I provide Preti Strategies' clients a wealth of experience in advocacy, policy development, politics, business and education. Prior to joining Preti Strategies, I served as president of the New Hampshire state Senate and previously held numerous leadership positions in both the Senate and House during my 10 years in the legislature. I offer our clients strategic and tactical advice based on first-hand experience navigating myriad policy and political considerations. My business background includes serving as Executive Director of the state's largest public employee health insurance risk pool and several start-up companies, one of which I led to a position on the Inc. 500 list of fastest growing companies in America. I also taught high school math for several years and served 18 years on my local school board, 12 of those years as chairman.
Our entire Preti Strategies team is made up of government "insiders" who have served many years as elected or administration officials or senior level advisors. Together, we have extensive knowledge and an extensive network of connections. We've spent our careers in government and public affairs, and we love putting our experience to work for our clients to help shape policy and advance important business interests.
0-5 years
Interceded on behalf of a client with a state agency to resolve compliance matters, working directly with the agency commissioner. In the next budget, successfully appealed the agency's insufficient 5% proposed daily rate increase for the provided services, which resulted in an increase of 37%.
Blocked a state agency's efforts to prevent a client's association members from continuing to conduct business in New Hampshire.
Opened up new opportunities for a renewable energy client by shepherding a bill we created for them through the legislative process to the governor's desk for signature.
As Senate president, I guided policy discussions and negotiations on all major policy issues, including renewable energy, insurance, business regulation and retirement system reform.
Led Senate efforts on budgets for four fiscal years, one of which erased a projected $800 million budget deficit without raising taxes or fees.
Led the Senate Republican Caucus to create policy agendas and then developed effective strategy and tactics that resulted in successful implementation of that agenda, even with a governor of the opposing party.
Senior Policy Advisor at Preti Strategies
Legislative:
President, NH State Senate
Minority Leader, NH State Senate
State Senator - Committee Assignments Included: Commerce; Education (Chair); Energy and Natural Resources; Finance; Health and Human Services; Internal Affairs
Clerk, House Election Law Committee
Business:
Executive Director, HealthTrust (health insurance and public employee benefits risk pool, covering over 70,000 lives)
President and co-Founder, Achieve! Technology (an Inc. 500 company developing regulatory compliance software)
Education:
UMass-Lowell, BS Computer Science
As a former NH State Senator, I bring a strong knowledge of the legislative process, and am nimble in working the interplay between the legislature and NH Administrative agencies. Because of my long career in healthcare administration and policy development, I was the "go to" for issues surrounding healthcare and those issues that required intense Administrative Agency involvement. My reputation is one of building and maintaining excellent relationships with legislators of both parties, Department Heads and influential state employees. I have had long and significant involvement with key nonprofit agencies across the state and have been frequently recognized for my community work.
Our entire Preti Strategies team is made up of government "insiders" who have served many years as elected or administration officials or senior level advisors. Together, we have extensive knowledge and an extensive network of connections. We've spent our careers in government and public affairs, and we love putting our experience to work for our clients to help shape policy and advance important business interests.
0-5 years
In the NH Senate, engaged in policy negotiations with the Legislature, Governor, and Administrative Departments
Worked with Senate majority leadership to set and refine a legislative agenda
Served on several influential Senate committees including Health and Humans Services, Ways and
Means, Transportation, and Education.
Played an integral role in passing numerous bipartisan bills related to health, education, and transportation.
As a leader in healthcare, influenced statewide legislative and policy development.
Policy Advisor at Preti Strategies
Healthcare Consultant, CompassWise Consulting
Accreditation and Medicare Site Visitor, CHAP
President and CEO, Home Health and Hospice Care, Merrimack NH
Education:
Boston University, BS MS
From Concord intern to Concord insider, I've spent my whole career fostering relationships within New Hampshire's Legislature, Executive Branch, and the Republican political apparatus. I have a reputation for providing clear, effective guidance to corporations, nonprofits, & trade associations. I've successfully developed and executed legislative strategies, public affairs campaigns, political campaigns, grassroots & grass tops lobbying, and procurement efforts on behalf of a wide range of clients. I'm proficient in the legislative process and have delivered victories for clients in an array of industries - healthcare, energy, gaming, commerce, criminal justice, tobacco, transportation, and agriculture
Through my experience and my network, I help my clients and their message be in the right place, at the right time, with the right audience.
Our entire Preti Strategies team is made up of government "insiders" who have served many years as elected or administration officials or senior level advisors. Together, we have extensive knowledge and an extensive network of connections. We've spent our careers in government and public affairs, and we love putting our experience to work for our clients to help shape policy and advance important business interests.
6-10 years
Built a proven record of winning tough floor fights in New Hampshire's 400-member House of Representatives on a myriad of issues.
I've stopped harmful committee recommendations, overturned committee votes, adopted emergency floor amendments, used creative solutions to stop legislation from advancing, and scripted floor fights and debates for members.
Passed the region's most aggressive biodiesel production credit into law and guided the state's largest biodiesel producer through the entirety of the process from drafting to rulemaking. I then advocated for loosening of regulations on the use of biodiesel by large energy consumers and the state government to further increase the client's potential revenues.
As a freshman lobbyist, I was named "Rookie of the Year" by my colleagues.
I worked with a coalition of healthcare providers and lobbyists to stop a workers' compensation fee schedule. Our efforts successfully overturned the House Labor committee's recommendation on the House floor to pass the coalition's desired floor amendment which was signed into law. The client's amendment has since lowered worker's compensation costs by ~10% and did so without a fee schedule.
I have guided clients through successful issue advocacy campaigns during the First in the Nation primary. Deliverables involved getting Presidential candidates on the record, one-on-one meetings with candidates or senior level staff, grassroots organizing, event planning, press opportunities, and earned media for the client.
Served as the State Director to the New Hampshire Energy Forum where I provided grass tops lobbying and communications consulting to one of the nation's largest energy trade associations; I was instrumental in successfully changing Federal laws and Executive guidelines surrounding ozone and air quality regulations, energy exports, and energy infrastructure.
Provided strategic communications consulting for state legislators and stakeholders to lobby New Hampshire's Federal delegation to change mandates in the Affordable Care Act on behalf of a coalition of insurance providers. Our coalition was victorious in these efforts.
I've worked as a political & fundraising consultant to numerous State Senators, Executive Councilors, State Representatives, and County officials.
Work Experience:
Government and Public Affairs Advisor, Preti Strategies, Concord, NH, December 2019 to Present
Government Relations Advisor, Dennehy & Bouley, Concord, NH, December 2014 to November 2019
New Hampshire Field Organizer, Republican National Committee, 2014
Bill Status Aide, New Hampshire State Senate Clerk's Office, 2013
Political Experience:
Republican Political & Fundraising Consultant for State Senators, Executive Councilors, State Representatives and County officials, 2014- Present
Vice Chairman- Region 2, New Hampshire Republican State Committee, 2017-2018
Voting Member, New Hampshire Republican State Committee, 2014-Current
Education:
University of New Hampshire, BA, Political Science
I've spent my career in New Hampshire state government and politics, both as a high-level government insider and as a statewide policy director and field organizer. In my years as Communications and Policy Director for the Speaker of the NH House of Representatives, I played an integral role in shaping policy on a range of issues including education, environment, and labor, and have worked closely with nearly all the legislative Committees. I also served as point person for all budget related matters and all issues that came before the Joint Fiscal Committee, and have in-depth insight into how these negotiations and processes work.
I also have a decade of experience in election law and voting rights issues in New Hampshire. Through this work I've forged relationships with officials in the State House and around the state, and have built one of the leading coalition groups in NH. In all of my political and government work, I have a strong bipartisan record and close relationships with Democrats and Republicans at all levels of state government.
Our entire Preti Strategies team is made up of government "insiders" who have served many years as elected or administration officials or senior level advisors. Together, we have extensive knowledge and an extensive network of connections. We've spent our careers in government and public affairs, and we love putting our experience to work for our clients to help shape policy and advance important business interests.
6-10 years
Worked with legislators to pass and hold votes on the 2018 Budget out of the House. Only two House Democrats voted against the final budget.
Worked with labor leaders and community partners on the committee vote and floor fight to kill so called right to work in 2014 and 2016.
Worked with the Speaker's Leadership team to shape the Agenda for House Democrats.
Served as point staff person for the Speaker during budget negotiations with the Governor and his staff.
Scripted floor speeches and scripted questions for committee members during key hearings.
Created the New Hampshire Campaign for Voting Rights which continues to be the leading voice on voting rights issues in the state.
Government Affairs Advisor, Preti Strategies.
Communications and Policy Director, NH Speaker of the House.
Political and Field Director, America Votes New Hampshire.
Education: B.A. Political Science, Emmanuel College. Boston, MA May 2008.
