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BEN HARBIN

(GAUS)

Subjects: All Subjects

Links:Website

6-10 years

Ben Harbin starting lobbying after completing a distinguished 20-year term as state representative serving the people of Columbia County in the 122nd District. During Ben's legislative tenure, he served in key leadership positions. As former Chairman of the powerful House Appropriations Committee, Ben was instrumental in helping balance Georgia's budget during the worst financial downturn since the Great Depression. In addition, Ben served as Vice Chair of the House Health Appropriations Committee, Chair of the Telecommunications subcommittee of House Energy, Utilities, & Telecommunications, and Chair of the Sales Tax Subcommittee of the House Ways and Means Committee. Ben also had long-standing membership on the House Intragovernmental Coordination and House Insurance Committees. House Speaker David Ralston appointed Ben to serve as the Co-Chairman of the Georgia Technology Oversight Committee, which was tasked with reviewing the operations and structure of the Georgia Technology Authority.Ben's long-standing support for small businesses as a state representative was recognized by the National Coalition for Capital in 2011, who presented him with a Champion of Small Business Award. The Georgia Chamber of Commerce named Ben Legislator of the Year in 2009. Ben was also a three-time recipient of the Association of County Commissioners' Legislative Award.

Ben's involvement in the healthcare community as a state representative was recognized by the Georgia Council on Aging, the Governor's Council on Developmental Disabilities, the Georgia Academy of Family Physicians, and the Georgia Public Health Nurses. The Georgia Alliance of Community Hospitals named Ben Legislator of the Year in 2008.A graduate of Georgia Military College, Ben received the Graduate of Distinction Seal for his major in Business Administration. Ben is also a graduate of Mercer University where he earned a Master's of Business Administration. Ben serves on the Board of Trustees for Doctors Hospital of Augusta, Civic Affairs Foundation of ACCG Board of Directors, Columbia County Chamber of Commerce, and as Secretary/Treasurer of the Georgia Music Foundation Board of Directors.Ben resides in Evans, with his wife Hope and their two children.

Statewide Public Affairs, Inc. is a full service government relations, communications and issue management firm providing consulting services throughout New York State. Our tenacity, emphasis on client service and dedication to maintaining the finest reputation is what sets our firm apart.

Firm Specialties:
Managing Complex Issues. Assisting clients with complex public sector issues involving the Legislative, regulatory agencies, the budget or those of a political nature is our specialty. We provide accurate, candid and effective advice to help our clients influence perceptions, uphold reputations and build support to achieve desired outcomes. What we do NOT do is sit on the sidelines. We roll up our shirtsleeves, become a part of the team and get to work.

Finding Funding. Of course, to seek and obtain government funding has become more and more difficult. Clients who desire funding have found success with Statewide because our firm has the experience of nearly 50 budget cycles. Statewide's history of success is based on a vast knowledge of the budget process, where the "pots" of money are, and broad relationships with key officials in state agencies, Division of Budget, the Executive Chamber, Legislative Leadership, as well as the Ways & Means and Finance Committees. Statewide has also become an expert in assisting clients who seek funding through the New York's Regional Economic Development Councils or other funding through the State's Consolidated Funding Application ("CFA").

Procurements Delivered. New York State procurement laws are extraordinarily complex. We specialize in assisting clients educate and shape a government agency's approach to fulfilling its needs. We have years of experience helping companies manage the RFP and procurement process to best position them for success, all while ensuring full compliance with the State's extensive procurement lobbying laws.

Concepts to Deliverables. Entrepreneurial concepts requiring partnership with government to achieve success are always challenging. Crafting concepts into "yesable" proposals requires comprehensive assessment, politically sound strategy and tenacity in execution. Our firm understands the decision to petition the government almost always requires the client to assume risk. Our full-service model ensures risk-assuming clients have the highest level of attention, interaction, political access, resources and resolve to deliver their project to success.

CHRISTOPHER DURYEA serves as Managing Partner of Statewide Public Affairs. Certainly New York has experienced an unprecedented level of political upheaval over the past several years. As a result, partnering with government has become more challenging. In founding Statewide Public Affairs, Mr. Duryea's vision is to manage a dynamic, experienced and trusted team who excels for our client's government affairs needs within the context of today's challenging environment.

