Rick Allan joined the Pugliese Associates staff as a lobbyist in 2013 after serving as Secretary of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.

His considerable experience with the private sector along with his broad knowledge of the environment enabled him to direct a state agency with a staff of 2,300 employees and an annual budget of $300 million. While with DCNR, Rick oversaw the Department's improvement of the review process for the development and oversight of the natural gas industry activities on PA State lands. This would result in lower costs and more timely permitting decisions for all types of development on state lands.

Rick has been providing reliable and successful lobbying service to clients in the private sector through his extensive knowledge of the state legislative, permitting, and financing process with a proven track record for over 26 years. Rick has worked closely with the business community, several non-profit environmental organizations and state agencies, developing public policy while serving on their advisory committees and boards for many years.

He has developed and maintained close relationships with members of the Pennsylvania General Assembly, legislative leadership, and state agencies. Rick has developed experience in various sectors, ranging from petroleum, paper/forestry, education, landlord/tenant, engineering, coal, utilities, alternative energy an was instrumental in developing the Pennsylvania Recycling Law.

Prior to his public career, Rick was instrumental in rebuilding, modernizing and expanding his family's recycling operations in northeastern PA over a 20 year period. Rick graduated from Wilkes College with a bachelor's degree in environmental sciences & biology. Rick and his wife reside in Camp Hill.

6-10 years

Diana Carlen leads the firm's business and utility practice and has over 20 years of legal and legislative experience. Prior to joining Gordon Thomas Honeywell Governmental Affairs, Diana served as Leadership Counsel to the Senate Republican Caucus. In that role, she also served as the caucus attorney for the following policy issues: energy, natural resources, agriculture, land use, telecommunications and water issues. Prior to working for the Senate, Diana practiced law for several years focusing on land use and environmental issues and also served as a Law Clerk to Chief Justice Gerry Alexander of the Washington State Supreme Court. Diana represents several of the firm's business clients, public utilities, and port clients.

Serving as president of Southern Strategy Group (Louisiana), Rodney Braxton brings the highest levels of public service to the firm. He is experienced in policy development, governmental affairs, legislative relations, budgetary issues, capital improvement projects and enjoys a reputation for "persuasive negotiation skills." As assistant chief of staff to former Governor Murphy J. "Mike" Foster, Rodney supervised transportation, insurance, and labor issues. He also served as associate commissioner of governmental relations for the Louisiana Board of Regents, the state's top higher education board.

Rodney was undersecretary of the Louisiana Department of Labor, the first executive director of the Louisiana Commission on Human Rights and, in 1994, named one of thirty Leaders of the Future by Ebony magazine. An active member of many community and civic organizations, he has served on the boards of Young Leaders Academy, Of Moving Colors Productions and Serve! Baton Rouge.

A native of Louisiana and practicing attorney since 1992, Rodney holds a B.S. in finance from the University of New Orleans and his J.D. from Tulane University Law School where he received a Merit Scholarship and was a quarterfinalist in the 1992 Frederick Douglas Moot Court Competition.

0-5 years

Idea Generation Spartek Ceramics Ltd 1989
Improving Organizational Cash flows, Spartek Ceramics Ltd - 1990
Gold Medalist in CFA Exams- Presented by The Hon. Prime Minister of India, Dr. ManMohan Singh -1996
Excellence Award Nevada Department of Business & Industry - 2013
Recognized by Nevada Legislature for Creating the Nevada Home Retention Program - 2013 Nevada Trailblazer Award Awarded by Minorities Suppliers Development Corporation - 2014
Featured in Nevada Spotlight for many achievements 2014
Prominent Asian Award Asians for Nevada - 2014

2017- Present Founder of Nevada Assisted Living and Senior Care Association.
2016- Present Chairman, Asian Chamber of Commerce PAC.
2015- Present Nevada Capital Investment Corporation
2014- Present - President's Council, Nevada State College
2010- Present - Chairman/President United Citizens Foundation
2015-2016 Technical Advisory Committee to form a plan to re-organize CCSD
2015-2016 First Persons Care Clinic2012- 2015 Member, Board of Directors, State Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBP)
2012-2014 Secretary/Treasurer Home Means Nevada Inc.
2011- 2012 Member Nevada State College Diversity Council.
2010-2012 Vice Chairperson, University Medical Center Hospital Advisory Board.

Ash Mirchandani is a visionary leader who founded Kaizen Strategies. Ash has more than two decades of experience in business, finance, marketing and government. He is the former Deputy Director of the Nevada Department of Business and Industry, where he had oversight of numerous programs including small business advocacy and development, as well as housing, business-related policies, public financing, regulatory reform, community and business outreach, constituent services, bond programs, and new market tax credits.

