20+ years

In 2020, named by the Hartford Business Journal as one of the top 50 most influential people in Hartford.

In 2017 she was honored as "Practitioner of the Year" by the Greater CT Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA).

In 2005, recognized by the Hartford Business Journal as one of eight top woman business owners.

Developed and implemented several Connecticut market entry initiatives for a global banking interest, outpatient medical and behavior health facilities and a renewable energy company.

Led several multi-organizational coalitions to pass landmark legislation on scholarship funding, tort reform, energy deregulation, managed care regulation and tax initiative opposition.

Drives business strategy and best practices for two separate and widely respected companies.

Appointed by the Mayor of Hartford to Chair the Hartford Parking Authority.

Prior to starting Sullivan & LeShane, Inc. (S&L) in 1983 and Sullivan & LeShane Public Relations in 1988, served as Director of External and Public Affairs for a highly respected statewide medical and vocational rehabilitation organization.

Member and Secretary of the University of Saint Joseph Board of Trustees and chairs the Academic Women's Leadership. Vice Chair of the Washington-based Public Affairs Council, a professional association of corporate/national organizations.

Holds a Master's Degree in Healthcare Finance from the Rensselaer Lally School of Business and a Bachelor's of Science Degree in Leadership and Community Development from Springfield College. Participated in select executive level programs at Stanford University and McGill University. In addition, participated in the Yale School of Management leadership program.

20+ years

In 2020, recognized by the Hartford Business Journal as one of the top 50 most influential people in Hartford.

Secured the initial state funding needed for UConn to build Gampel Pavilion.

Led the government relations team for several industry mergers requiring approvals from the Office of the Attorney General, State Legislature and other regulatory bodies.

Point person working with the City of Stamford, resulting in $240 million in infrastructure funds.

Sought after political strategist with close ties to every major statewide and local political leader in the state.

Drives business strategy and best practices for two separate and widely respected companies.

A veteran political strategist, played key roles in the presidential campaigns of Gerald Ford, Ronald Reagan and former Senator Robert Dole, as well the campaigns of former Congresswoman Nancy Johnson, Senator Joseph Lieberman and several Connecticut governors. Most recently served as a senior adviser for two U.S. Senate campaigns and trusted thought leader for two Connecticut Governors.

Graduate of Fairfield University with a BS in Sociology.

Began lobbying career with the Hartford Chamber of Commerce, and then with Connecticut's largest beverage trade association. In 1983, joined his partner Paddi LeShane in founding S&L and, five years later, they founded Sullivan & LeShane Public Relations, Inc. (SLPR)

0-5 years

Past president of CT Conference of Municipalities

Recipient of Connecticut Magazine's "Forty under 40" award.

While serving as Mayor, passed municipal budgets, negotiated union contracts, deal with numerous crisis' and natural disasters.

Recognized on several fronts for achievements within the municipal sector. Also served as the Government Affairs Director for a multi-state waste and recycling company dealing with municipal and state policy.

Was elected as the youngest mayor in the state at age 22.

Served eight years in office as Mayor of the Town of Torrington.

0-5 years

Previously appointed by Texas Governor Greg Abbott to serve as the Governor's designee Chair for the Texas Bond Review Board.

14. Ky's experience in Texas government is notable, previously serving as State Budget Director for Governor Abbott, as well as serving as the Governor's designee Chair for the Texas Bond Review Board. Before his time in the Governor's office, Ky spent the better part of two decades in the Texas House of Representatives serving as Chief of Staff and Legislative Director for former State Representative Jim Keffer. As Chief of Staff for then-Representative Keffer, Ky also served as Chief Clerk for several Texas House committees, including Ways and Means, Energy Resources, Economic Development and the Select Committee on Property Tax Relief.

A proven strategist and passionate advocate for his clients, Ky Ash has more than twenty years of experience working in the Texas Legislature and executive branch of Texas state government. Ky's work covers all major policy areas, with a particular emphasis in budget, economic development, energy and tax policy matters.

Known as a mover and shaker around Austin, Texas Energy Report noted that Ky is, "well known in the Capitol for his expertise in energy, taxes and budgeting."

With an innate sense for the economics of business and armed with deep industry knowledge, Ky is sought out by a wide range of companies and organizations across the State. His clients include Fortune 500 companies, trade associations and businesses engaged in matters related to e-commerce, higher education, healthcare, information technology, transportation, energy, electricity, telecommunications, public safety and manufacturing.

Ky's experience in Texas government is notable, previously serving as State Budget Director for Governor Abbott, as well as serving as the Governor's designee Chair for the Texas Bond Review Board.

Before his time in the Governor's office, Ky spent the better part of two decades in the Texas House of Representatives serving as Chief of Staff and Legislative Director for former State Representative Jim Keffer. As Chief of Staff for then-Representative Keffer, Ky also served as Chief Clerk for several Texas House committees, including Ways and Means, Energy Resources, Economic Development and the Select Committee on Property Tax Relief.

Prior to joining HBS, Ky served as Government Affairs Advisor at K&L Gates.

LYNN STOKES-MURRAY serves as the Government Relations Director in Burr Forman McNair's Columbia office. Lynn is a governmental affairs and lobbying consultant who represents clients at the South Carolina State House and in local government matters.

Prior to joining the firm, Lynn was actively involved in numerous political campaigns across the state, including managing a South Carolina Congressional race in 1988. She has authored and implemented grassroots plans for major corporations to engage employees in the political process. Additionally, she drafts legislation and has extensive knowledge of the legislative rules and appropriations process.

Lynn recently served as chairperson and continues on the board of The Advocacy Group (TAG), which was established in 1992 as the first international public affairs and government relations corporation to provide a diverse array of professional advocacy services internationally.

20+ years

Justin Sayfie is a government relations consultant, digital entrepreneur and attorney. Justin previously served as the spokesman and a top policy advisor for former Florida Governor Jeb Bush. In 2018, he was appointed by President Donald J. Trump to serve as a Commissioner on the President's Commission on White House Fellowships, where he previously served in the administration of President George W. Bush from 2007-2009. In this role, Justin participates in the selection of White House Fellows and oversee the nation's top leadership development program. Additionally, in 2005, Justin was appointed by U.S. Senator Mel Martinez as Chairman of the Federal Judicial Nominating Commission for the Southern District of Florida, where he led the initial nominating process for Federal Judges and U.S. Attorneys in South Florida.

He appears regularly as a political commentator on CNN, Fox News and MSNBC. Justin has also published Florida's leading political news site and mobile app, Sayfie Review, since 2002.

In 2007, Justin served as a delegate for the American Council on Germany's Young Leader Conference in Berlin and Munich, and in 2008 he served as a delegate in the American Swiss Foundation's Young Leader's Conference in Geneva. He remains active in both organizations.

Sayfie received his bachelor's degree in American Government from Georgetown University, and his juris doctor, cum laude, from the University of Miami.

Jeff Hamling joined Cornerstone in 2017, bringing a wealth of experience and relationships in Atlanta, Georgia. Jeff came to the firm after two years as a lobbyist in Dentons' Atlanta and Washington offices where he represented a number of corporate, governmental, and non-profit clients.

Prior to Dentons, Jeff worked at the Georgia Chamber of Commerce as vice president for state and federal affairs. Jeff joined the Chamber after serving then-Congressman Tom Price for over five years. Starting as a staff assistant, Jeff was quickly promoted to deputy chief of staff, overseeing the Atlanta office and various aspects of the federal legislative staff.

Jeff has also been recognized by prestigious organizations for professional accomplishments: profiled in Capitol Impact Magazine's People on the Move, "Rookie of the Year" award voted on by his peers in the Georgia lobbying community, and James Magazine's Georgia's Political Influencers in Washington, D.C.

Sally Kilpatrick advises a diverse set of clients on state legislative and regulatory issues with a focus on healthcare, energy, education and economic development policy. Sally joined Cornerstone's Atlanta, Georgia office in September 2015 and has more than 10 years of experience providing strategic advice to the private sector.

Prior to joining Cornerstone, Sally served as vice president of government affairs at the Georgia Chamber of Commerce, the state's largest business advocacy organization. Through her seven-year tenure at the Chamber, Sally developed an extensive background managing legislative and regulatory issues in the policy areas of water, energy, education, economic development and health care. While at the Chamber, Sally served on the Technology Association of Georgia's Government Affairs Taskforce and the Georgia Water Alliance. She managed the Georgia Chamber's Local Chamber Legislative Ad Hoc Committee and legislative affairs for Chamber's Small Business Advisory Council.

She has established strong, bipartisan working relationships with House and Senate members of the Georgia General Assembly and state agency officials. Her industry specific knowledge and key relationships have been valuable in assisting clients to successfully achieve their legislative and regulatory objectives at the state Capitol.

Sally is a current board member of Atlanta Moms Making A Difference and serves on the executive committee of the Georgia Chamber's Government Affairs Council.

Sally earned her B.S. in Journalism at Appalachian State University in Boone, North Carolina. She and her husband Trey reside in Atlanta with their daughter, Phen, and son, Clark.