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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

PETER GLEASON

(Pennsylvania)

Mr. Gleason concentrates his practice as Pennsylvania and federal legislative and regulatory policy counsel. Building on his experience with the Office of the Governor in Pennsylvania, the Pennsylvania General Assembly and the United States Congress, and nearly 20 years in private practice, Mr. Gleason possesses a depth of understanding of the legislative and administrative processes, and an insider's view of the political considerations and other motivations that drive those processes. He currently represents a diverse client base, including prominent leaders within industries such as: manufacturing, rail freight transportation, natural gas production, energy policy, financial services, emerging growth and high tech, health care and retail. Mr. Gleason has also advised Governors, legislative leaders and committee chairs on political and policy matters.

Oil & Gas Legislative and Regulatory Policy: Representing several natural gas producers operating within the Marcellus Shale on legislative and regulatory policy matters pending within the PA General Assembly and numerous regulatory agencies with oversight for Marcellus Shale activities.

Competitive Industrial Electric Rates: Assisted large manufacturing clients in enacting legislation permitting large industrial customers to negotiate competitive rates with incumbent electric utilities, paving the way for significant, historic capital investments by those customers
.
Economic Development Incentives: Secured tens of millions of economic incentives for clients seeking to make large capital investment and significantly increase jobs in the Commonwealth, including grants and low interest loans, transportation assistance, rail capital and community development funds.

Business Tax Reform: Successfully led a large coalition of manufacturers and high/bio tech companies to secure dramatic statutory changes in Pennsylvania's Corporate Net Income Tax structure that had penalized companies for increased capital and employee investment in the Commonwealth.

Tax Free Zones: Successfully assisted large manufacturing client with the enactment of legislation creating several state and local tax free zones throughout Pennsylvania to facilitate business expansion and relocation.

Civil Justice Reform: Successfully represented several clients in passing legislation repealing the doctrine of joint & several liability in Pennsylvania.

Procurement Bid Protests: Managed several, successful bid protests on behalf of clients that wanted to pursue a protest without jeopardizing agency relationships.

Health Care: In separate matters, successfully represented several hospitals and the pharmaceutical industry in reversing or mitigating proposed agency recommendations that would have caused significant harm to those clients.

Mr. Gleason joined K&L Gates in 2002. Prior to joining K&L Gates, Mr. Gleason served in Pennsylvania Governor Mark Schweiker's Cabinet as Secretary for Legislative Affairs. In that capacity, he advised the Governor, the Governor's senior staff and fellow cabinet secretaries on legislative, regulatory and policy matters affecting all agencies under the governor's jurisdiction. On his departure from state government, Governor Schweiker had this to say about Mr. Gleason:

"Pete Gleason has been a vital advisor to me, and a trusted liaison with the General Assembly. He helped my Administration win passage of many historic pieces of legislation, including reforms to Pennsylvania's Medical Malpractice and Joint and Several Liability laws, not to mention the 2002-03 Budget – one of the most difficult budgets in Commonwealth history."

From 1997 to 2001, Mr. Gleason had served as deputy secretary for legislative affairs with the office of the governor in Pennsylvania. He worked with former Governor Tom Ridge until his appointment as director of Homeland Security.

During his tenure with the office of the governor, as the Governor's liaison to Pennsylvania General Assembly legislative leaders and committee chairs, Mr. Gleason played an integral role in the enactment of the following legislative initiatives:
The 2002-03 General Fund Budget (in the wake of a structural deficit in excess of $1.4 billion dollars).
All legislative tax policy matters; including several significant amendments to the Public Utility Realty Tax Act (PURTA), changes to the Corporate Net Income Tax (CNIT), the phase-out of the Capitol Stock and Franchise Tax (CSFT) and changes to the state Sales Tax.
The creation and expansion of Keystone Opportunity Zones (KOZ), Enhancement Zones (KOEZ) and Improvement Zones (KOIZ).
Historic reforms to Pennsylvania's Medical Malpractice and Joint and Several Liability laws.
The enactment of the Commonwealth's Procurement Code.
Natural Gas Deregulation.
The Uniform Electronic Transactions Act.
Land Use Reform ("Growing Smarter").
The Environmental Stewardship Act ("Growing Greener").
The Uniform Construction Code.
Workers' Compensation Reform.

Mr. Gleason's past positions also include director of legislative affairs at the Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry, special projects director to the Republican Leader of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, and special assistant to former United States Senator John Heinz.
In 2008, the Pennsylvania Report named Mr. Gleason as one of Pennsylvania's "Top 100 Most Influential People," in a list comprised of the 100 people most likely to have an impact on government and politics in Pennsylvania in 2008. In a 2004 poll conducted with state legislators, staff, lobbyists and other state policy stakeholders, he was named as "Most Effective Lobbyist" in Pennsylvania. Mr. Gleason was recently honored by the Pennsylvania Law Weekly and the Legal Intelligencer as one of forty lawyers under forty "On the Fast Track" for his work at K&L Gates and in the office of the governor.

TRACY LAWLESS

(PAUS)

Tracy Lawless is a government affairs advisor in the firm's Pittsburgh and Harrisburg offices, where she is a member of the Public Policy and Law practice group. She concentrates her activity in health care, as well as a diverse array of clients including manufacturing and transportation. She advises companies on strategic policy development, issue management, government solutions, and advocacy at the local, state, and federal levels.

Prior to joining the firm, Ms. Lawless was a legislative director for a health care network for over four years. In addition, she worked as a project manager for a real estate development company and was a policy consultant. She worked as a deputy policy director for a candidate for Governor, and she was the Pennsylvania state campaign director for the Paraprofessional Healthcare Institute (PHI National). Ms. Lawless was a public affairs/legislative director for the American Society for Pharmaceutical and Experimental Therapeutics and the American Society for Nutrition for 10 years.

MICHAEL O'BRIEN

(New Hampshire)

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.

Resolve Government Relations is a next-generation Maine lobbying firm. It was built from the ground up to embrace teamwork, technology, and modern lobbying techniques. Our style is defined by highly attentive representation, integrity, relentless determination, and adaptability. With over twenty years in Maine politics, our reputation was earned by delivering results through focused attention. Clients often tell us that they forget that we have other clients and that we are their trusted advisor. We aim to maintain that trust every day as we represent clients at all levels of state and local Maine government.

11-15 years

Since 2019, Andy has consistently been selected by his peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America, Government Relations Practice. Andy was named a New England Trailblazer in Government Affairs by Connecticut Law Tribune, 2019. Andy was also recognized in Super Lawyers as a Rising Star in Lobbying from 2016-2020. He is a graduate of the State Government Affairs Council Professional Certificate Program.

Over twenty years in Maine politics, lobbying for over twelve years.

Andy is the founder of Resolve Government Relations.

He represents a wide range of clients at every level of Maine government including the Maine Legislature, the executive branch, state agencies, and municipalities. His practice focuses on general business regulation and improving the regulatory climate for businesses.

He represents a multinational brewery, a multinational education publisher and test assessment provider, large statewide trade associations, national medical companies, national technology companies, and many others. Active in Maine politics for over two decades, Andy has strong relationships with key decision makers at the State House and all levels of Maine government.

Prior to founding Resolve Government Relations, Andy was a senior partner at Preti Flaherty, a regional law firm in New England, and practiced in the Government Affairs group there for over twelve years.

Before law school, Andy worked for Governor John Baldacci as the Director of Boards and Commissions within the Office of the Governor. In this role, he was the primary advisor to Governor John Baldacci on thousands of appointments to hundreds of state boards and commissions. Andy also worked closely with members of the Maine House and Senate on hundreds of gubernatorial appointments requiring legislative confirmation.

Andy is admitted to practice law in Maine; Massachusetts; the U.S District Court for the District of Maine; the U.S. Court of Appeals, First Circuit; U.S. Court of Appeals, D.C. Circuit; and the United States Supreme Court.

He is a graduate of the University of Maine School of Law (J.D.) and Bowdoin College (A.B.).

Andy is a member of the Maine Development Foundation, Leadership Maine, Allagash Class; served on the Board of Directors for Habitat for Humanity of Greater Portland; and the Southern Midcoast Maine Chamber, Government Liaison Committee.

RENE DIEHL

(Pennsylvania)

Rene Diehl is a government affairs advisor in the Harrisburg office and is a member of the public policy group. She has nearly 20 years of experience working with the Pennsylvania Legislature and executive branch-experience that she leverages to provide advice to clients on effectively managing their government and regulatory affairs. In particular, she helps clients by creating alignment between their objectives and government policies.

Prior to joining K&L Gates, Ms. Diehl served as Deputy Secretary of Legislative Affairs to the Pennsylvania Governor, a senior staff position that involved the development and implementation of legislative strategy intended to advance the Governor's legislative priorities for several state agencies, including the Department of Environmental Protection, the Department of Revenue, the Department of Transportation and the Pennsylvania Lottery. Ms. Diehl was directly and integrally involved in the enactment of several major legislative initiatives, including the historic transportation funding package of 2013, numerous pieces of legislation impacting energy and environmental policies and programs for the state, as well as, significant reforms intended to enhance operations and funding for the Pennsylvania Lottery. She was also directly involved with negotiations with the House of Representatives and the Senate relating to the enactment of the annual General Fund budget and related enactments.

Prior to working in the governor's office, Ms. Diehl served as Director of Legislative Affairs for the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue. During her tenure as Legislative Director, and prior to that, as Assistant Legislative Director, she advocated for legislative priorities related to taxation and the Pennsylvania Lottery, including significant business tax reform packages that dramatically changed state tax administration and tax compliance.

Before joining the Department of Revenue, Ms. Diehl worked in a senior staff capacity for the House Democratic Caucus. Her responsibilities included monitoring House floor activities and advising House Democratic Leadership in message development and legislative strategy.

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MELISSA BRAUDE

(Florida)
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CRAIG CAMUSO

(Georgia)
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JANE COVINGTON

(Tennessee)
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JANE COVINGTON

(Alabama)

JANE COVINGTON

(Tennessee)
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JOHN DILLARD

(South Carolina)
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JOHN DILLARD

(North Carolina)

T. FIORENTINO

(Florida)
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BRIAN HAMMOCK

(Maryland)
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RANDOLPH MARCUS

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RANDOLPH MARCUS

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JOSEPH MOBLEY

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RUSTY ORBEN

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RUSTY ORBEN

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