Kevin B. Spinella, a 10-year veteran of Connecticut politics, joined Gaffney, Bennett & Associates' team of eight lobbyists/lawyers on February 3, 2020.

Kevin began his career as a legislative aide and committee clerk for the House Democrats from 2010-14, overseeing all facets of the committee process and supervising five clerks. He also served as a campaign coordinator for the House Democratic caucus during the 2010-18 election cycles, and was responsible for helping develop strategies, prepare for debates and coordinate events with Congressional and US. Senate campaigns.

As senior policy analyst to former CT House Speaker Brendan Sharkey and current Speaker Joe Aresimowicz, for the past six years, Kevin has performed research, helped analyze policies and programs, and drafted and finalized legislation for the leaders and the caucus. He has also negotiated with and served as a liaison between legislators from both political parties the executive branch, lobbyists and advocates on priority issues.

Kevin's experience covering an array of legislative committees and issues on behalf of the House Democratic caucus and leadership has helped him develop a strong understanding of the legislative process and the critical importance of building and managing relationships.

20+ years

Jay F. Malcynsky, Esq., is the co-founder and managing partner of Gaffney, Bennett and Associates, Inc. Jay is also a practicing attorney licensed in Connecticut and Washington, D.C., and is the founder and managing partner of The Law Offices of Jay F. Malcynsky, P.C. In these capacities, Jay has distinguished himself as one of the most knowledgeable, highly respected, and capable professionals in the fields of government relations and political consulting, as well as administrative law. At the state Capitol, clients and legislators frequently call upon Jay's skills in negotiating agreements, forging alliances, and coordinating crisis management. Under his leadership, Gaffney, Bennett and Associates has mounted a record of success unsurpassed in Connecticut.

Jay has been an active and longtime political strategist. Prior to establishing the firm, Jay managed U.S. Congressman Stewart B. McKinney's political campaigns in 1980 and 1982. He also managed the re-election bids of U.S. Congresswoman Nancy Johnson and U.S. Senator Lowell P. Weicker, in 1984 and 1988, respectively. In 2000, Jay served as campaign manager for Bush for President in Connecticut, and was among the lead attorneys representing the Bush campaign during the Florida recount effort.

He is currently vice chairman of the Board of Directors of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston, and serves on the Boards of Directors of The UConn Foundation, the Nutmeg State Games, and Connecticut Legal Services.

After graduating from law school, Jay served as a trial attorney in the Office of Civil Rights at the U.S. Department of Education in Washington, D.C. He also served as an attorney for the U.S. House of Representatives.

20+ years

Successfully worked with two municipalities regarding approval to build two major warehouse centers in those districts.

Work with state economic development agency and key legislators for passage of legislation to benefit small business

Ongoing work with major state hospital system on all pertinent issues, including state and federal funding, healthcare, etc.

Successfully assisted in merger of large pharmacy retailer and insurance.

Kevin N. Reynolds is a principal of RSG. Prior to that, Mr. Reynolds was a principal and member of the Board of Directors at the law firm of Updike Kelly & Spellacy, PC, serving as Chair of the firm's Government Relations & Public Affairs practice group for eight years. Mr. Reynolds has most recently represented clients such as Amazon, CVS/Caremark, Diageo, Goodwin College, Eversource, Tesla, Red Bull, Trinity Health of New England, Live Nation/Ticketmaster. Mr. Reynolds has great experience representing numerous insurance organizations over the years including, but not limited to, AHIP, Mutual of Omaha, Unum and AFLAC.

As a lawyer, Mr. Reynolds also routinely handles matters in the areas of administrative, elections and municipal law. He was integrally involved in representing Essent Healthcare, over a two-year period, in the state's first non-profit to for-profit hospital conversion.
Prior to attending law school, Mr. Reynolds served for several years on the legislative staff of U.S. Senator Christopher J. Dodd. While working in Senator Dodd's office, his responsibilities included drafting legislation on domestic issues, preparing legislative statements and handling federal casework.

Mr. Reynolds serves in a leadership capacity in various professional, political and community organizations. Since 2000, he has served as Legal Counsel for the Connecticut Democratic Party. Mr. Reynolds is a Corporator of Saint Francis Hospital and Medical Center. He also has served as Chairman of the International Council of Shopping Centers, Connecticut State Government Relations Committee. He serves as Parliamentarian for the West Hartford Democratic Town Committee and is an alumnus of Leadership Greater Hartford, Class of 1999. In 2012, Mr. Reynolds received the prestigious William A. O'Neil Award for lifetime service on behalf of the Connecticut Democratic Party.

Mr. Reynolds received his J.D. at the University of Virginia School of Law in Charlottesville, Virginia and his A.B. in English at Kenyon College in Gambier, Ohio.

6-10 years

Successfully worked with two municipalities regarding approval to build two major warehouse centers in those districts.

Work with state economic development agency and key legislators for passage of legislation to benefit small business

Ongoing work with major state hospital system on all pertinent issues, including state and federal funding, healthcare, etc.

Successfully assisted in merger of large pharmacy retailer and insurance.

Hillary is a Principal at RSG. After 5 years as an Associate at RSG, in 2020 Hillary was promoted to Principal. Ms. Glass came to Connecticut from Virginia in 2013 to work at the State Capitol for Governor Dannel Malloy. She then took a position at the Connecticut Democratic Party, working directly for the State Party Chairwoman, Nancy DiNardo, serving as a liaison with elected officials, town chairs, and leaders in the state's 169 municipalities. Following her time at the State Party, Ms. Glass served as Finance Assistant for U.S. Representative Elizabeth Esty's 2014 successful reelection to Congress, working directly with the candidate to solicit and raise funds. Ms. Glass, who resides in Hartford, graduated in 2013 from the University of Alabama with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Minor in Journalism.

20+ years

Successfully worked with two municipalities regarding approval to locate two major warehouse centers in those districts.

Work with state economic development agency and key legislators for passage of legislation to provide financial assistance for small businesses in CT.

Ongoing work with major state hospital system on all pertinent issues, including state and federal funding, healthcare, etc.

Successfully assisted in merger of large pharmacy retailer and insurance.

Brenda Sisco is a principal of RSG. For more than 15 years, Ms. Sisco held several key positions in two gubernatorial administrations prior to joining RSG. Under Governor M. Jodi Rell, Ms. Sisco served as Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management ("OPM"), Commissioner of the Department of Administrative Services ("DAS") and Legislative Director for the Governor. Ms. Sisco also served as Legislative Director for Governor John G. Rowland. After leaving state service, Ms. Sisco was Director of Outreach and Government Relations for the Connecticut Council on Education Reform, a coalition of business leaders, working on the landmark education legislation in 2012.

As Secretary of OPM, Ms. Sisco oversaw the administration of centralized budgeting and planning for the State of Connecticut. Leading eight Division Directors and approximately 130 employees, Ms. Sisco reported directly to the Governor, providing guidance and analysis, preparation of the state budget and advice on the fiscal and administrative impact on public policies and policy initiatives. Additionally, Ms. Sisco reviewed all state agency requests for bonding to fund capital projects, advising the Governor on which projects that should proceed. Ms. Sisco was also responsible for the distribution and oversight of project funds.

As Commissioner of DAS, Ms. Sisco led more than 300 employees and managed a $40-million-dollar budget. Her role was to deliver programs, services, specialized support and sound business solutions to state agencies, municipalities, vendors, colleges and universities, non-profit organizations and the public at large. This included procurement of contracts on behalf of state agencies for goods and services, personnel recruitment, workforce planning, fleet operations, state workers compensation, collection of debts due the state, surplus property distribution and printing, mail and courier services.

As Legislative Director, Ms. Sisco was the lead representative for the Governor with the Connecticut General Assembly on budget and tax proposals, economic development, human services, education, public health, environment and bonding proposals. In addition to oversight and approval of all legislative proposals by state agencies, Ms. Sisco assisted in the development of policy initiatives and the passage of the biennial state budget. Ms. Sisco also served on the Board of Trustee of the University of Connecticut on behalf of the Governor and as the liaison between the Governor's Office and the New England Governors' Conference ("NEGC"). Among the more notable projects, Ms. Sisco worked on the restructuring of the electric industry, passage of UConn 2000, creation and funding of $1 billion Adriaen's Landing development project and the takeover of the Hartford School System.

Ms. Sisco received her B.S. in Psychology from Central Connecticut State University in New Britain, Connecticut.

Michael C. Doyle, an accomplished government affairs professional, offering years of professional achievement, joined Gaffney, Bennett and Associates in 2014. Mike offers clients a depth of insight, strategic advice and analysis that has continuously helped clients succeed in lobbying important issues before the executive branches of state government and the Connecticut General Assembly.Mike's background as screening clerk for the House Democrats, legislative aide, political advisor, campaign manager and Senior Policy Aide to the Speaker of the House has been a critical asset to clients who require an understanding of the intricacies of the legislative process as well as the political optics.Prior to joining Gaffney, Bennett and Associates, Mike worked close to 10 years as a lobbyist for a longtime, prominent lobbying firm in Hartford. Mike has wide-ranging experience representing the interests of major corporations, trade associations, organizations and municipalities in the areas of health care, energy, telecommunications, insurance, and consumer products.

Richard F. Conway ("Fritz") , a partner in the firm, joined Gaffney, Bennett and Associates in 1989. He developed his strong political acumen while serving as a political staffer in Hartford and Washington, D.C. He served as senior staff member and advisor to House Republican Leaders Robert Jaekle and Edward Krawiecki, Jr., in Hartford, and as a legislative aide and finance director for U.S. Congressman Stewart B. McKinney in the early 1980s.

As a lobbyist, Fritz has earned great respect for his command and thorough understanding of the election and legislative processes. He provides expert advice to and lobbies on behalf of numerous clients, including Fortune 500 companies, nonprofits, financial institutions, and small- to medium-size manufacturers. His areas of expertise include tax and budget policy, manufacturing, energy, telecommunications, banking, transportation, and regulatory matters.