Prior to his appointment as Deputy Director, he served as the Chief Financial Officer of Workforce Connections managing multi-million dollar budgets in support of workforce development programs. Before joining Workforce Connections, he served as assistant to the Director at the Nevada Department of Employment, Training & Rehabilitation (DETR), Nevada's federally funded workforce development agency and Governor's cabinet-level organization.

Ash has a B.S. in Business Administration from Calcutta University in India and an M.B.A. in Finance from Newport University. He is a Nevada State Certified Public Manager, as well as an Oracle Certified Consultant. Ash has extensive experience in government relations, public policy, regulatory compliance and rule-making. Ash has received many awards and honors, such as the Gold Medal in Chartered Financial Analyst Group Exams, the Excellence Award from the Nevada Department of Business & Industry, the Nevada Trailblazer Award from the Minorities Suppliers Development Corporation, the Prominent Asian Award CANDO and was also selected by Governor Brian Sandoval for recognition for his work at Nevada Business and Industry.

Active in the community, Ash has been involved on many boards and committees related to social services, finance, education, and health care. He is the founding President of the Asian Political Alliance and is the founding Chairman of United Citizens Foundation. He previously served as the Vice Chair of the Hospital Advisory Board at UMC, Director of Home Means Nevada Inc., and the public employees benefit board.

6-10 years

LaDarion Ammons is a Jackson, MS native. After graduating from Mississippi State University, where he received a bachelor's degree in Political Science, LaDarion returned home to help run his family businesses.

During the 2014 Legislative Session, LaDarion served as a Policy Assistant for the Mississippi Speaker of the House. Shortly thereafter, Ammons attended the Mississippi College School of Law. After graduating in 2017, he began his career in Governmental Relations and Lobbying.

In addition to his career, LaDarion is very active in his community. He serves as a Board Member on the City of Jackson Planning Board, The Refill Jackson Initiative, and is a proud member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. In 2014, he became the co-founder and CEO of the non-profit mentoring program, Brothers of Mississippi, Inc., with the vision to "Empower the youth through education, service, and leadership." LaDarion also is an Adjunct Professor at Millsaps College, where he teaches Local and State Politics.?LaDarion and his wife, Courtney, have one "child" named Zoey, which is a Boston Terrier. Some of his hobbies are golfing, traveling, reading, parasailing, and spending time with family.

In work and life LaDarion follows a saying by Margaret Mead, "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world, indeed, it's the only thing that ever has."

Why Did You Choose Lobbying?
I could have never imagined having the honor of working in governmental relations and representing so many diverse groups and interests. Having a passion for policy and government interfacing drove my interest for jumping into this field, but more importantly the need of some many Mississippians from all walks of life.

Practice Areas (Specialties)
Association Management
Non- Profits/Trade Associations
Procurement
Rules, Regulations, and Compliance
Federal Advocacy

20+ years

Alton Ashy established Advanced Strategies nearly two decades ago. As the firm's president, Alton brings a wealth of knowledge, a strong work ethic and sharp business insight to his projects. He began his professional career as a legislative staffer working for both the Louisiana Senate and House of Representatives and quickly transitioned into governmental relations representing clients including Louisiana State University. Alton's ability to quickly assess an issue and develop a winning legislative strategy has helped Advanced Strategies achieve great success for its clients over the years.

Tim Schellberg is the Founder and President of Gordon Thomas Honeywell Governmental Affairs, an internationally known governmental affairs and government business market development firm. In addition to serving as the firm's managing partner, Tim maintains an active governmental affairs and market development practice, and provides strategic direction to the firm's four primary divisions: International, Multi-State, Federal, and Washington State. Under Tim's leadership, the firm has had impressive growth and success.

Tim is recognized nationally and internationally for his work to create and grow new markets by collaborating with business and government to implement dynamic public policy and technology based solutions. Tim has used over 25 years of professional experience, worldwide contacts and knowledge of global government institutions to actively lead legislative based projects in over 30 countries and within the United States.

David Shepp joins Southern Strategy Group after leading Florida Strategic Group, a full-service government affairs consulting firm, for 13 years. David provides services to state and local governments, businesses, educational institutions, economic development entities, national companies, and statewide trade associations. Activities include legislative and agency monitoring and advocacy, research and analysis, resource development and strategic communications. Throughout his years lobbying, David has secured tens of millions of dollars for clients in the Florida budget.

With a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from Florida State University, David started his practical experience in Florida politics in 1996. David learned the intricacies of the Florida Legislature while assisting the lobbying efforts for multiple clients of the Fowler White Law Firm. Later that year, David accepted a position as a field representative with the Republican Party acting as a liaison to Central Florida candidates, including then-candidate Adam Putnam.

After Rep. Putnam's 1996 campaign, David was retained in the position of Legislative Assistant where he enjoyed four years of relationship building both in Polk County and in Tallahassee before managing now-Commissioner of Agriculture Putnam's victorious Congressional campaign in 2000.

David is skilled at developing, maintaining, and strengthening relationships essential to governmental representation before the Legislature and state agencies. David works very closely with the DeSoto, Charlotte, Hardee, Highlands, Hillsborough, Manatee, Osceola, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, and Sarasota legislative delegations.

In addition to his comprehensive institutional knowledge of the Florida Legislature, David enjoys personal and professional relationships with legislative leaders and key Chairmen and Chairwomen at every level of the legislative committee structure. David also enjoys strong working relationships with many of the staff behind the scenes of public policymaking.

B.S., Cum Laude,
Texas Tech University
Major: Agricultural & Applied Economics

Drew DeBerry has more than 20 years of experience at the highest levels of public policy development and implementation. He has dedicated his years of service to developing a wealth of knowledge and relationships that complement the growing range of clients at Axis Strategic Partners.

DeBerry served on Governor Greg Abbott's senior staff for the first three years of his term as governor, most recently serving as Director of Budget and Policy and as Policy Director prior to that. In those roles, DeBerry worked closely with executive agency commissioners, directors, and staff as well as legislative offices on all aspects of the state budget and programs throughout state government.

Prior to working for Governor Abbott, DeBerry was the Deputy Commissioner of the Texas Department of Agriculture under then-Commissioner Todd Staples. This position followed several years in Washington, D.C. serving under President George W. Bush as the White House Liaison and Deputy Chief of Staff at USDA. He began his career working in the legislative arena as a staff member in the Texas State Senate.

Throughout his extensive public service career, DeBerry has also worked on state and national political campaigns to develop grassroots coalitions and help to direct overall campaign strategy.

A graduate of Texas Tech University, Drew and his wife, Kara, have four outstanding and talented children.

Seth McKeel recently concluded a long and distinguished career in public service that began in 2000 with his election to the Lakeland City Commission at the age of 24. Seth was elected to the Florida House of Representatives in 2006 and re-elected subsequently until the conclusion of his eight year term limit in November of 2014. A Tampa Bay area native, Seth's among the fifth generation in his family to call Florida home.

Early in his legislative career, Seth tackled tough issues including higher education reform as well as energy, agriculture, and natural resources policy. A strong commitment to fiscal responsibility earned Seth the trust of House Speaker Will Weatherford. In 2012 the Speaker tapped Seth to be the Chairman of the Appropriations Committee where he led the Florida House's efforts to balance the $77 billion budget of the third largest state in the Union. Under his leadership Florida maintained AAA bond rating and set aside more than $3 billion in healthy reserves.

As a former City Commissioner, Seth understands regional issues and excels at achieving local consensus. Legislative colleagues trusted Seth to chair the Polk County Legislative Delegation, Hillsborough County Legislative Delegation for two years in a row, and larger 9-county Bay Area Legislative Delegation.

A graduate of the University of Florida (UF), Seth recently was awarded the Presidential Medallion, one of the university's highest awards, for his contributions and service to UF and higher education in our state. Seth is a Graduate of Leadership Florida, Leadership Lakeland, and a member of Florida Blue Key -- "Florida's oldest and most prestigious Leadership Honorary since 1923."

Seth credits the YMCA's Youth in Government program for sparking his interest in public service and his respect for civic engagement. Seth has a knack for solving problems and excels at building relationships.

Seth proudly serves on the Board of Directors of the Fish and Wildlife Foundation of Florida and is a member of Leadership Florida's West Central Florida Regional Council.

Seth and his wife Kim, who's also a Tampa Bay native, live in Lakeland with their two children Seth, III and Caroline.

20+ years

Nonpartisan staff for House members during development and passage of Washington's Forests & Fish law.

Josh has relationships with key legislators, statewide elected officials, agency staff and locally elected officials across the state.

