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Dana Simpson co-chairs the Government Relations practice at Smith Anderson and regularly represents clients before the North Carolina General Assembly and with State agencies.

Dana advises clients regarding legislative and regulatory advocacy, public relations, issues management, economic development initiatives, ethics, and campaign finance law compliance. Dana has been consistently rated one of the most influential lobbyists in North Carolina by both the nonpartisan N.C. Center for Public Policy Research and The North State Journal.

Prior to law school, Dana served as Special Assistant for Communications and Policy to the Speaker of the North Carolina House of Representatives.

Dana also has experience representing clients on rule-making and administrative law matters. He served as a member of the North Carolina Rules Review Commission from 2003-2006.

20+ years

"North Carolina's Top Lobbyists" - North State Journal (2020)
Best Lawyers Government Relations Practice (2009-2022)
Business North Carolina Legal Elite
Triangle Business Journal "40 Under 40 Leadership Award (2012)

Subjects: All Subjects

Links:Website

Robin is an assistant vice president with McGuireWoods Consulting's South Carolina state government relations team. She assists legislative tracking and monitoring, lobbying, and association management. Robin has experience in many industries including technology, healthcare, banking and finance, public utilities, nonprofit, and insurance. Robin is a native of South Carolina and earned her undergraduate degree from the University of South Carolina and is a candidate for a Master of Public Administration degree at Clemson University.

0-5 years

MICHAEL CASSIDY

(Illinois)

Proactive, thoughtful, ethical and experienced multistate government affairs counsel

Please provide your full biography and other information that you believe a prospective client would be interested in.
Michael Cassidy is a senior vice president in the state government relations group working out of the Chicago and Springfield offices. Michael advises clients before Congress, the Illinois General Assembly and various local, county and municipal governments.

He provides counsel in regards to executive & legislative affairs, coalition development, crisis communications, media relations, and strategic communications. Recently, Michael played a major role in the 2010 primary and general re-election of Illinois Governor Pat Quinn.

Prior to joining the firm, Michael built a robust network of contacts working as a senior member of Illinois House Speaker Michael J. Madigan's legislative staff. In that position, he coordinated legislative agendas and media relations for members of the Democratic caucus. Michael also possesses substantial campaign experience having served in various supervisory roles on municipal, county, state and statewide campaigns. Working for the Democratic Party of Illinois, he was responsible for the advancement of Democratic candidates through grassroots organizing, strategic fundraising, message development, field coordination, and crisis management, direct mail campaigns, earned, and paid media.

15-20 years

Member of the national council of state legislatures

Chris Gobble is a respected government affairs specialist with deep issue expertise and a broad base of policymaker and stakeholder relationships. He leverages his insights into the state General Assembly, Tennessee executive branch, and local governments to help SRG clients navigate complex political challenges and effectively advance meaningful policy solutions. Prior to joining SRG, Chris served as senior director of public policy for the Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce and was the legislative and policy director for the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security under Governor Bill Haslam.

0-5 years

Chris Gobble is a respected government affairs specialist with deep issue expertise and a broad base of policymaker and stakeholder relationships. He leverages his insights into the state General Assembly, Tennessee executive branch, and local governments to help SRG clients navigate complex political challenges and effectively advance meaningful policy solutions.

Prior to joining SRG, Chris served as senior director of public policy for the Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce, where he helped drive policy changes and facilitate government affairs efforts for 2,000 businesses representing over 180,000 employees. He also regularly and effectively collaborated with local, state, and federal elected officials to advance Chattanooga's status as a leader in education, workforce, and economic development.

Prior to Gobble's tenure in Chattanooga, he was the legislative and policy director for the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security. In this role, Gobble worked closely with Governor Bill Haslam's office and the state legislature to develop and implement a variety of public policy initiatives.

Originally from Bradley County, Chris earned a B.A. in Political Science and Communications from Lipscomb University. He and his wife Sarah live in Nashville.

CJ Duncan supports SRG's government relations team, assisting in the development and execution of winning strategies to advance clients' state and local public policy objectives. Most recently, CJ worked for the government affairs division in the Montgomery, Alabama offices of Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP.

0-5 years

CJ Duncan supports SRG's government relations team, assisting in the development and execution of winning strategies to advance clients' state and local public policy objectives. Most recently, CJ worked for the government affairs division in the Montgomery, Alabama offices of Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP. Previously, CJ interned for the Davidson Criminal Court under Judge Randall Wyatt.