With over two decades of experience working in and around New York politics, Mr. Duryea has well-recognized expertise in assisting clients navigate the complexities of New York state and local government. As Managing Partner, Mr. Duryea is responsible for the continued success of Statewide's clients.

Most recently, Mr. Duryea was a Partner at Marsh, Duryea & Associates where he represented numerous clients and developed a particular expertise on corporate, taxation, economic development, telecommunications and energy matters. Mr. Duryea also previously served as Vice President of the Cable Telecommunications Association of New York, charged with overseeing day-to-day operations and leading government affairs efforts. Here he developed a keen understanding of telecommunications policy issues and trade association management skills.

Mr. Duryea first began building his vast understanding of New York politics as Office Manager for the Onondaga County Democratic Committee, where he worked on numerous Central New York political campaigns. Subsequently he became an expert on the inner workings of Albany, serving as Legislative Director for the Chairman of the New York State Assembly Corporations, Authorities & Commissions and Environmental Conservation Committees.

In May 2012, City & State News named Mr. Duryea as one of "Albany's Rising Stars" noting, "Duryea is a key player." Mr. Duryea is a veteran of the U.S. Navy's submarine service and has a Masters in Political Science from the Rockefeller College at SUNY Albany and a BA in Political Science from SUNY Albany.

In 2010, after 20 years as a State Capitol lobbyist, Mike Dugan established Capitol Consulting a full-service government relations firm. Capitol Consulting provides the experience, integrity, access and respect one achieves through years of successful representation of our clients' issues. Capitol Consulting is well respected with a proven network of legislative and state agency contacts to navigate the often-complex halls of state government. Capitol Consulting is founded on the simple principle that there is no substitute for hard work.

20+ years

Anita L. Schepker, Esq. joins Capitol Consulting after nearly a four-decade career in government relations. Anita has a wealth of knowledge about state government that only comes from successfully navigating numerous complex client issues through the halls at the State Capitol. Prior to joining Capitol Consulting, Anita was president and founder of Schepker&Associates, LLC, a full-service government relations and regulatory law firm. Anita brings to Capitol Consulting a broad group of clients that she's has represented for many years including among others: Abbott Laboratories, AFLAC, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Connecticut Psychological Association, DaVita, Eli Lilly, Horizan Pharma, PhRMA and Safelite Auto Glass.

Prior to starting Schepker&Associates, Anita was a principal in another Hartford based lobbying firm where she acted as president of the firm's public affairs corporation, directing all legislative and regulatory issues, and litigation for the firms' clients.

Anita got her start in legislative lobbying in 1981 at the Connecticut Business and Industry Association (CBIA) where she began as a staff attorney and was promoted to general counsel. As general counsel, she headed CBIA's legal and political departments. After eight years at CBIA Anita was hired as the senior vice president for government affairs at the Connecticut Bank and Trust Company (CBT) where she oversaw all of its state legislative and regulatory activities. In addition, she coordinated CBT's federal and state political action committee activities.

Anita is a graduate of the University of Connecticut and she received her Juris Doctorate from the University of Tulsa College of Law. Also, she has a Masters in Education from St. Joseph's College.

In 2010, after 20 years as a State Capitol lobbyist, Mike Dugan established Capitol Consulting a full-service government relations firm. Capitol Consulting provides the experience, integrity, access and respect one achieves through years of successful representation of our clients' issues. Capitol Consulting is well respected with a proven network of legislative and state agency contacts to navigate the often-complex halls of state government. Capitol Consulting is founded on the simple principle that there is no substitute for hard work.

20+ years

Josh Hughes is a Senior Vice President, lobbyist and attorney at Capitol Consulting. He brings to Capitol Consulting a solid reputation with over 15-years of experience as a Capitol insider with extensive knowledge of the legislative process and policymakers. Over the years, Josh's network of contacts has provided his clients with access to all levels of state government in the legislative, administrative and executive branches. He has a reputation of working tirelessly to achieve successful results for the clients he is privileged to serve.

During his State Capitol lobbying career Josh has provided leadership and strategic advice to numerous corporations, state and national associations as well as nonprofit organizations including Tesla Motors Inc., Caterpillar, the National Association of Insurance & Financial Advisors (NAIFA), Greenskies Renewable Energy, the Association of American Publishers, the Corporation for Battery Recycling (Duracell, Panasonic and Energizer), the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA), Splunk Inc., alcohol retailers, distillers and wholesalers. Josh also continues to work with legislative campaigns in both parties bolstering the bipartisan connections of the firm.

Before becoming a State Capitol lobbyist, while in law school Josh was an intern with CB Richard Ellis commercial real estate in New York City. Prior to that Josh worked in the sales department of John Hancock Mutual Funds in Boston. In addition, he was on the account team of Ingall's Advertising.

Josh received his Bachelor of Arts degree in American Literature with a minor in Environmental Studies from Hartwick College. He received a Juris Doctorate degree from Quinnipiac University School of Law.

Confluence Strategies, Inc. is the leading government affairs agency in Alaska. With over 100 years of experience, we represent the largest and most impactful entities that operate in the Last Frontier.

11-15 years

Commonwealth North Board of Directors (Member)
USA Hockey Pacific District Board of Directors (Chariman)
USA Hockey Board of Directors (Member)
IIHF Representative - Team USA NTDP U-17 (Kazan, Russia)
Safari Club International (Past Member)

  • - Harry McDonald, Saltchuk Managing Director, Alaska
  • - Aaron Schutt, CEO, Doyon Limited
  • - Andy Teuber, Chairman & CEO, Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium (ANTHC)
  • - Charles Clement, CEO, Southeast Alaska Regional Health Consortium (SEARHC)
  • - Jim Hunt, City Manager - City of Whittier, Alaska
  • Kristopher Knauss is a fourth generation Alaskan. He graduated with honors from Arizona State University with a B.S. in Political Science and History. During his tenure at Arizona State, Mr. Knauss actively engaged in government affairs and politics, serving as intern to the United States Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee and then as campaign staff for the first female Governor of Arizona, Jane Dee Hull.

    After returning to Alaska, Mr. Knauss served as a legislative aide to the Alaska State Senate President for two years. He became Chief of Staff to the Alaska State House Rules Committee and then Chief of Staff to Alaska State Speaker of the House where he served for approximately two years.

    Because of Mr. Knauss' familiarity with state government from the executive and legislative branches, Governor Murkowski appointed him Director of Policy for the State of Alaska. In this role, he interfaced on a daily basis with the Governor, Chief of Staff, and Cabinet members. Additionally, Mr. Knauss represented the Governor and was his lead staff person with non-partisan organizations such as the National Governors' Association, Western Governors' Association, Council of State Governments, the Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission, as well as partisan groups such as the Republican Governors' Association and the Republican National Committee.

    Government Affairs is a constantly changing environment that requires a unique and first hand understanding to be effective and take full advantage of the opportunities involved and presented. Mr. Knauss has this understanding and in June 2005 resigned his position to join the private sector as the owner and principal of The Knauss Group, LLC, which specializes in government affairs consulting and lobbying the State of Alaska.

    In his personal time, Mr. Knauss continues in his elected position on the Board of Directors for USA Hockey, and serves as Chairman of the USA Hockey Pacific District. In this role, Mr. Knauss oversees youth player development along the west coast and works closely with the United States National Team Development Program (USNTDP). Most recent, Mr. Knauss was elected to the Commonwealth North Board of Directors in his professional capacity.

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    CARL GANDOLFO

    (New York)
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    MICHAEL GRECO

    (New York)
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    STEVEN GROSSMAN

    (Federal)
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    • 15 ELK STREETALBANYNY

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    WILLIAM MCCARTHY

    (Federal)
    Clients:
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    BARZILAY OREN

    (New York)
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    • 150-39 14TH AVENUEWHITESTONENY

    • 518-436-6000

    • 15 ELK STREETALBANYNY

    Clients:
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    TYLER STAPLETON

    (Federal)
    • 1800 M Street, NW, Suite 800 SWashingtonDC20036

    Clients:

    LANCE WINFIELD

    (New York)
    • 718-371-0310

    • 150-39 14TH AVENUEWHITESTONENY

    MASEH ZARIF

    (Federal)
    • 1800 M Street, NW, Suite 800 SWashingtonDC20036

    Clients: