our clients' cause. We are more than lobbyists or consultants. We are strategists with a comprehensive approach to problem solving and issue navigation.

Firm Specialties:
Our integrated approach chooses from a menu of offerings to craft the best possible recipe for our clients' success. We specialize in issue management, lobbying, strategic consulting, procurement, political positioning, grassroots, grass tops, public relations strategy, and corporate and organizational consulting.

The breadth and depth of our political connections ensure that our clients will always be well positioned. Our firm's combined relationships are simply second to none. We know what needs to be done, who needs to be involved, how to coordinate all appropriate resources, and when and where to concentrate our effort.

Senior Vice President of Communications

Amie's 25 years of experience in communications and government includes 12 years in an executive leadership position reflecting significant responsibility for establishing and implementing goals, policies, procedures, strategic direction, and engagement initiatives. In her roles with local, county and state governments, she has navigated complex environments, developed and maintained strong bipartisan relationships, and interacted effectively with journalists in local, state, and national outlets.

Amie thrives on challenges and is skilled at handling media relations, crisis communications, message development, communications plans, coordinated media and public service campaigns, and public announcements. She is well known for her collaborative work with both internal and external stakeholders and has a proven ability to convey highly complex information in clear, compelling ways. Amie's experience in launching initiatives and creating procedural and organizational processes also serves clients well.

Senior Policy Director

Involved in state government for over 20 years, Andrew brings a vast skill set to the table including government relations strategy development, research and analysis, lobbying, legislative drafting, beverage alcohol policy, economic modeling, transportation policy, gaming policy, and higher education policy.

Prior to joining Dentons Cohen & Grigsby and its successor firm C & G Strategies, Andrew served as research director for a political campaign, a legislative liaison for a state row office, executive deputy director of policy and planning within the state executive branch, executive director of the State Tax Equalization Board (STEB), and the founder and principal of Four Lights Research Solutions.

Co-Founder/ Managing Partner

With more than 25 years of experience in government, public affairs, and strategic communications, David comes from The Caliguiri Group, a firm he founded in 2011. After successfully managing several political campaigns, David was also an integral part of Pittsburgh First's campaign for a Pennsylvania state gaming license.

Prior to launching his own firm, David was a lobbyist representing clients before local and state governments. He is an active member of the Pittsburgh community and sits on the boards of several nonprofit organizations serving the region.