CJ is a graduate of Vanderbilt University, where he majored in political science with a minor in corporate strategy. He also played wide receiver for the Vanderbilt Commodores throughout his college career. Vanderbilt coach Derek Mason called CJ "one of our most versatile and proven offensive performers, but even more than that, C.J. is very much a team-oriented player." In 2018, the Arizona Cardinals invited CJ to a rookie minicamp on a tryout basis, which resulted in CJ being signed to the Cardinals' 90-man offseason roster.

I have worked with the South Carolina Legislature, state agencies and Constitutional Officers for over 15 years. I am highly experienced in navigating the state appropriations legislative processes. I am highly skilled at assisting clients by identifying multiple pathways to achieve the intended goals and outcomes.

0-5 years

Prior to joining Adams and Reese, Emily served as the Director of Government Affairs for the South Carolina Department of Education. In this role, she served as the liaison between the agency and South Carolina's General Assembly, the Governor, the Congressional Delegation, other state agencies and stakeholder groups. Additionally, during the legislative session she provided public testimony during hearings, coordinated agency policy development, and annually facilitated the agency budget request through the Governor's Office and the General Assembly.

Emily also spent seven years within the South Carolina House of Representatives' Ways and Means Committee, serving as a budget analyst with involvement in the Health and Human Services Budget Subcommittee and the Public Education and Special Schools Subcommittee. Her work included coordinating the passage of $2 billion in state appropriations through the budget process and coordinating communication between the General Assembly, the state's school districts and the South Carolina Department of Education, as well as a variety of legislation affecting K-12 education, property tax, and sales and use tax.

Mark Cate is the Founder and President of Stones River Group, a Nashville-based public affairs firm serving both Tennessee, regional and national clients. He formerly served as Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam's chief of staff, where he was his top advisor, strategist and negotiator.

6-10 years

I have been recognized by the Nashville Post list of In-Charge: Government & Politics for 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022

Our firm was recognized nationally by the Public Relations Society of America for our comprehensive public affairs campaign to bring Major League Soccer to Nashville

Mark Cate is the Founder and President of Stones River Group, a Nashville-based public affairs firm serving both Tennessee, regional and national clients. He formerly served as Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam's chief of staff, where he was his top advisor, strategist and negotiator.

During his tenure with the Haslam Administration, Mark led several legislative policy initiatives, including K-12 education reform, workers' compensation reform, civil service reform, an alternative approach to Medicaid expansion, and postsecondary education reform, including the nationally-acclaimed Tennessee Promise program.

Prior to serving in state government, Mark successfully managed Governor Haslam's first gubernatorial campaign in 2010, which led to a record-setting general election victory. He previously worked as an executive in real estate management and development and served for 16 years as a higher education leader. Over the course of his career, Mark has served as a chief development officer, chief planning officer, chief marketing officer, and as a chief financial officer—working on budgets ranging from $10 million to $30 billion.

Mark grew up in Maryville, TN and currently lives in Brentwood with his wife Cathy who serves as the Executive Director of Leadership Tennessee. He and Cathy have two daughters, Bailey who is a recent graduate at Rhodes College and currently serves as a fellow at the Crop Trust in Bonn, Germany; and Abbie who is rising junior at George Washington University.

Cate received a B.S from Carson-Newman College, an M.S from the University of Tennessee, and Harvard University's Institute for Educational Management certificate program. He's served on a wide variety of non-profit boards and was an elected member of the Maryville Board of Education.

JOHN HAMMOND

(Indiana)

Subjects: All Subjects

Links:Website

20+ years

John R. Hammond III is co-chair of Ice Miller's Public Affairs Group. As a veteran of Indiana state government, he has helped shape a wide variety of public policy, from tax policy to environmental management, education to tort reform, transportation to insurance and economic development.

John served as a key aide to former Indiana Governor Robert D. Orr during his time as lieutenant governor, as well as serving as a deputy campaign manager for Orr's gubernatorial run in 1979 and heading up his transition team in 1980. He was senior executive assistant for Legislative Affairs and Education Policy in the Orr administration, serving as chief legislative liaison for six general sessions and three special sessions of the Indiana Legislature during the 1980s. Since leaving state government in 1988, he has led the governmental and public affairs programs for several major Indiana firms.

He is a frequent public affairs panelist and lecturer, and is the co-author of the article "Campaigns and Candidates: Lawyers and Their Obligations," prepared for the Legislative Services Agency for Continuing Legal Education's seminar titled, "The Lawyer-Lobbyist." He also serves as a Republican commentator and analyst on Indiana Week in Review, a state wide public affairs news program of WFYI focusing on Indiana government and politics. He has served as an advisor to several statewide campaigns.

John was awarded his Bachelor of Arts from DePauw University in 1976, and a juris doctor from the Indiana University School of Law in 1991. He is admitted to practice law in the state of Indiana.

John joined Ice Miller in February 2001.

Stephen Susano is the Co-Founder and COO of Stones River Group, a Nashville-based public affairs firm serving both Tennessee, regional and national clients. He provides clients with strategic counsel on business opportunities and project management, regulatory matters, procurement, economic development, third-party engagement, and market positioning. Stephen leverages his lengthy private-sector experience and deep network of relationships with business leaders and key policymakers in state and local government across Tennessee to deliver solutions for clients in multiple industries.

6-10 years

Stephen Susano is the Co-Founder and COO of Stones River Group, a Nashville-based public affairs firm serving both Tennessee, regional and national clients. He provides clients with strategic counsel on business opportunities and project management, regulatory matters, procurement, economic development, third-party engagement, and market positioning. Stephen leverages his lengthy private-sector experience and deep network of relationships with business leaders and key policymakers in state and local government across Tennessee to deliver solutions for clients in multiple industries.

Prior to Stones River Group, Stephen served as Executive Director of the Tennessee Business Partnership (TBP), an advocacy organization supported by many of the state's leading enterprises. He spearheaded its efforts to advance pro-business policies, including education and judicial reforms, to encourage job growth and economic development. In 2014, Stephen led the statewide "Vote Yes on 2" campaign in support of the Judicial Selection Amendment to the Tennessee constitution. Stephen built a broad coalition of business groups, trade associations, legal advocates and community leaders in favor of the amendment. This coalition's successful mobilization helped ensure the amendment was approved with overwhelming support, carrying 94 out of 95 counties in Tennessee

Prior to working in the public affairs space, Stephen had an extensive career in the financial services industry. He served in operating and business development roles for several investment advisers and asset management firms. He has consulted with and raised capital for both U.S. and foreign-based investment firms, and has negotiated distribution and trading agreements with multiple financial services companies. Through his work, Stephen navigated complex regulatory regimes in domestic and offshore jurisdictions

Stephen grew up in Knoxville, Tennessee and currently lives in Brentwood with his wife, Ana. He and Ana have four children. Stephen serves on the board of the Nashville Downtown Partnership.

KAREN ARLAND

(Indiana)
  • (317) 236-2244

  • One American SquareSuite 2900IndianapolisIN46282-0200

Clients:

NORLYN ASPREC

(California)
  • (916) 444-7464

  • 1201 K STREET, SUITE 920SACRAMENTOCA95841

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JEFFREY BOEYINK

(Iowa)
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AUTUMN BURKE

(California)
  • (916) 444-7464

  • 1201 K STREET, SUITE 900SACRAMENTOCA95814

Clients:

WILLIAM BYERS, IV

(Ohio)
Clients:

COURTNEY CRAIG

(Iowa)
  • 515-518-5719

  • 510 E Locust Ste 200Des MoinesIA50309

LESA DIETRICK

(Indiana)
  • (317) 236-2252

  • One American SquareSuite 2900IndianapolisIN46282-0200

Clients:

THOMAS DOWNS

(Indiana)
  • (317) 236-2339

  • One American SquareSuite 2900IndianapolisIN46282-0200

Clients:

SILVIO FERRARI

(California)
Clients:

JARED FICKER

(California)
Clients:

CATHERINE GILSON

(California)
  • (916) 444-7464

  • 1201 K STREET, SUITE 920SACRAMENTOCA95814

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CHRIS GOBBLE

(Tennessee)
Clients:

CHRIS GOBBLE

(Tennessee)
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LACY JOHNSON

(Indiana)
  • (317) 236-2209

  • One American SquareSuite 2900IndianapolisIN46282-0200

Clients:

JASON KINNEY

(California)
Clients:

BEN LAZARE

(Illinois)

BRITTANY LUMLEY

(Iowa)

ELLIOTT MEYER

(Iowa)
Clients:

WILLIAM MOWRER

(California)
Clients:

JESSICA MYERS

(Tennessee)
Clients:

JEWELL PATEK

(MOMO)
  • (573) 690-3573

  • PO Box 1933Jefferson CityMO65102

ZOE SAMS

(Tennessee)

KEVIN SCHMIDT

(California)
  • (916) 444-7464

  • 1201 K STREET, SUITE 920SACRAMENTOCA95814

Clients:

MARGRETE SNYDER

(California)
  • (916) 444-7464

  • 1201 K STREETSACRAMENTOCA95814

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