11-15 years

Dr. Baker was named an Alumni Fellow at the Penn State University and delivered the commencement address at the College of Agricultural Sciences spring graduation. She also received the prestigious Medal of Honor Award from the Philadelphia Society for the Promotion of Agriculture (PSPA), the oldest (1785) continuously operating agricultural society in the country. PSPA was involved in establishing the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture. In addition, Baker was honored with the esteemed Jefferson Award by the Penn Ag Democrats.

Baker was appointed during the Rendell administration to work in the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture . While there, she directed the educational outreach for the Department.

Dr. Baker owns Versant Strategies, a premier governmental affairs firm focused on agricultural, education, environmental, and rural issues. Versant has represented dozens of clients in the Harrisburg and DC marketplace ranging from small farms and businesses to Fortune 500 companies.

Previously, Baker served in the executive office of the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture. While there, she directed the educational outreach for the Department using the knowledge, skills, and traits she perfected during her 20 years behind a teacher’s desk at secondary and post-secondary institutions. Baker served as a faculty member at Penn State, an adjunct professor at North Carolina State University, and was the first woman elected as president of the National Association of Agricultural Educators. She is known across the nation as a published author and columnist with frequent engagements as a motivational keynote speaker and workshop presenter.

MeeCee, husband Jim Garofalo, a retired PA State Police Major who now works with USDA Investigation and Enforcement, and daughter Libby, a former state FFA president (Future Farmers' of America) and current Penn State student, live on the Baker homestead farm in Juniata County.

20+ years

By any yardstick, Aaron Read and Associates is recognized as one of the premier lobbying firms in Sacramento. Whether it's based on annual billings or word of mouth referrals, ARA is at the top of the list. In addition, ARA has been listed as one of the top-ranked lobby firms in Capitol Weekly, a well-known publication, since they started their rankings 10 years ago.

Aaron Read and Associates' (ARA) services run the gamut of all types and aspects of Governmental Representation including the Administration, the Legislature and each of its committees, and regulatory agencies. In addition, ARA provides consulting on government procurement issues. Our sister company, Marketplace Communications, provides a full range of public affairs services including social media, campaigns, video and audio productions, and strategy to achieve your goals. Marketplace Communications has won numerous Pollie Awards from the American Association of Political Consultants.

Steve Baker joined ARA in 1990 and represents several professional groups and corporations. Prior to coming to Aaron Read & Associates, Steve had an executive role with a labor-management consulting firm headquartered in Sacramento. He has been involved in all aspects of association development, including membership recruitment, public relations, coalition building, and representational activities.Steve specializes in working on energy, utility, labor, transportation, regulatory and environmental issues. He also has extensive experience in working on the State Budget. Steve has worked in a variety of candidate campaigns as well as on statewide ballot measures. He is highly respected for both his lobbying skills and his ability to articulate verbally and in writing the concerns of our clients.

ARA is unique. We represent numerous firefighters, law enforcement and labor groups, as well as fortune 500 companies, corporations and large trade associations. As a result of our diverse client base, we build relationships with Democratic and Republican lawmakers during their campaigns, long before they are elected to office

20+ years

Professional Highlights

Legislative Director to Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy, responsible for leading the administration's legislative and public policy agenda

Infrastructure Investment Coordinator, managing Alaska's implementation of the $1.2 trillion federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA)

AVP Government Relations for the University of Alaska, managing federal, state, and local affairs

VP External Affairs & Government Relations for the Alaska Gasline Development Corporation

State Director for U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski and policy advisor in her Washington D.C office

Senior budget and appropriations staff for the Alaska Senate Finance Committee

Chief of Staff to State Senator Bert Stedman

Six-Sigma Black Belt at NBC Entertainment

National Director of Sales and Marketing at Sony-BMG Music

U.S. Marine Corps logistics officer

Research partner with the Study of Environmental Arctic Change (SEARCH) at UAF's International Arctic Research Center

Adjunct Professor of Strategic Management at the University of Alaska Anchorage, College of Business and Public Policy

B.S. in Ocean Engineering from the U.S. Naval Academy and an MBA from UCLA's Anderson School of Management

Veteran, U.S. Marine Corps Officer and U.S. Naval Academy graduate
State Director, U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski
Legislative Director, Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy
Senior Budget and Appropriations Staff, Senate Finance Committee
VP External Affairs, Alaska Gasline Development Corporation
VP Government Relations, University of Alaska System
Six Sigma Blackbelt, NBC Entertainment
Director of Sales & Marketing, Sony/BMG Music
Research partner, Study of Environmental Arctic Change (SEARCH) at UAF's International Arctic Research Center
Adjunct Professor of Strategic Management , University of Alaska Anchorage, College of Business and Public Policy

Miles Baker is a second-generation Alaskan with 20+ years of experience in public policy, government relations, and strategic communications in the state. He has held leadership roles in the executive, legislative and congressional branches of government, and managed complex policy initiatives through a range of public and legislative processes. He is founder and Managing Principal of Miles Baker Alaska, a Juneau and Anchorage based lobbying and strategic consulting firm.

He was State Director for U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski, Legislative Director for Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy, VP Government Relations for the University of Alaska System, VP External Affairs for the Alaska Gasline Development Corporation, and a senior budget and appropriations staffer to the Alaska State Senate.

Miles was an entertainment executive in Los Angeles, a Six-Sigma Black Belt at NBC Entertainment, and National Director of Sales and Marketing with Sony-BMG's classical and jazz division. He began his media career in artist development at Island Records and Arista Records.

A former U.S. Marine Corps Captain, Miles holds a BS in Ocean Engineering from the U.S. Naval Academy and MBA from UCLA's Anderson School of Management.

15-20 years

Dr. Baker was named an Alumni Fellow at the Penn State University and delivered the commencement address at the College of Agricultural Sciences spring graduation. She also received the prestigious Medal of Honor Award from the Philadelphia Society for the Promotion of Agriculture (PSPA), the oldest (1785) continuously operating agricultural society in the country. PSPA was involved in establishing the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture. In addition, Baker was honored with the esteemed Jefferson Award by the Penn Ag Democrats.

Baker was appointed during the Rendell administration to work in the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture . While there, she directed the educational outreach for the Department.

Dr. Baker owns Versant Strategies, a premier governmental affairs firm focused on agricultural, education, environmental, and rural issues. Versant has represented dozens of clients in the Harrisburg and DC marketplace ranging from small farms and businesses to Fortune 500 companies.

Previously, Baker served in the executive office of the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture. While there, she directed the educational outreach for the Department using the knowledge, skills, and traits she perfected during her 20 years behind a teacher’s desk at secondary and post-secondary institutions. Baker served as a faculty member at Penn State, an adjunct professor at North Carolina State University, and was the first woman elected as president of the National Association of Agricultural Educators. She is known across the nation as a published author and columnist with frequent engagements as a motivational keynote speaker and workshop presenter.

MeeCee, husband Jim Garofalo, a retired PA State Police Major who now works with USDA Investigation and Enforcement, and daughter Libby, a former state FFA president (Future Farmers' of America) and current Penn State student, live on the Baker homestead farm in Juniata County.

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.