Penn Lincoln Strategies is a full-service government relations and public affairs consulting firm that specializes in utilizing the decades of experience its team brings to your company or association's needs. Whether it's executing a comprehensive legislative agenda or managing a communications crisis PLS is prepared to give you and your matter the attention and dedication it needs to achieve the level of success you expect.

15-20 years

Penn Lincoln Strategies has fostered many relationships with members of the Connecticut legislature, General Assembly staffers, the Office of the Governor, the Office of the Attorney General, the Secretary of State and agency heads.

Chris, as the Founder and CEO of Penn Lincoln Strategies, LLC (PLS), oversees government relations and strategic communications for his firms' multitude of clients. PLS specializes in providing its clients with streamlined and precise consultation for all of their public affairs and advocacy needs. The firm advises client interests before state legislatures around the country, specializing primarily in the Connecticut legislature while, for some clients, managing their day-to-day association operations and providing strategic communications counsel on how to manage press inquiries and crisis communications/public relations.

PLS, established by Chris in 2016, is a full service firm that is proud of the commitment and professionalism it provides its clients.

Before PLS' founding, Chris worked as the Director of Government Relations for Connecticut based company, TicketNetwork, overseeing and managing the company's government relations for all 50 states and the federal government. In concert with the company's legal department and C-Suite, Chris oversaw a robust consultation and travel budget while managing a network of nearly two dozen national government relations and public relations consultants and professionals.

Prior to joining TicketNetwork in 2015, Chris spent over twelve years with the government relations firm Tobin, Carberry, O'Malley, Riley and Salinger (TCORS) a Hartford, CT based firm that specializes in association management and government relations. In the role of Principal, Chris led daily legislative management for dozens of clients on wide ranging issues from environmental regulation to state budgetary issues, gambling issues to freedom of press matters before the Connecticut State Legislature.

Chris got his start in the political field nearly twenty years ago as a political and campaign consultant on numerous successful local and statewide races in Connecticut.

Chris has a B.S. in Political Science from Ohio Dominican University and currently lives in West Hartford, CT with his wife, Maureen, their son Jake and the family dog, Ripken. Chris is an avid Ohio State Buckeyes fan and believes that Die Hard is absolutely a Christmas movie.

"My passion is working with a variety of clients from different industries, ranging from cities to the private sector to the not-for-profit world. It's all about finding wins for the client, and Sullivan & LeShane gives me the opportunity to do that on a daily basis."

0-5 years

Past president of CT Conference of Municipalities

Recipient of Connecticut Magazine's "Forty under 40" award.

While serving as Mayor, passed municipal budgets, negotiated union contracts, deal with numerous crisis' and natural disasters.

Recognized on several fronts for achievements within the municipal sector. Also served as the Government Affairs Director for a multi-state waste and recycling company dealing with municipal and state policy.

  • The team at Sullivan & LeShane has provided The Toy Association with outstanding representation. They have a deep understanding of the legislative and regulatory environment and have consistently delivered results on tough issues. They understand our concerns and communicate it accurately to the relevant decision-makers. They are credible, ethical and attentive to client needs. I would recommend them to anyone looking for representation in Connecticut. - Matthew Lenz, Director of State Government Affairs, The Toy Association
  • Sullivan & LeShane has been a valued partner of ours for many years. They have the relationships and know-how to navigate complex legislative issues and deliver results on behalf of their client. With decades of experience, their entire team is committed to truly understanding the issues that matter to us most and working collaboratively to educate legislators and develop public policy solutions. It's clear that they are well-respected in the halls of the capitol, and they have been an absolute pleasure to work with over the years. - Nick Martin, Director of Public Affairs and Communication, Coca-Cola Beverages Northeast
  • While SHI has been a vendor, working with the State of Connecticut since 1991, we engaged Sullivan & LeShane in 2018. We were looking to get better aligned with the State, and to navigate some roadblocks we had been encountering. It has been a great relationship, and we have had many "wins" that have helped advance SHI strategically within the State. The information and experience that Mike and his team lend to us is invaluable. - Barbara West, Regional Director, SHI
  • Was elected as the youngest mayor in the state at age 22.

    Served eight years in office as Mayor of the Town of Torrington.

    Penn Lincoln Strategies is a full-service government relations and public affairs consulting firm that specializes in utilizing the decades of experience its team brings to your company or association's needs. Whether it's executing a comprehensive legislative agenda or managing a communications crisis PLS is prepared to give you and your matter the attention and dedication it needs to achieve the level of success you expect.

    15-20 years

    Penn Lincoln Strategies has fostered many relationships with members of the Connecticut legislature, General Assembly staffers, the Office of the Governor, the Office of the Attorney General, the Secretary of State and agency heads.

    Liam's background involves a wide range of experience in government relations, public service, and politics. Liam has worked on both national and statewide campaigns, and lobbied on the local, state and national levels.

    Prior to joining Penn Lincoln Strategies, LLC in 2017, Liam served as the Director of Government Relations and Political Affairs at ConnCAN, the state's largest education advocacy organization. In that role, Liam coordinated and directed ConnCAN's diverse legislative agenda at the federal, state and local levels. Additionally, Liam worked in tandem with the organization's leadership and various coalitions to develop strategies that improved educational outcomes for Connecticut students.

    Before Liam joined ConnCAN, Liam worked for former U.S. Senator Christopher J. Dodd in his district legislative office and Presidential campaign in Iowa and New Hampshire. Liam also supported the Connecticut Senate President Pro Tempore's office where he monitored the Majority's legislative proposals and worked on several key legislative campaigns. Additionally, Liam has worked with a wide range of clients from nonprofit organizations to major utility companies and has had several legislative victories ranging from helping pass the State's nationally recognized Minority Teacher Recruitment legislation, authorizing Electric Bikes in Connecticut and establishing the State's Hemp program.

    Liam is a member of the Town Council in West Hartford. Liam is also a founding board member of Active City, a Hartford based non-profit group centered around getting 600+ kids in the area active in youth sports. Liam lives in West Hartford with his wife, Whitney and their children Rory and Claire.