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.

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.

0-5 years

Former Legislative aide to Senator Brett Lindstrom

Randi Scott is an attorney and lobbyist with more than four years of public policy experience. She has developed a fundamental understanding of the legislative process and a bi-partisan approach to lobbying to help advance clients' legislative agendas in the Unicameral.

Randi represents client interests at the Nebraska legislature and executive branch. She is adept at drafting legislation and devising legislative agendas and is active at the Capitol during session advocating for clients, and garnering support from legislators and other stakeholders. Randi also provides policy analysis and has experience educating constituency groups to inform members about changes that will impact them in proposed or new legislation.

Prior to joining O'Hara Lindsay, Randi served as legislative aide to Senator Brett Lindstrom, who is republican. During that time, she developed a deep understanding of the issues related to retirement, banking and insurance, economic development, taxation and tribal relations. Additionally, she has managed Congressional, Legislative and local campaigns in Nebraska.

She has a strong background in education and spent several years as a teacher in both the Omaha and Lincoln public school systems. She also was a legal intern in the US Department of Education, Office of Civil Rights in 2009.

Randi and her husband, Chris, live in Omaha and are the parents of three children, Sophia, Donovan and Aaron. Randi played volleyball at Peru State College, is a Nebraska and Creighton volleyball fan, and continues to coach youth volleyball.

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.

11-15 years

PRSA WV Chapter Practitioner of the Year - 2022

State Journal Generation Next 40 Under 40 - 2021

WV Executive Magazine Young Gun - 2018

PRSA WV Chapter Young Professional of the Year - 2012

Leadership West Virginia Class of 2013

Leadership Kanawha Valley Class of 2015

Coffman has won multiple PRSA WV Crystal Awards for public affairs, community relations, branding, reputation risk management, and media relations.

Coffman Collaborative is a full-service firm providing you the most advance knowledge of the legislative process during and outside session. We provide comprehensive monthly reports, real-time updates, support message development, organize bill tracking, establish legislative relationships and more. Our firm focuses on industrial clients in the economic development, technology, manufacturing and energy sectors. We understand the technical nature of these business and communicate effectively to policymakers.

We are, at the core, is a communications firm. We tailor your strategy to meet your outcomes. We dedicate time in researching who you are and your goals to be obtained. Our approach is to never give you a cookie-cutter plan. We focus on governmental affairs, public affairs, issue management, polling development, crisis communications, media relations, corporate responsibility plans, community relations, external/internal stakeholder engagement and much more.

Rachel Coffman is the President and Founder of Coffman Collaborative LLC. With over 12 years of experience in public relations and public policy strategic execution, Rachel has proven to set expectations and deliver results. She serves the needs of the firm's clients ranging from multi-national companies, trade associations, and nonprofits. Coffman serves as the co-chair for the WV Manufacturers Association governmental affairs committee and is a member of the West Virginia Chamber of Commerce's governmental relations, economic development and environmental committees.

Coffman received her M.B.A. from University of Charleston in 2011 and was a magna cum laude graduate of Marshall University's W. Page Pitt School of Journalism and Mass Communications concentrating in public relations (2008). In 2019, Coffman completed a graduate certificate in Business, International Relations and the Political Economy from the London School of Economics. Coffman has completed her certifications from the Public Relations Society of America in crisis communications and reputation risk management. Also, she holds the following FEMA Emergency Management Institute certifications:
- IS-29.a: Public Information Officer Awareness
- IS-42: Social Media in Emergency Management
- IS-100.b: Introduction to Incident Command System (ICS)

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.

0-5 years

Blair MacDonald joined the firm in 2015 as the director of client relations and was promoted to lobbyist following the 2018 legislative session.

Before joining us, Blair worked on a number of political campaigns including serving as campaign manager. In addition to her political work, she was the campaign coordinator at the Archdiocese of Omaha, for the nonprofit's successful $52 million "Ignite the Faith" capital campaign. Blair's campaign background and development experience has been a great complement to O'Hara Lindsay's strategic work and clientele.

Originally from Fremont, Nebraska, she now lives in downtown Omaha and loves a chance to speak Italian! You can find her running with her Kerry Blue Terriers or heading to regional music festivals.

15-20 years

Former Mayor of Lincoln
Former Nebraska State Senator for 20 years
Served as Chairman for the:
Health and Human Services Committee
Retirement Committee
Rules Committee
Served as a Member of:
Public Works
Banking, Commerce and Insurance
Transportation and Telecommunications

Don amassed a wealth of experience that he brings to his job as a lobbyist at O'Hara Lindsay. Don delivers results for our clients with integrity, ingenuity and a mastery of public policy.

In 1999, Don Wesely was elected Mayor of Lincoln. As mayor, Don oversaw a budget of $293 million and a staff of more than 2,700 employees. Two of the more significant achievements during his four-year term include the Haymarket Park baseball stadium and the start of the Antelope Valley Project. He declined to run for a second term.

Don was elected to the Unicameral to represent Lincoln's 26th district at the tender age of 24. During his 20 years as a State Senator, he introduced or co-introduced more than 300 bills that successfully became law. He served as a member or chairman of six different committees including 14 years as the Chairman of the Health and Human Services committee.

Don was born in David City, Nebraska, but grew up in Lincoln, and lives there today. He has three grown children, Amanda, Andrew and Sarah; Sarah and her husband, Jay Steinkruger, are the proud parents of Don's grandchildren, Ezra and Evie.