Prior to joining the GTH-GA team, Josh spent nearly 10 years advocating for counties, serving as the Legislative Relations and Policy Director and General Counsel for the Washington State Association of Counties. Josh started working in Olympia in 1998 as nonpartisan counsel to the House of Representatives and served as Legislative Director for the Department of Fish and Wildlife. As Environmental Policy Director for the Washington Forest Protection Association he represented private forest landowners in the state's environmental regulatory system. He also assisted in Governor Locke's water reform efforts. Josh is a member of the Washington State Bar Association, graduate of Central Washington University and the Vermont Law School, and is a fourth generation Washingtonian. He lives in Olympia with his wife Karen.

Laura Boehmer brings a wide range of experience in local, state, and federal policy to Southern Strategy Group's Tampa Bay office. Having worked in and around government for over 16 years, Laura has assisted elected officials, community organizations, governments, and businesses in achieving their goals.

Prior to joining Southern Strategy Group, Laura served as the chief lobbyist for the City of St. Petersburg (City). Laura was responsible for all policy and appropriation issues. In that role, Laura directed the federal appropriations process for the City and succeeded in securing millions of dollars in federal grants and earmarks. In addition to her federal work for the City, Laura was also responsible for developing, strategizing, and advocating for the City's State Legislative Program and was also instrumental in the creation and implementation of the City's Sustainability Program.

In her role at the City, Laura served as staff for former Mayor Rick Baker in his roles as the Chairman of the Century Commission of a Sustainable Florida, Vice Chair of the Governor's Action Team on Energy and Climate Change, and Group Leader of Governor Crist's Transition Team. This experience gave Laura extensive exposure to numerous policy issues and the opportunity to build statewide relationships with political and business leaders.

Prior to working for the City, Laura served as legislative staff in the Florida House of Representatives. Laura also worked for a private lobbying firm representing clients on a wide variety of issues. Laura has staffed and volunteered on various campaigns and worked with a national corporation on nation-wide grass roots efforts to pass legislation. Having analyzed patterns of Congress and maintained PAC communications between a corporate government relations department and PAC members, Laura is well versed in the political efforts of both private and public sectors.

B.A., Miami University
Major: Political Science

Advising clients on a broad range of topics in Texas and beyond is what Greg Macksood has dedicated his life to for the past 20 years. During that time, he has served as a trusted advisor to a wide range of clientele including Fortune 100 corporations, state trade associations and seed capital pre-revenue startups in developing political, legislative, media and grassroots engagement strategies throughout the country.

After attending Miami University in Oxford, Ohio where he received a B.A. in Political Science, Macksood split his time between Columbus, Ohio and Washington, D.C. working for a national public affairs and government relations firm. There, he focused on healthcare, tax policy, and natural resources.

Since then, Macksood has directed the government relations efforts in Texas for one of the nation's largest energy companies. It was during that time that he served on numerous boards and held multiple leadership positions across several trade associations. All the while, Macksood was learning how to navigate different political climates across Texas and effectively advocate for the energy sector, maintaining and developing deep political relationships in both parties.

In addition to his deep legislative relationships across both sides of the aisle, Macksood also has extensive experience representing interests before Texas regulatory agencies on issues including water, transportation, eminent domain, air permitting, insurance, healthcare, electricity and land use and minerals. His intimate knowledge of agency procedures makes him an effective advocate for his clients.

As for political experience, Macksood has managed statewide ballot initiatives, created issue advocacy coalitions, and implemented media communications strategies.

Greg is also the father of three young children who keep him and his wife Dakota busy outside of the world of politics.

20+ years

Rocco founded the firm of Pugliese Associates in 1980 working from a small office in Harrisburg with a single client. The firm now maintains offices in Harrisburg and Philadelphia with close to 50 clients including: non-profit organizations, universities, government authorities, venture capitalists, state and national corporations, and trade associations.

Rocco has more than 35 years of lobbying and state government experience. Starting his working years in the mid-70's employed in the State Senate; he was later hired as an aide to the House Transportation Committee. In his years of lobbying, Rocco has been active on a number of highly visible, diverse and complex issues. They include such topics as gaming, corporate initiatives and ventures, appropriations, tobacco settlement, economic development, workers' compensation, state procurement, along with a variety of other policy and legislative issues.

Rocco graduated from Gannon University in 1975 with a BA in Political Science, and he also holds a Masters degree in Public Administration from Penn State University.

Experience, Integrity, and Results- Rocco's motivation, commitment, leadership and direction are what make Pugliese Associates what it is today.

Prior to joining Jones Walker, Paul worked for Congressman Bob Livingston for more than 20 years, serving as legislative director and associate appropriations committee staffer. In this capacity, Paul was a primary advisor on all federal appropriations and related congressional authorization committees as well as federal agency and executive branch policy matters. Through this involvement, Paul has developed a vast network of contacts in the federal, congressional, and private sectors. He also has acquired extensive experience in the development and implementation of the 12 annual appropriations measures, related authorization bills, and federal agency and executive branch programmatic, jurisdictional, and policy issues.

Paul is a founding partner of the Livingston Group, which has had a strategic alliance with Jones Walker since 1999. Drawing on his knowledge and experience, he has helped a variety of clients attain policy, regulatory, and legislative goals with key members of various congressional committees, the White House, and executive branch agencies.

Paul has advocated issues, prepared appropriations and authorization bills, and developed report language for clients in a variety of industries, including financial services, national security, information technology, education, corps of engineers, transportation and infrastructure, maritime, energy, social services, and other sectors.

Since early 1999, Paul has provided ongoing volunteer services and support to the National World War II Museum in New Orleans.

0-5 years

Boys and Girls Club of Louisiana - Board Member

Gretna Economic Development Association - Past President

Gretna Heritage Festival - Past Board Member

Westbank Coastal Conservation Association - Board Member

Westbank Ducks Unlimited Chapter - Board Member

Bachelors Club of New Orleans - Member

Senator Danny Martiny Campaign - Campaign Management Team

Elton Lagasse for Parish President - Campaign Manager

Mark Morgan for School Board - Campaign Manager

Sheriff Joseph Lopinto - Westbank Campaign ManagerLouisiana

Video Gaming Association - Associate Member

Senator David Heitmeier - Former Intern

Senate President John Alario - Former Aide

Jefferson Parish Council - Former Intern

Loyola University Institute of Politics - Graduate

Association of Louisiana Lobbyists - Member

Ryan Templet is a lobbyist with Advanced Strategies inc., a government relations firm founded by veteran lobbyist Alton Ashy in 1992. Advanced Strategies has offices in Baton Rouge and New Orleans and for nearly thirty years has represented dozens of clients on high profile issues at the local, state and executive level with impeccable results. Advances Strategies has provided winning strategies to clients in a broad range of industries including gaming, health care, utilities, technology and more.

Ryan first acquired his taste for politics at a young age volunteering for local elections in Gretna, LA where he grew up. In high school, Ryan began working at the Louisiana State Capitol as an intern, where he made in roads with a number of Legislators and shortly thereafter began interning in the Louisiana Senate. In College, Ryan worked as the Legislative Aide for Senate President John Alario, where he worked for five years. Under President Alario, the longest serving member of the Louisiana Legislature, Ryan learned the details of the Legislative process, the Senate and House rules, the art of compromise, the importance of building coalitions, and the value in working with individuals of competing interests and different views to successfully pass a Legislative agenda.

Ryan has worked extensively in a number of Legislative, local, and Parish-wide elections giving him an in depth knowledge of how to identify winning candidates, and a knowledge of grassroots advocacy which he utilized to services clients as a lobbyist. Having extensive knowledge of the Legislature after working for both the Louisiana House and Senate, Ryan joined Alton Ashy at Advanced Strategies inc., where he has helped Alton to grow his client base and further the success that ASI has seen in developing and implementing effective legislative government relations strategies. Presently, Ryan works with Alton to represent a broad range of clients such as the Louisiana Video Poker industry, the Louisiana Video Gaming Association (LVGA), Jacobs Entertainment, the Interventional Pain Therapists Association of Louisiana, Our Lady of the Lake Hospital System, Waste Management (WM), Entergy Louisiana, Baron and Bud Law Firm, Copart inc, DRC, Callan Marine, SAS Institute, Drizly, HNTB Corporation, Louisiana Coalition for Access to Autism Services, Louisiana Association of Applied Behavior Analysts, AETNA inc, the National Football League Players Association, and more.

Alton Ashy is the President of Advanced Strategies. As the firm's president, Alton brings a wealth of knowledge, a strong work ethic and sharp business insight to his projects. Ryan and Alton specialize in helping their clients manage high profile State Legislative and Executive level issues. Ryan and Alton are an extremely effective team for their clients. Priorities for Ryan and Alton in assisting all clients include constant communication, working with Legislators on both sides of the aisle, educating Legislators on both sides of an issue, working with other lobbyists on both sides of an issue, and finding the best solution to an issue. Ryan and Alton provide each client with the respect that they deserve and treat every client as a part of their own family. Their experience in a broad range of industries and willingness to make themselves available as needed to clients make them a perfect match for anyone seeking representation in Louisiana.