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One of the premier lobbying firms in Annapolis, Manis Canning & Associates (MCA) has been representing the interests of its clients for almost 50 years, dating back to 1974. Our team collectively has more than 100 years of experience working with legislatures, executives, and regulators in local, state and federal governments.

We provide creative, proactive government affairs, public relations, business and trade association management strategies and programs to a diverse group of clients. We conduct ourselves in a bipartisan manner and pride ourselves in our ability to build and manage effective grassroots organizations and issue-based coalitions. We believe credibility is essential to maintaining our firm's good name and the good name of our clients, and preserving that commodity is of paramount importance.

20+ years

Leadership Maryland Board and is a member of the class of 2019

University of Maryland Baltimore County School of Public Policy External Advisory Board

Maryland Economic Development Association Board and Co-Chair of the Public Policy Awareness Committee

Chair, Odenton Town Center Advisory Committee

  • The Motion Picture Association of America began its relationship with MCA in 1974, working with Co-Founder George Manis. We can't imagine working with anyone else. They anticipate our issues and their professionalism and integrity is unmatched in Annapolis. For decades, it has been clear to MPAA that their relationships with elected leaders are based on trust and mutual respect. - Vans Stevenson, Senior Vice President, State Government Affairs, Motion Picture Association of America
  • No matter how large or small, I can always trust MCA to dive into the substance of an issue. Their experience working at the highest levels of State and local government gives them a unique command of both the process and the issues. There is no one I'd rather work with in Annapolis. - Anne Lindner, Vice President of State Legislative Affairs, Pepco Holdings
  • MCA continues to help us navigate the complexities of one of the largest and most important urban renewal projects in the country, Port Covington. Available at all times, day or night, I know I can count on them for their strong grasp of the issues and effective leadership. - Marc Weller, President and CEO Weller Development Company
  • We turned to MCA help secure funding for our new Regional Youth Workforce and Innovation Center. They have become a trusted partner and advisor, not just for our new Center, but also on efforts to expand career and technical exploration in the K-12 school system. - Jennifer Bodensiek, President and CEO, Junior Achievement of Central Maryland
  • We added MCA to our team when we needed timely advice on an issue of great importance to the company. They quickly brought themselves up to speed and knew the players to get the job done. We can't thank them enough for their results- oriented approach. Their knowledge of all levels and branches of Maryland government has been invaluable. - Brett Kelly, Vice President, Fraport Maryland (formerly Airmall Maryland)
  • I've worked with MCA for many years, and I have always been impressed by their thorough approach to government affairs. They work in a bipartisan manner to get results for their clients and they are clearly respected on both sides of the aisle by elected officials and staff alike. The MCA team has helped facilitate relationships and presented opportunities for me to communicate directly with policymakers about issues important to my business. - Gary Mangum, co-Founder of ForwardGro and former CEO of Bell Nursery
  • It isn't easy to start a new business - let alone a new industry. MCA gave the medical cannabis growers and processors in our organization instant credibility, and a powerful voice in Annapolis. With their help, we have gotten our businesses off the ground and are delivering a safe, reliable and affordable medical product to Maryland patients. - Jake Van Wingerden, owner of SunMed Growers and past President of the Maryland Wholesale Medical Cannabis Trade Association (CANMD)
  • With more than 20 years of government relations, management, and administration expertise, Andrea E. Mansfield brings her ability to successfully execute advocacy efforts and programs to Manis Canning. Her broad experience and involvement with the Maryland Legislature on policy, fiscal and budget matters; and her ability to work with diverse groups and build consensus on complex issues is an asset to the firm.

    Andrea has extensive experience at the state and local level, having led and coordinated policy efforts for the Maryland Association of Counties (MACo) and implemented the legislative agendas of state agencies. As MACo's Legislative Director she advised, crafted, and implemented the common agendas and legislative goals of Maryland's 23 counties and Baltimore City.

    In state government, she worked within three Administrations in positions of increasing responsibility, serving as legislative liaison to the Legislature for the Department of Budget and Management, and the Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation (DLLR); and Special Assistant, Director of Financial Aid, and Assistant Secretary of Finance Policy with the Maryland Higher Education Commission.

    She has a Master of Policy Sciences from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County and a Bachelor of Arts in Government and Politics from the University of Maryland, College Park.

    I'm a highly accomplished government relations specialist with over a decade of experience in local, state, and federal affairs. Currently serving as a Government Affairs Associate at Manis Canning & Associates, I provide strategic advice, issue analysis, and guidance to clients on complex government matters in Maryland. I excel in connecting clients with influential government leaders, building coalitions, and developing legislative strategies.

    One of the premier lobbying firms in Annapolis, Manis Canning & Associates (MCA) has been representing the interests of its clients for almost 50 years, dating back to 1974. We provide creative, proactive government affairs, public relations, business and trade association management strategies and programs to a diverse group of clients.

    0-5 years

    Natasha Mehu is a highly accomplished government relations specialist with over a decade of diverse experience in local, state, and federal affairs. With a successful transition from the public sector to the private sector, she is currently serving as a lobbyist at Manis Canning & Associates, where she advocates and educates on behalf of clients' interests to Maryland's state and local governments.

    Natasha provides strategic advice, issue analysis, and guidance to clients on complex government matters, and excels in connecting clients with influential government leaders and staff. She is skilled in legislative advocacy and diligently tracks bills, proposed amendments, and regulatory matters to keep clients informed and well-prepared. Natasha's ability to build coalitions and mobilize allies has been instrumental in developing legislative support for clients.

    Prior to her current role, Natasha held a senior leadership position as the Director of the Mayor's Office of Government Relations for the City of Baltimore. In this capacity, she formulated policy positions, set strategies, and advocated for the city's local, state, and federal legislative and fiscal priorities. Natasha fostered constructive relationships with internal and external stakeholders, serving as a liaison to city, state, and federal offices.

    Natasha's extensive experience in government affairs is further exemplified by her tenure at the Maryland Association of Counties (MACo). As the Legislative Director, she led and coordinated advocacy efforts on behalf of MACo's member counties and Baltimore City in front of the Maryland General Assembly. She successfully managed a team of policy advocates, oversaw the legislative policy fellow intern program, and served as a liaison to various affiliate organizations. Natasha's expertise spanned multiple policy areas, including business affairs, health and human services, housing and community development, government liability and courts, and public safety and corrections.

    In her earlier career, Natasha served as a Project Manager at the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development, where she managed nonprofit grantee housing counseling agencies and legal services providers. She excelled in legislative liaison roles and provided technical assistance and training to ensure compliance with regulatory and statutory requirements.
    Natasha's commitment to public health and equity is evident through her work as a Research Assistant at the University of Maryland School of Law and as a Student Attorney at the Drug Policy and Public Health Strategies Clinic. Natasha holds a J.D. from the University of Maryland School of Law, with a Certificate in Health Law. During her time in law school, she actively participated in the Student Health Law Organization (SHLO) and the Black Law Students Association (BLSA). She also competed as a member of the BLSA Thurgood Marshall National Trial Team.

    Natasha earned her B.A. in Communication, with a minor in Philosophy, from the University of Maryland, College Park, where she received the University Honors Citation and was a member of the Lambda Pi Eta Communication Honor Society. Natasha is a member of the Maryland State Bar Association (MSBA) and holds bar membership in the state of Maryland. She also serves as a Board Member of the Maryland Government Relations Association (MGRA), a Board Member of Chase Brexton Health Care, and a member of the National Black Professional Lobbyist Association (NBPLA).

    Successful adoption of numerous operating and capital funding initiatives in the Maryland State Budget

    Worked on passage and implementation of numerous tax credit and tax exemption legislative initiatives

    Expertise and proven record of legislation impacting higher educational institutions

    11-15 years

    Former State Senator Patrick J. Hogan joined Cornerstone Government Affairs in October 2015 as a co-lead of the firm's Annapolis, Maryland office. Prior to joining Cornerstone, P.J. served as the vice chancellor of government relations for the University System of Maryland (USM) since 2007. In this capacity, he was responsible for coordinating legislative activities amongst the 14 USM Institutions and centers at the federal and state levels of government, including Congress, the Maryland General Assembly, the Office of the Maryland Governor, and other relevant units of government.

    As a Maryland State Senator, P.J. represented the 39th Legislative District located in Northern Montgomery County from 1994 -- 2007. P.J. was re-elected to his fourth term in 2006. His Senate committee assignments included Budget and Taxation where he served as Vice-Chairman of the full committee, and Chairman of the Education, Business and Administration Subcommittee. He was also a member of the Pensions Subcommittee and the Capital Budget Subcommittee. Additionally, he served on the following Joint Committees; Spending Affordability, Legislative Policy, the Joint Committee on Pensions, the Joint Audit Committee, and the Joint Committee on Legislative Data Systems. Previously, Sen. Hogan served on the Joint Committee on Federal Relations, Task Force on State Personnel, the Property Tax Task Force, the Pre Paid College Tuition Task Force, Telecommunications Work Group, Maryland Council on Management and Productivity, the Child Care Administration Advisory Council, the Maryland Information Technology Board, and as Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Children Youth and Families, among others.

