I began my career in Delaware politics managing the successful mayoral campaign of James Baker in Wilmington and went on to serve as a senior advisor, helping lead multiple re-election efforts. I've also worked at the state and national level, including leading the Delaware Democratic Party's Coordinated Campaign and serving as a National Committeeman. In 2005, I founded Ruggerio Willson Watson, which has grown into one of Delaware's top government relations firms. Today, I also serve as Interim Head of Government Relations at the University of Delaware and teach lobbying and influence at the Biden School of Public Policy. Throughout my career, I've focused on building strong relationships and delivering strategic advocacy that drives results.
1) ABILITY NETWORK OF DELAWARE
2) ALLIANCE OF AUTOMOBILE MANUFACTURERS INC.
4) AMERICAN COUNCIL OF ENGINEERING COS.
5) AMERICAN MASSAGE THERAPY ASSOC.
7) APPLE INC.
8) ARMORY FILMS
9) ARTESIAN RESOURCES AND ITS AFFLILIATES
10) ASSOCIATION FOR ACCESSIBLE MEDICINES
11) ASSOCIATION OF COASTAL TOWNS
12) ATHLETICO PHYSICAL THERAPY
14) BRAVEN
16) CABLE TV ASSOCIATION OF MD & DE
17) CARFAX INC.
20) CHEMICAL INDUSTRY COUNCIL OF DELAWARE INC.
21) CHRISTIANA CARE CORPORATION
22) CNH INDUSTRIAL AMERICA LLC
23) COMCAST CORP. AND ITS AFFILIATES
24) COMMUNITY EDUCATION BUILDING
25) CONDUENT INC. AND ITS AFFILIATES
26) CORRECTIONAL OFFICER'S ASSN. OF DELAWARE
27) CRODA INC.
28) DAILY PAY
29) DELAWARE ASSOCIATION OF INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS
30) DELAWARE ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS
32) DELAWARE CHARTER SCHOOL NETWORK
33) DELAWARE CITY REFINING COMPANY
34) DELAWARE COMPENSATION RATING BUREAU INC.
35) DELAWARE HEALTH CARE FACILITIES ASSOCIATION
36) DELAWARE HOTEL LODGING ASSN.
37) DELAWARE PARK MANAGEMENT COMPANY LLC AND ITS AFFILIATES
38) DELAWARE POLICE CHIEFS COUNCIL INC
43) EVERYTOWN FOR GUN SAFETY ACTION FUND
44) FAITHFUL FRIENDS
45) FMC CORPORATION
46) GAUDENZIA INC.
47) HEALTHCARE DISTRIBUTION ALLIANCE C/O MULTISTATE ASSOCIATION LLC
49) HI-CONE
50) HOME BUILDER ASSN. OF DELAWARE
51) IMPACT LIFE INC.
52) INTERNATIONAL LONGEVITY MARKETS ASSOC.
53) KENT SUSSEX LEADERSHIP ALLIANCE
55) KOOTH USA LLC
56) METRC
57) MODAXO TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT USA INC.
58) NATIONAL PROFESSIONAL EMPLOYER ORGANIZATIONS (NAPEO)
61) OPHELIA
62) ORSTED
65) REHOBOTH-DEWEY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
66) RHETT RUGGERIO GOVERNMENT RELATIONS LLC
67) RICHARDS LAYTON & FINGER P.A.
68) RUGGERIO WILLSON & ASSOCIATES LLC.
71) STUBHUB
75) UNITE USA INC. DBA UNITE US
77) UNITED MUSLIM ASSOCIATION OF DELAWARE
78) UNIVERSITY OF DELAWARE - OFFICE OF GOVERNMENT RELATIONS
80) VSP VISION INC. C/O MUTLISTATE ASSOCIATES LLC
82) XEROX BUSINESS SERVICES LLC AND ITS AFFILIATES
83) ZSCALER
20+ years
I've been passionate about politics and public policy for as long as I can remember, with experience across government, campaigns, nonprofit work, and the private sector. I started my career with the Delaware Volunteer Firemen's Association, then went on to serve as Scheduler and Executive Assistant to U.S. Senator Tom Carper, where I gained firsthand experience in federal operations and stakeholder engagement. Since then, I've worked on statewide campaigns, led education reform efforts, and most recently directed government relations for Valero Energy in Delaware, where I represented the company at all levels of government and helped navigate complex policy challenges. Today, I leverage that experience to build strong relationships and drive effective advocacy strategies that deliver results.
1) ABILITY NETWORK OF DELAWARE
2) ALLIANCE OF AUTOMOBILE MANUFACTURERS INC.
4) AMERICAN COUNCIL OF ENGINEERING COS.
5) AMERICAN MASSAGE THERAPY ASSOC.
7) APPLE INC.
8) ARMORY FILMS
9) ARTESIAN RESOURCES AND ITS AFFLILIATES
10) ASSOCIATION FOR ACCESSIBLE MEDICINES
11) ASSOCIATION OF COASTAL TOWNS
12) ATHLETICO PHYSICAL THERAPY
14) BRAVEN
16) CABLE TV ASSOCIATION OF MD & DE
19) CHEMICAL INDUSTRY COUNCIL OF DELAWARE INC.
20) CHRISTIANA CARE CORPORATION
21) CNH INDUSTRIAL AMERICA LLC
22) COMCAST CORP. AND ITS AFFILIATES
23) COMMUNITY EDUCATION BUILDING
24) CONDUENT INC. AND ITS AFFILIATES
25) CORRECTIONAL OFFICER'S ASSN. OF DELAWARE
26) CRODA INC.
27) DAILY PAY
28) DELAWARE ASSOCIATION OF INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS
29) DELAWARE ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS
31) DELAWARE CHARTER SCHOOL NETWORK
32) DELAWARE CITY REFINING COMPANY
33) DELAWARE COMPENSATION RATING BUREAU INC.
34) DELAWARE HEALTH CARE FACILITIES ASSOCIATION
35) DELAWARE HOTEL LODGING ASSN.
36) DELAWARE PARK MANAGEMENT COMPANY LLC AND ITS AFFILIATES
37) DELAWARE POLICE CHIEFS COUNCIL INC
38) DELAWARE RESTAURANT ASSOCIATION
43) FAITHFUL FRIENDS
44) FMC CORPORATION
45) GAUDENZIA INC.
46) HEALTHCARE DISTRIBUTION ALLIANCE C/O MULTISTATE ASSOCIATION LLC
48) HI-CONE
49) HOME BUILDER ASSN. OF DELAWARE
50) IMPACT LIFE INC.
51) INTERNATIONAL LONGEVITY MARKETS ASSOC.
52) KENT SUSSEX LEADERSHIP ALLIANCE
54) KOOTH USA LLC
55) LOWDIGITTAGS.COM
56) METRC
57) MODAXO TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT USA INC.
58) NATIONAL PROFESSIONAL EMPLOYER ORGANIZATIONS (NAPEO)
61) OPHELIA
62) ORSTED
65) REHOBOTH-DEWEY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
66) RHETT RUGGERIO GOVERNMENT RELATIONS LLC
67) RICHARDS LAYTON & FINGER P.A.
68) RUGGERIO WILLSON & ASSOCIATES LLC.
71) STUBHUB
75) UNITE USA INC. DBA UNITE US
77) UNITED MUSLIM ASSOCIATION OF DELAWARE
78) UNIVERSITY OF DELAWARE - OFFICE OF GOVERNMENT RELATIONS
80) VSP VISION INC. C/O MUTLISTATE ASSOCIATES LLC
82) XEROX BUSINESS SERVICES LLC AND ITS AFFILIATES
83) ZSCALER
15-20 years
In 2022, Kim and the RWW team were named some of the most influential Delawareans in politics by the Delaware News Journal.
Named to the 40 under 40 in 2016
Women in Business Honoree in 2021
Worked with Sen. Tom Carper as a key staffer on his Senate campaign in 2026.
Gubernatorial appointment to the Delaware Community Foundation board.
Worked on various campaigns in a fundraising position.
Kim Willson has been interested in politics for as long as she can remember and comes to Ruggerio Willson & Associates with extensive experience. Her diverse background, which covers statewide and Senatorial campaigns, local community organizations and work in the non-profit sector as well as Fortune 500 companies positions her as an immediate contributor to the success of RWW.
Kim's first foray into local politics started in college when she began working for the Delaware Volunteer Firemen's Association's (DVFA) administration. Her role with the DVFA provided Kim with first-hand knowledge of how local organizations and governments work together. It also gave her hands-on experience in cultivating those relationships, which is a skill vital to success in all aspects of government relations. Kim's next step was into national politics, serving as State Scheduler and Executive Assistant for United States Senator Tom Carper (D-DE). During this time, Kim was in daily communication with the Senator and served as the first point of contact for anyone trying to schedule meetings or events with him. She worked with both the Delaware and Washington, D.C. staff, and played an integral role in Senator Carper's successful 2006 Senate Re-Election Campaign.
Kim then entered the non-profit sector as the Program Manager for Vision 2015, an education reform program focused on transforming public education in Delaware to a world-class status. During her tenure with Vision 2015, Kim's daily interactions were with various school officials, the Department of Education, the University of Delaware Provosts, as well as state, local, and federal elected officials to further the mission, gain support, and work towards securing funding to continue the growth of the program.
Following her time with Vision 2015, Kim returned to the political campaign arena, serving as Regional Field Director in Kent County (DE) for the 2008 Delaware Democratic Party Coordinated Campaign. While there, Kim worked intimately with local, state, and federal elected officials and party leaders to ensure a Democratic win from the presidential race to the local offices, along with helping to secure a democratic majority in the Delaware House of Representatives.
Most recently, Kim led Government Relations for Valero Energy Corporation, a Fortune 500 company, in Delaware. During her tenure with Valero, Kim served as the face of Valero in Delaware, representing the company in the community but also working with members of Delaware's government on all levels, including the congressional delegation, State House of Representatives, State Senate, various state agencies, and the office of the governor. Kim worked to educate all parties about the refinery. She also helped to pull together union and state business leaders in order to stop a piece of legislation that would have cost Valero several million dollars.
Kim is married with two daughters. She is very involved with the local organization, Gals that Give. Aside from the beach, her favorite hang-outs are the local Crossfit box and yummy locally-owned restaurants.
609-577-3687
222 West State St Suite 211, Trenton, NJ, 08608,
Subjects: All Subjects
Links:Website
Eric is a highly accomplished senior executive, consultant, attorney, lobbyist and board member with 20 years of success in public policy, politics, law, government, healthcare, financial services, transportation and the nonprofit sector. He previously held a position as an associate at Drinker Biddle & Reath where he helped start the government relations and lobbying group.
1) AMERIGROUP
2) ANTHEM INC AND ITS AFFILIATES DBA AMERIGROUP NJ
3) ASSOCIATED BUILDERS & CONTRACTORS (ABC) OF NJ CHAPTER
7) CHSPSC LLC
10) CRICKET COMMUNICATIONS INC/LEAP WIRELESS INTERNATIONAL INC
12) DUANE MORRIS GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS LLC
13) ERICKSON RETIREMENT COMMUNITIES
14) FAIRMOUNT CAPITAL ADVISORS
15) FOREIGN LANGUAGE EDUCATORS OF NEW JERSEY
16) GLOBALPRIVATEEQUITY.COM INC
22) JPMORGAN CHASE HOLDINGS LLC
23) KS ENGINEERS
24) M/A COM
20+ years
In 2017, Governor-elect Phil Murphy selected Eric to serve on the Human Services Committee for his transition team. During that same year, he was nominated by Kentucky State Senator Jimmy Higdon and commissioned by Kentucky Governor Matt Bevin to become a Kentucky Colonel.
In 2004, Eric was nominated by New Jersey Governor Jim McGreevey to serve on the South Jersey Port Corporation's Board of Directors, which is responsible for the development of port facilities in South New Jersey. Eric was reappointed in 2008 by Governor Corzine and again in 2017 by Governor Chris Christie.
In 2018, Eric was appointed to the Advisory Board of the Burbank International Film Festival.
Eric is also a founding member of the Board of Directors for the NYC Fashion Manufactures Alliance of Design Educators and Save the Garment Center in New York City; a position he's held since 2008.
In 2007, Eric was selected by the American Council of Young Political Leaders, a bi-partisan not-for-profit international exchange organization, as a delegate to Vietnam for a two-week political exchange program. Eric joined six other young political leaders from the U.S. to study Vietnam's political system, engage in dialogue on international issues, and forge professional relationships. He's also participated in international trade missions, including trips to the Netherlands, China and the United Arab Emirates.
Eric was appointed in 2007 by New Jersey Governor Jon Corzine to serve as a member of the Economic Growth Council to assist with statewide economic development policies.
Eric is a former Committee Chairman for the Mercer County College Board of Trustees Advisory Committee and a former member of the Board of Trustees for the Arts & Business Partnership of Southern New Jersey. He's served on the boards of the Mercer County Workforce Investment Board, the Mercer County Economic Development Committee and Junior Achievement. Eric was appointed by Assembly Majority Leader Paul DiGaetano in 2002 to the New Jersey Council of Local Mandates and served as Vice Chairman until 2004.
P.O. Box 1540, Rehoboth Beach, DE, 19971,
1) ABILITY NETWORK OF DELAWARE
2) ALLIANCE OF AUTOMOBILE MANUFACTURERS INC.
4) AMERICAN COUNCIL OF ENGINEERING COS.
5) AMERICAN MASSAGE THERAPY ASSOC.
7) APPLE INC.
8) ARMORY FILMS
9) ARTESIAN RESOURCES AND ITS AFFLILIATES
10) ASSOCIATION FOR ACCESSIBLE MEDICINES
11) ASSOCIATION OF COASTAL TOWNS
12) ATHLETICO PHYSICAL THERAPY
14) BRAVEN
16) CABLE TV ASSOCIATION OF MD & DE
17) CARFAX INC.
19) CHEMICAL INDUSTRY COUNCIL OF DELAWARE INC.
20) CHRISTIANA CARE CORPORATION
21) CNH INDUSTRIAL AMERICA LLC
22) COMCAST CORP. AND ITS AFFILIATES
23) COMMUNITY EDUCATION BUILDING
24) CONDUENT INC. AND ITS AFFILIATES
25) CORRECTIONAL OFFICER'S ASSN. OF DELAWARE
26) CRODA INC.
27) DAILY PAY
28) DELAWARE ASSOCIATION OF INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS
29) DELAWARE ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS
31) DELAWARE CHARTER SCHOOL NETWORK
32) DELAWARE CITY REFINING COMPANY
33) DELAWARE COMPENSATION RATING BUREAU INC.
34) DELAWARE HEALTH CARE FACILITIES ASSOCIATION
35) DELAWARE HOTEL LODGING ASSN.
37) DELAWARE POLICE CHIEFS COUNCIL INC
42) EVERYTOWN FOR GUN SAFETY ACTION FUND
43) FAITHFUL FRIENDS
44) FMC CORPORATION
45) GAUDENZIA INC.
46) HEALTHCARE DISTRIBUTION ALLIANCE C/O MULTISTATE ASSOCIATION LLC
48) HI-CONE
49) HOME BUILDER ASSN. OF DELAWARE
50) IMPACT LIFE INC.
51) INTERNATIONAL LONGEVITY MARKETS ASSOC.
52) KENT SUSSEX LEADERSHIP ALLIANCE
54) KOOTH USA LLC
55) METRC
56) MODAXO TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT USA INC.
57) NATIONAL PROFESSIONAL EMPLOYER ORGANIZATIONS (NAPEO)
60) OPHELIA
61) ORSTED
64) REHOBOTH-DEWEY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
65) RICHARDS LAYTON & FINGER P.A.
66) RUGGERIO WILLSON & ASSOCIATES LLC.
69) STUBHUB
73) UNITE USA INC. DBA UNITE US
75) UNITED MUSLIM ASSOCIATION OF DELAWARE
76) UNIVERSITY OF DELAWARE - OFFICE OF GOVERNMENT RELATIONS
78) VSP VISION INC. C/O MUTLISTATE ASSOCIATES LLC
80) XEROX BUSINESS SERVICES LLC AND ITS AFFILIATES
81) ZSCALER
