15-20 years

Former Mayor of Lincoln
Former Nebraska State Senator for 20 years
Served as Chairman for the:
Health and Human Services Committee
Retirement Committee
Rules Committee
Served as a Member of:
Public Works
Banking, Commerce and Insurance
Transportation and Telecommunications

Don amassed a wealth of experience that he brings to his job as a lobbyist at O'Hara Lindsay. Don delivers results for our clients with integrity, ingenuity and a mastery of public policy.

In 1999, Don Wesely was elected Mayor of Lincoln. As mayor, Don oversaw a budget of $293 million and a staff of more than 2,700 employees. Two of the more significant achievements during his four-year term include the Haymarket Park baseball stadium and the start of the Antelope Valley Project. He declined to run for a second term.

Don was elected to the Unicameral to represent Lincoln's 26th district at the tender age of 24. During his 20 years as a State Senator, he introduced or co-introduced more than 300 bills that successfully became law. He served as a member or chairman of six different committees including 14 years as the Chairman of the Health and Human Services committee.

Don was born in David City, Nebraska, but grew up in Lincoln, and lives there today. He has three grown children, Amanda, Andrew and Sarah; Sarah and her husband, Jay Steinkruger, are the proud parents of Don's grandchildren, Ezra and Evie.

20+ years

Representing Crown, Cork & Seal, Asurion LLC, and the Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District in the passage of affirmative legislative measures by the Nebraska Unicameral Legislature.

With an extensive and varied career history, Ron has played an integral role in many high-profile cases and held important positions in Nebraskan organizations. His experience includes (but is far from limited to) directing Nebraska state legislative affairs for the National Federation of Independent Business, and representing Crown, Cork & Seal, Asurion LLC, and the Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District in the passage of affirmative legislative measures by the Nebraska Unicameral Legislature.

Ron has served as vice chair on the Nebraska Volunteer Service Commission from 2009-2010, as well as continuing his involvement in organizations like the Salvation Army Advisory Board, St. Vincent DePaul Society, and University of Nebraska College of Law. His dedication to his field and the advocacy for his clients are qualities we are thrilled to have represented here at Catalyst Public Affairs.

0-5 years

Former Legislative aide to Senator Brett Lindstrom

Randi Scott is an attorney and lobbyist with more than four years of public policy experience. She has developed a fundamental understanding of the legislative process and a bi-partisan approach to lobbying to help advance clients' legislative agendas in the Unicameral.

Randi represents client interests at the Nebraska legislature and executive branch. She is adept at drafting legislation and devising legislative agendas and is active at the Capitol during session advocating for clients, and garnering support from legislators and other stakeholders. Randi also provides policy analysis and has experience educating constituency groups to inform members about changes that will impact them in proposed or new legislation.

Prior to joining O'Hara Lindsay, Randi served as legislative aide to Senator Brett Lindstrom, who is republican. During that time, she developed a deep understanding of the issues related to retirement, banking and insurance, economic development, taxation and tribal relations. Additionally, she has managed Congressional, Legislative and local campaigns in Nebraska.

She has a strong background in education and spent several years as a teacher in both the Omaha and Lincoln public school systems. She also was a legal intern in the US Department of Education, Office of Civil Rights in 2009.

Randi and her husband, Chris, live in Omaha and are the parents of three children, Sophia, Donovan and Aaron. Randi played volleyball at Peru State College, is a Nebraska and Creighton volleyball fan, and continues to coach youth volleyball.

20+ years

Best Lawyers in America, Government Relations Law, 2009 to present Great Plains Super Lawyer, Government Relations Law, 2009 to present America's Top 100 Attorneys
U.S. News & World Report Best Law Firms in Nebraska

Kim M. Robak served as Lieutenant Governor with Governor Nelson from October 1993 to January 1999.

Kim M. Robak, senior partner, has a background and experience in private practice, state government, and university administration that makes her uniquely qualified to handle projects for a multitude of clients. Robak was a partner in private practice before leaving to serve as Legal Counsel and Chief of Staff to then-Governor and former U.S. Senator Ben Nelson. She served as Lieutenant Governor with Nelson from October 1993 to January 1999.

Following her government service, Robak joined the University of Nebraska as Vice President for External Affairs and Corporation Secretary where she was responsible for public and government relations, marketing, and information technology for the University of Nebraska system. Robak joined Mueller Robak LLC as a partner in December of 2004.

Ms. Robak is a Columbus, Nebraska native. She and her husband, fellow Mueller Robak partner William J. Mueller, have two daughters, Katherine and Claire.

20+ years

Best Lawyers in America, Government Relations Law, 2009 to present Great Plains Super Lawyer, Government Relations Law, 2009 to present America's Top 100 Attorneys
U.S. News & World Report Best Law Firms in Nebraska

Fellow Mueller Robak LLC partner, Kim M. Robak, is a former Lieutenant Governor of Nebraska.

William J. Mueller is senior partner and co-founder of Mueller Robak LLC. Mr. Mueller has succeeded in combining a strong legal and political background to be-come one of the state's leading lobbyists. He advises clients on a broad range of legislative and government relations matters. Mr. Mueller is a graduate of the University of Nebraska College of Law and began lobbying in 1984. He will be President of the Nebraska State Bar Association in 2021. He is one of three firm members who were elected President of the student body of the University of Nebraska while in college. Mueller has been selected by his peers for inclusion in the Best Lawyers in America and a Great Plains Super Lawyer in Government Relations Law since 2009. He has been selected for Lifetime Membership in America's Top 100 Attorneys. In 2013, 2016, 2019 and 2021, Mueller was selected as the Best Lawyers Lawyer of the Year in Government Relations practice. His is a Fellow of the Nebraska State Bar Foundation and is a Patron Fellow of the American Bar Foundation. Mr. Mueller is a past President of the University of Nebraska Alumni Association. Mueller is the President of the Board of Directors of the United Way of Lincoln and Lancaster County. He and his spouse, fellow Mueller Robak partner, Kim M. Robak, chaired the campaign of the United Way of Lincoln and Lancaster County in 2015. Mueller, an Ogallala, Nebraska native, and Kim M. Robak, a Columbus, Nebraska native, have two daughters, Katherine and Claire. Katherine is an honors graduate of Vanderbilt University and resides in New York City where she works for a financial services firm in their global payments area. Claire M. Mueller, MD is a graduate of Pomona College in Claremont, California, and graduated with High Honors from Emory University School of Medicine. Dr. Mueller is in her second year of medical residency in ophthalmology at Oregon Health & Science University in Portland, Oregon.

11-15 years

Theodore C. Sorensen Fellow
Lincoln Young Professionals Group Four Under Forty Award
University of Nebraska Student Body President

Fellow Mueller Robak LLC partner, Kim M. Robak, is a former Lieutenant Governor of Nebraska.

With over ten years of experience as a lobbyist, Matthew T. Schaefer has extensive experience building stakeholder coalitions and guiding complex legislation through Nebraska's unique one-house legislature. Matt has worked with a broad range of clients ranging from some of Nebraska's most respected homegrown businesses to national technology companies bringing new innovations to the state. Matt also assists hospitals, professional associations, and political subdivision on challenging public policy matters.

Before joining Mueller Robak LLC in 2010, Matt was a Theodore C. Sorensen Fellow at the University of Nebraska College of Law and executive editor of the Nebraska Law Review. Matt is one of three firm members who were elected President of the student body of the University of Nebraska while an undergraduate.

0-5 years

Blair MacDonald joined the firm in 2015 as the director of client relations and was promoted to lobbyist following the 2018 legislative session.

Before joining us, Blair worked on a number of political campaigns including serving as campaign manager. In addition to her political work, she was the campaign coordinator at the Archdiocese of Omaha, for the nonprofit's successful $52 million "Ignite the Faith" capital campaign. Blair's campaign background and development experience has been a great complement to O'Hara Lindsay's strategic work and clientele.

Originally from Fremont, Nebraska, she now lives in downtown Omaha and loves a chance to speak Italian! You can find her running with her Kerry Blue Terriers or heading to regional music festivals.

20+ years

Former Nebraska State Senator
Served as:
Chairman of Judiciary Committee
Vice-Chairman of the Executive Board
Served on the following committees:
Banking, Commerce and Insurance
Government, Military and Veterans Affairs
Business and Labor
Agriculture

John joined the O'Hara Lindsay in 1997 and became president in 2008 when Paul O'Hara retired.

Prior to becoming a lobbyist, John served as a Nebraska state senator for two terms representing Omaha's 9th legislative district. While there, his colleagues chose him to chair the Judiciary Committee and before that Vice-Chair of the Executive Board.

He practiced law in Omaha for 13 years, starting out with his father and older brother. John clerked for the Honorable John Grant at the Nebraska Supreme Court for a year after law school.

John was born and raised in Omaha. John and his wife, Mary Beth, are the parents of four boys, John, Patrick, Bobby and David. John, a big fan of Little League baseball, coached for a number of years. John's great-grandfather, John B. Furay, was a member of Nebraska's first legislature in 1869. That may explain why it seems that John has politics in his blood!

0-5 years

Student Body President and Student Regent - University of Nebraska at Kearney

Nebraska Moot Court Board - Member

Winning Team and Best Oral Advocate - Henry R. Grether Moot Court Competition, University of Nebraska College of Law

CALI Awards for Excellence - Trial Advocacy, Pre-Trial Litigation, Land Use Planning

2009 Nester University Student Leadership Award - University of Nebraska Kearney

2014 Grand Island Chamber of Commerce Top 35 Under 35

Fellow Mueller Robak LLC partner, Kim M. Robak, is a former Lieutenant Governor of Nebraska.

Tim Hruza joined the team at Mueller Robak after having earned experience practicing law in a variety of contexts.

After graduating from law school, Tim spent three years in private practice at a mid-sized firm in Grand Island, Nebraska, where he worked with clients on a number of different legal issues, from litigating contract and property boundary disputes, to developing estate plans and managing business transactions. Following his time in private practice, Tim worked as legal counsel to a Lincoln business association, providing advice and counsel to local business owners and advocating for their interests before elected officials on both local and state levels. Most recently, Tim served as legal counsel to the Nebraska Legislature's Judiciary Committee, where he advised Senators on the legal aspects of bills presented to them for consideration.

Tim also brings to the firm experience working with local media outlets. He is a regular contributor on Lincoln's news and talk radio station 1400 KLIN where he provides commentary and insight on national, state, and local political and sports news. Tim has worked as on-air talent and as a behind-the- scenes producer for both morning and afternoon talk radio programs and through this experience has built strong relationships with elected officials and media partners in Nebraska on all levels.

Tim received his juris doctor degree with distinction from the University of Nebraska College of Law in 2012, where he was a member of the Moot Court Board and received awards for his oral advocacy skills. Before attending law school, Tim was an honors graduate of the University of Nebraska at Kearney, receiving his Bachelor of Science degree cum laude. During his time at UNK, Tim was elected to serve a term as the University's Student Body President and Student Regent.

11-15 years

Innocent's Society, University of Nebraska - Lincoln Chancellor's Senior Honorary

CALI Awards for Excellence - Individual Income Tax; Farm and Ranch Tax

Fellow Mueller Robak LLC partner, Kim M. Robak, is a former Lieutenant Governor of Nebraska.

Kristen J. Hassebrook initially joined Mueller Robak in November of 2022. She brings a distinctive skillset of membership and trade association lobbying to the firm. Building and coordinating coalitions to effect strategic policy initiatives and a reputation for providing results driven advocacy are at the core of Kristen's work experience. Most recently Kristen served as Associate Vice President for Government Relations for the University of Nebraska where she led a team that advocated on behalf of the interests of the University at the capitol in Lincoln, in Washington, D.C., and across the state. This experience gave Kristen expertise in understanding the state and federal financial needs of higher education. In addition, this role required Kristen to work to support the success of Nebraska students, faculty, researchers, and constituents on a variety of policy issues impacting higher education at the state and national level. As the Executive Vice President for Legislation and Policy for the Nebraska Chamber of Commerce & Industry, she lobbied for four years at both the state and federal level and engaged in issues management with regulatory agencies on behalf of Nebraska businesses. During this time Kristen developed an expertise in taxation, business incentives, labor and employment law, as well as issues facing manufacturing. She also spent five and a half years as Vice President of Legal and Regulatory Affairs for the Nebraska Cattlemen where she lobbied and provided regulatory assistance on behalf of beef producers. This experience helped Kristen develop a deep understanding of the regulatory and legal world surrounding agriculture, natural resources, and the environment.

The TAG network consists of the top lobbying firms across the US, public affairs specialists in various countries and specialty services.

US Members:
50-States
DC Council
US Congress

International:
Profile Consulting (Aust) Pty Ltd (Australia)
Tactix (Canada)
Monarch Global Strategies (Mexico, Central & South America)
Kesarev (Russia, CIS, Central Asia, Central & Eastern Europe, Turkey & Israel)
Instinctif Partners (United Kingdom & the European Union)

Specialty members:
Five Corners Strategies (Grassroots Advocacy & Public Affairs)
FOCUS, a Leonine Business (50-State Legislative & Regulatory Tracking & Analysis)
Select Litigation (Jury Selection)
Bullpen, LLC (Market Entry Strategy)
The Virtuous Cycle Collaboratory (Social Enterprise Business Development)
Law Offices of Mitchell D. Gravo, Inc. (Specialty Member)