    P.J. authored many pieces of legislation relating to Higher Education including the creation of the Commission to Develop the Maryland Model for Funding Higher Education, and the Maryland Pre Paid Tuition and College Savings Plans. He was also active on issues relative to high technology, business tax exemption for computer software, transportation trust fund distribution formula, funding for K-12 & higher education, and issues relating to persons with developmental disabilities.

    From 1990 to 1994, P.J. served as Legislative Assistant to U.S. Congresswoman Connie Morella. In this capacity he was responsible for issues relating to budget and economy, housing, Social Security, Medicare and Veterans Affairs. He also handled constituent inquiries with federal agencies, and served as a community liaison with local organizations. Prior to his position with Congresswoman Morella, P.J. owned and operated a successful retail sporting goods business.

    P.J. lives in Annapolis, Maryland. He is married to Jacqueline P. Hogan, and they have two children. P.J. was born in Pittsburgh, PA and received his Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing from Indiana University of Pennsylvania.

    DELORA SANCHEZ

    (MDDE)

    Created the first a trade association of Maryland's nine Medicaid MCOs and served as Director and principal lobbyist for the MCOs who are responsible for providing health care to 1.2 million Marylanders enrolled in the Medicaid program

    Provides strategic consulting and lobbying to the Maryland Hospital Association and its 64 hospitals on medical liability, tort reform, and integrated community oncology issues.

    Lobbied for the passage of legislation on behalf of ZERO to Prostate Cancer making Maryland the second state in America to eliminate cost-sharing for prostate cancer screening

    Named 2020 Top Lobbyist by the National Institute for Lobbying & Ethics (NILE)

    Delora R. Sanchez, Esq. joined Cornerstone in October 2015 after leading Johns Hopkins Medical System's government affairs team. Delora spent nearly a decade representing Hopkins' interests before the Maryland General Assembly, Governor's office, and state administrative agencies. She has an extensive background in state legislative and regulatory issues.

    As a senior vice president in Cornerstone's Annapolis office, Delora specializes in representing hospitals, managed care organizations (MCOs), pharmaceutical manufactures, medical cannabis companies, and private sector special interests. Over the past 10 years, Delora has used her deep policy expertise and legislative connections to save or create tens of millions of dollars in state funding for clients; shape Maryland's medical liability policy; and steer the top healthcare system in the world through the implementation of the Affordable Care Act and the creation of the Maryland Health Benefits Exchange.

    Delora was recognized by the Daily Record in 2017 as a VIP, 40 under 40 and as a Leading Woman in 2013. In 2014 Sanchez was named a Marshall Memorial Fellow -- the flagship leadership development program of the German Marshall Fund of the United States. From 2008 to 2010 she was appointed by the President of Johns Hopkins University to serve on the Johns Hopkins Diversity Leadership Council. During the same time period, she was also appointed by then Governor Martin O'Malley to the Maryland Commission for Environmental Justice and Sustainable Communities.

    Delora is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated, and serves as chair of community engagement on the board of directors for Thread, which engages underperforming high school students facing significant barriers outside of the classroom. As a native of Baltimore and current South Baltimore resident, Delora was proud to accept an appointment by the Speaker of the Maryland House of Delegates to the South Baltimore Gateway Partnership Board. The organization is responsible for distributing approximately $8 million in casino revenue for community development projects in the areas immediately impacted by the casino's construction. Previously, she was a board member of the Charles Village Community Benefits District and Vice Chair of the board for Hope Forward, which provides support transitioning for former foster youth.

    Delora holds a Juris Doctor degree with a concentration in Health Law from University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law and an undergraduate degree in Healthcare Management from Towson University. She is licensed to practice law in Maryland and the District of Columbia. Delora is a lifelong resident of Baltimore and enjoys living downtown, yoga, and biking around the City.

    • 410-935-1470

    • 2 Francis StreetAnnapolisMD21401

    Clients:
    • 410-280-5088

    • 29 Francis StreetAnnapolisMD21401

    Clients: