0-5 years

Viceroy Government Relations Group (Viceroy) is uniquely positioned to develop a robust government relations program for you and your interests. Over time we have cultivated direct relationships with key decision makers on this issue, and continue to create new relationships with officials who directly influence policy. We have an intimate knowledge of the industry and its broad issues. We also have a working knowledge of those issues specific key decision makers in both House and Senate leadership.

A comprehensive government relations program includes well-formulated strategic, action and communications plans; an informed and engaged constituency; legislative and regulatory monitoring; a lobbying component that is engaged when needed; and, depending on the specific needs of the organization, a political action committee.

15-20 years

Alisha M. Duhon has spent the last twenty-five years gaining experience in local and state government, association management, and private firms in the oil and gas, engineering, legal, and tourism industries. Ethics compliance and reporting is another area where Alisha has provided many services to clients and companies in Louisiana.

Growing up in the 'most Cajun place on Earth' (Vermilion Parish) taught Alisha that hospitality to all and hard work will always be the best route. Politics and service was a frequent family topic at Alisha's childhood dinner tables which inspired her interests which led her to government relations consulting. Through service, hard work, hospitality and our love of culture and politics; Alisha aims for clients to feel that inclusive sense to be part of our Pivotal family.

11-15 years

Gabrielle Kees joined Cornerstone Government Affairs in 2009 with over 12 years of experience working in and around the Louisiana Legislature and Louisiana politics.

Gabrielle served as a senior lobbyist for the Louisiana Association for Justice for six years, leading legislative efforts to preserve and improve access to the civil justice system and the legal profession. She built dozens of strong relationships with legislators and their staff and in her spare time, worked on several campaigns for legislative candidates. Gabrielle continues to represent the association as outside counsel and leads the team for Cornerstone.

In addition to her work with LAJ, Gabrielle is an integral part of several other Cornerstone client teams including UnitedHealth, CenturyLink, and Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center.

Prior to joining the LAJ, Gabrielle spent six years as a staff attorney for various committees in the Louisiana House of Representatives. She began her career in the House as liaison to the Legislative Auditor's Office. She then staffed the House Committee on Agriculture, and eventually served as the attorney for the House Commerce Committee, where she specialized in drafting legislation on occupations and professions, banking and financial institutions, business associations, river navigation and piloting, and commerce in general.

Gabrielle received a BA in political science from Louisiana State University where she was a member of Phi Beta Kappa. She earned a Juris Doctor from Louisiana State University Paul M. Hebert Law Center in 1996, and was admitted to the Louisiana Bar Association. After graduating she served as a law clerk for the 20th Judicial District Court.

0-5 years

Boys and Girls Club of Louisiana - Board Member

Gretna Economic Development Association - Past President

Gretna Heritage Festival - Past Board Member

Westbank Coastal Conservation Association - Board Member

Westbank Ducks Unlimited Chapter - Board Member

Bachelors Club of New Orleans - Member

Senator Danny Martiny Campaign - Campaign Management Team

Elton Lagasse for Parish President - Campaign Manager

Mark Morgan for School Board - Campaign Manager

Sheriff Joseph Lopinto - Westbank Campaign ManagerLouisiana

Video Gaming Association - Associate Member

Senator David Heitmeier - Former Intern

Senate President John Alario - Former Aide

Jefferson Parish Council - Former Intern

Loyola University Institute of Politics - Graduate

Association of Louisiana Lobbyists - Member

Ryan Templet is a lobbyist with Advanced Strategies inc., a government relations firm founded by veteran lobbyist Alton Ashy in 1992. Advanced Strategies has offices in Baton Rouge and New Orleans and for nearly thirty years has represented dozens of clients on high profile issues at the local, state and executive level with impeccable results. Advances Strategies has provided winning strategies to clients in a broad range of industries including gaming, health care, utilities, technology and more.

Ryan first acquired his taste for politics at a young age volunteering for local elections in Gretna, LA where he grew up. In high school, Ryan began working at the Louisiana State Capitol as an intern, where he made in roads with a number of Legislators and shortly thereafter began interning in the Louisiana Senate. In College, Ryan worked as the Legislative Aide for Senate President John Alario, where he worked for five years. Under President Alario, the longest serving member of the Louisiana Legislature, Ryan learned the details of the Legislative process, the Senate and House rules, the art of compromise, the importance of building coalitions, and the value in working with individuals of competing interests and different views to successfully pass a Legislative agenda.

Ryan has worked extensively in a number of Legislative, local, and Parish-wide elections giving him an in depth knowledge of how to identify winning candidates, and a knowledge of grassroots advocacy which he utilized to services clients as a lobbyist. Having extensive knowledge of the Legislature after working for both the Louisiana House and Senate, Ryan joined Alton Ashy at Advanced Strategies inc., where he has helped Alton to grow his client base and further the success that ASI has seen in developing and implementing effective legislative government relations strategies. Presently, Ryan works with Alton to represent a broad range of clients such as the Louisiana Video Poker industry, the Louisiana Video Gaming Association (LVGA), Jacobs Entertainment, the Interventional Pain Therapists Association of Louisiana, Our Lady of the Lake Hospital System, Waste Management (WM), Entergy Louisiana, Baron and Bud Law Firm, Copart inc, DRC, Callan Marine, SAS Institute, Drizly, HNTB Corporation, Louisiana Coalition for Access to Autism Services, Louisiana Association of Applied Behavior Analysts, AETNA inc, the National Football League Players Association, and more.

Alton Ashy is the President of Advanced Strategies. As the firm's president, Alton brings a wealth of knowledge, a strong work ethic and sharp business insight to his projects. Ryan and Alton specialize in helping their clients manage high profile State Legislative and Executive level issues. Ryan and Alton are an extremely effective team for their clients. Priorities for Ryan and Alton in assisting all clients include constant communication, working with Legislators on both sides of the aisle, educating Legislators on both sides of an issue, working with other lobbyists on both sides of an issue, and finding the best solution to an issue. Ryan and Alton provide each client with the respect that they deserve and treat every client as a part of their own family. Their experience in a broad range of industries and willingness to make themselves available as needed to clients make them a perfect match for anyone seeking representation in Louisiana.

DOUGLAS STRUYK joined Carney Appleby P.L.C. as an associate in 2013. Doug is a native of Council Bluffs, Iowa, graduating from Saint Albert High School in 1988. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Horticulture from Iowa State University in 1992. Doug received his Juris Doctorate from Creighton University School of Law in 1996 with Cum Laude honors and was admitted to the Iowa Bar in June of 1996. He is also a past president of the National Association of Bar Executives' Government Relations Section.

After graduating from law school, Doug was Chief of the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship's Agricultural Diversification Bureau. After working at the Department of Agriculture, Doug returned home to manage his family's business, Struyk Turf, Ltd. In 2002, Doug was elected to the Iowa House representing Council Bluffs. During his time in the Iowa House, he was elected Assistant Minority Leader and was the Ranking Member of the House State Government Committee. He also served on the Judiciary, Economic Development, Commerce, and Agriculture Committees. Doug retired from the House 2010. In November of 2010, Doug was named Chief Legal Counsel to the Iowa Secretary of State's office. Doug also served as the office's senior legislative liaison. In May of 2012, he was selected by the Speaker of the House to serve as his Executive Officer, a position Doug held until joining Carney Appleby Law.

Doug has nearly two decades of government relations experience including time as a lawyer, lobbyist, and legislator. He has worked at the highest levels of both the executive and legislative branches of Iowa's government. Doug is well known at the Iowa Capitol as a skilled problem solver with a proven record of working with both parties to resolve controversial issues. He was a respected leader in the Iowa legislative process with a well-developed network and skill set.

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 Ledet joined Cornerstone Government Affairs' Baton Rouge, Louisiana office in July 2018. Stephen has nearly 20 years' experience working in government affairs in Baton Rouge.

Stephen previously served as the director of public affairs for Entergy Louisiana, where he led and implemented their legislative strategy. Much of his time at Entergy was spent relationship building with legislators, leadership, and their staff. Stephen was also involved in the management of Entergy's political action committee (PAC) contributions and recruiting PAC membership.

Prior to his five years at Entergy, Stephen spent nearly 12 years on staff with the Louisiana Association for Justice, where he managed the Association's contract lobbyists and lobbying team. Stephen advised the Association's executive director and committee on legislative strategies and directed its legislative fundraising efforts.

Stephen serves on the board for the Salvation Army and is a member of the St. Aloysius Church Men's Club.

Stephen received his B.B.A in marketing from Mississippi State University. He resides in Baton Rouge with his wife Mackenzie, and their twins, Henry and Willis.

15-20 years

Our firm has deep relationships with all decision makers in the State, especially with leadership in both chambers.

Drawing on more than 20 years of experience with Louisiana state government, Christopher "Chris"?Coulon advises national and regional clients who operate in a wide range of industries on matters at the state and local level.

Chris lobbies for bills that enhance his clients' businesses and against those that place burdens upon them, knowing that it takes a lot more effort to get legislation enacted than it does to kill a bill. Like many states, Louisiana has out-dated laws and regulations on the books, and Chris works with policymakers to modernize the statutory and regulatory frameworks "" understanding, for example, that they want government to adopt policies that keep pace with technological advancements in their industries while also protecting privacy in our data-driven global economy.

Chris earned his bachelor's degree in Public Administration from Louisiana State University. While pursuing his degree, he worked in many capacities in the State Legislature including a page, a Sergeant at Arms and finally as executive assistant to Speaker of the House John Alario. Prior to joining Pivotal, Chris worked in government relations with a New Orleans based law firm and with CLECO Electric Company.

Nial Patel joined Cornerstone Government Affairs in 2011 after more than seven years of service to Governor Bobby Jindal, dating back to his first run for governor in 2003. As one of the longest serving senior staff members for the Governor, Nial worked as the director of scheduling. Additionally, when Governor Jindal was elected to Congress, Nial served as his executive assistant. During his tenure with Jindal, Nial's duties varied from campaigning to research and outreach, working with elected politicians, stakeholders, and government officials from Washington, D.C. and across the state of Louisiana.

Nial holds a Masters in Economics from the Ourso College of Business at Louisiana State University (LSU), and graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science in Economics from LSU, where he also minored Political Science and Business Administration.

Originally from New Orleans, Nial attended Holy Cross High School and the Louisiana School for Math, Science, and the Arts. In 2014, he was recognized as one of the top forty under 40 leaders in the community, and is alum of the Baton Rouge Leadership and Louisiana Leadership programs. Nial serves on the Southeast Super Region Committee, Greater New Orleans Inc.'s Next Gen Council, New Schools for Baton Rouge Board, Teach for America Board, and is Chairman of Louisiana Association of Business and Industry's Emerging Leaders Council. He has helped raised money for the American Cancer Society, Republican Governor's Association, and several elected officials. Nial currently resides in Baton Rouge.

20+ years

Alton Ashy established Advanced Strategies nearly two decades ago. As the firm's president, Alton brings a wealth of knowledge, a strong work ethic and sharp business insight to his projects. He began his professional career as a legislative staffer working for both the Louisiana Senate and House of Representatives and quickly transitioned into governmental relations representing clients including Louisiana State University. Alton's ability to quickly assess an issue and develop a winning legislative strategy has helped Advanced Strategies achieve great success for its clients over the years.

RUTH H. WHITNEY is the founder and CEO of inVeritas. Ruth serves as a strategic advisor to clients based on over 25 years of expertise in law, government, politics and public opinion. She has been privileged to advise Global 500 companies, prominent professional services firms, state and federal governments, law firms, nonprofit corporations and industry associations.

Ruth earned her Juris Doctor from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock and graduated Phi Beta Kappa from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville. She is a member of the Arkansas Bar Association and is admitted to practice in Arkansas and the U.S. District Courts in Arkansas. Ruth has also been admitted pro hac vice in various jurisdictions in the course of her service as a national jury consultant.

Before founding inVeritas, Ruth built and managed the Arkansas office of Global Strategy Group where she specialized in executing winning campaigns in the public and private sectors. Prior to joining GSG, Ruth served as counsel and chief of staff to Attorney General Mike Beebe and developed professional relationships with attorneys general across the country. Ruth has extensive legal and management experience, including over 10 years as a healthcare and administrative lawyer with the Arkansas Department of Human Services and as Counsel to Mitchell, Williams, Selig, Gates & Woodyard.

Ruth has served as a guest writer to Talk Business and currently serves on a number of boards of directors including the Little Rock Chamber of Commerce; Arkansas Cinema Society; Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance; New Design School; and Little Red River Foundation. Ruth serves on the advisory board of NanoMech Inc., a nanomanufacturing innovation and product development firm. She also serves her state and community as a member of Leadership Arkansas, Accelerate Arkansas and the Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce.