About Us
Founded in 1998, we are the leading association for government affairs professionals. We are dedicated to assisting our members in developing and maintaining the highest ethical standards and most effective practices through superior networking, education, and training opportunities. Our member firms represent clients with a broad range of interests, from small local organizations to Fortune 500 companies. When you engage one of our lobbying firms, you are working with the best of the best.
Meet the Officers
Learn More About Ryan
Ryan Haynie is a partner at Haynie and Associates, the government relations and lobbying firm his father and namesake founded in 1980. With nearly two decades of experience, he is recognized for his expertise in local government consulting, DBE relationships, and procurement. He is the president of RKH Consulting and vice president of Capitol View Development and Louisiana Trading Company. He is also the president and co-owner of Louisiana Governmental Studies, which authors, publishes, and markets the state’s most trusted legislative resource. He is a graduate of Louisiana State University.
Learn More About Tim
Timothy Ward is the president of Michigan Legislative Consultants (MLC), the state’s oldest lobbying firm. Before joining MLC, he worked for Michigan Governor John Engler, including as the director of external affairs, deputy director of public affairs, and re-election campaign manager. During his career, he has held staff positions in the Michigan House and Senate, in Oakland County government, and was the senior director of government affairs for the Michigan Credit Union League. He is a graduate of Albion College and Detroit College of Law.
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Sunnie Harmon is the founder and co-owner of LobbySC, one of the state’s leading pro-business government relations firms with a broad range of clients, including corporations, trade associations, and manufacturers. A former “Economic Development Lobbyist of the Year,” she specializes in tax policy, incentives, and credits; business, workforce, and labor issues; appropriations and procurement; and more. She previously served as a Congressional staff member and is a graduate of Clemson University.
Learn More About Jason
Jason Kreizenbeck is the co-founder, president, and CEO of Lobby Idaho, with more than 25 years of experience in policy development, strategic planning, coalition building, lobbying, public relations, and communications. During his career, he has served in numerous government and political positions, including chief of staff to Idaho Governor C.L “Butch” Otter; director of government affairs for Micron Technology, Inc.; deputy campaign manager and finance director for U.S. Congressman Mike Simpson; government affairs specialist for Connolly and Smyser, Ctd.; and special assistant, staff assistant, and campaign field director for Idaho Governor Philip E. Batt. He is a graduate of Whitman College.
Learn more about Jason, the Lobby Idaho firm, and NASL’s firm for the State of Idaho
Learn More About Trish
Trish Hart is the principal of Arizona Lobbying, a premier lobbying firm offering comprehensive government relations solutions. She has represented clients’ interests at the Arizona Legislature and before state regulatory agencies, counties, and municipalities for nearly three decades. She specializes in grassroots organizing, crisis communications, and government and media relations. She holds a bachelor’s from Southern Utah University and a master’s in public administration from Webster University.
Learn more about Trish, Arizona Lobbying, and NASL’s firm for the State of Arizona
Meet the Officers
Learn More About Ryan
Ryan Haynie is a partner at Haynie and Associates, the government relations and lobbying firm his father and namesake founded in 1980. With nearly two decades of experience, he is recognized for his expertise in local government consulting, DBE relationships, and procurement. He is the president of RKH Consulting and vice president of Capitol View Development and Louisiana Trading Company. He is also the president and co-owner of Louisiana Governmental Studies, which authors, publishes, and markets the state’s most trusted legislative resource. He is a graduate of Louisiana State University.
Learn More About Tim
Timothy Ward is the president of Michigan Legislative Consultants (MLC), the state’s oldest lobbying firm. Before joining MLC, he worked for Michigan Governor John Engler, including as the director of external affairs, deputy director of public affairs, and re-election campaign manager. During his career, he has held staff positions in the Michigan House and Senate, in Oakland County government, and was the senior director of government affairs for the Michigan Credit Union League. He is a graduate of Albion College and Detroit College of Law.
Learn More about Sunnie
Sunnie Harmon is the founder and co-owner of LobbySC, one of the state’s leading pro-business government relations firms with a broad range of clients, including corporations, trade associations, and manufacturers. A former “Economic Development Lobbyist of the Year,” she specializes in tax policy, incentives, and credits; business, workforce, and labor issues; appropriations and procurement; and more. She previously served as a Congressional staff member and is a graduate of Clemson University.
Learn More About Jason
Jason Kreizenbeck is the co-founder, president, and CEO of Lobby Idaho, with more than 25 years of experience in policy development, strategic planning, coalition building, lobbying, public relations, and communications. During his career, he has served in numerous government and political positions, including chief of staff to Idaho Governor C.L “Butch” Otter; director of government affairs for Micron Technology, Inc.; deputy campaign manager and finance director for U.S. Congressman Mike Simpson; government affairs specialist for Connolly and Smyser, Ctd.; and special assistant, staff assistant, and campaign field director for Idaho Governor Philip E. Batt. He is a graduate of Whitman College.
Learn more about Jason, the Lobby Idaho firm, and NASL’s firm for the State of Idaho
Learn More About Trish
Trish Hart is the principal of Arizona Lobbying, a premier lobbying firm offering comprehensive government relations solutions. She has represented clients’ interests at the Arizona Legislature and before state regulatory agencies, counties, and municipalities for nearly three decades. She specializes in grassroots organizing, crisis communications, and government and media relations. She holds a bachelor’s from Southern Utah University and a master’s in public administration from Webster University.
Learn more about Trish, Arizona Lobbying, and NASL’s firm for the State of Arizona
Board of Directors:
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Bio for Robert Bohannon coming soon.
Learn more about Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP and NASL’s firm for the State of Virginia
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Bruce Coppa is the president of Capitol Consultants of Hawaii, a leading strategic government affairs and business solutions firm. As chief of staff to Governor Neil Abercrombie, he oversaw the state government’s daily operations and was the liaison for its agency heads. He previously served as the comptroller of Hawaii, executive director of Pacific Resource Partners, vice president of operations, marketing, and planning for E.E. Black, Ltd., and COO of Communications Pacific.
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Sean Cutter is the executive director of MML&K Government Solutions, representing clients for more than 25 years in issues like health care, insurance, banking, economic development, manufacturing, telecommunications, and information technology. He is a former policy analyst, contributor writer, and coordinator for the Council of State Governments focusing on midwestern government affairs. He is a Kentucky native and Centre College alumnus.
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Jodi Hart has been a partner with RRJ Consulting in Utah for more than two decades. She is widely known as one of the state’s most effective lobbyists, focusing on telecommunications, utility regulation, health care, ethics, consumer electronics, finance, local government, and higher education. An expert on Utah’s ethical standards and training, she often serves as a guest lecturer to schools, colleges, universities, and professional groups, including at her alma mater, Southern Utah University.
Learn more about Jodi, RRJ Consulting, and NASL’s firm for the State of Utah
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Todd Hill is the founder and president of Hill Capitol Strategies, with more than 30 years of experience in Minnesota politics and government affairs, representing Fortune 500 companies, trade associations, coalitions, and nonprofits. He previously co-founded and served as the managing partner at Cook Hill Girard Associates. He has worked in political operations for Minnesota Governor Arne Carlson, U.S. Senator Norm Coleman, Minnesota Senate Minority Leader Duane Benson, and U.S. Congressman Rick Hill. He has been a fundraising and campaign consultant to the Minnesota House and Senate Republican caucuses.
Learn more about Hill Capitol Strategies, Inc., and NASL’s firm for the State of Minnesota
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Matt Irish is vice chairman of O’Neill and Associates, where he also serves as manager of the government relations team. With more than 25 years of experience with the Massachusetts state legislature and political campaigns, he often provides counsel on large-scale business development initiatives. He is the former chief of staff, senior legislative aide, and staff director for Massachusetts State Senator Steven Tolman and press assistant to then-U.S. Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle. A graduate of UMass Amherst, he holds master’s degrees from Boston College and the John W. McCormack Graduate School of Policy Studies at UMass Boston.
Learn more about Matt, the O’Neill & Associates firm, and NASL’s firm for the State of Massachusetts
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Amy Kellogg is the group leader for Harter Secrest & Emery LLP’s government affairs practice. As a partner, she is also responsible for overseeing the firm’s Albany office. She represents professional associations, businesses, and nonprofits before New York State government on myriad issues, from procurement to campaign finance. Before entering the lobbying field, she was a legislative aide to New York Assemblywoman Helene E. Weinstein, chair of the influential Ways and Means Committee. She is a graduate of SUNY Potsdam and Albany Law School.
Learn more about Amy, the Harter Secrest & Emery firm, and NASL’s firm for the State of New York
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Bio for Brent Ludeman coming soon.
Learn more about Ludeman Public Affairs and NASL’s firm for the State of Washington
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Bio for Andrea Mansfield coming soon.
Learn more about Manis Canning & Associates and NASL’s firm for the State of Maryland
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Bio for Ted Mullenix coming soon.
Learn more about Mullenix & Associates and NASL’s firm for the State of Arkansas
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Dan Riley is an attorney and lobbyist with Norman Hanson DeTroy, where he chairs the firm’s government relations practice. He has over 25 years of experience representing clients from various industries, trade associations, candidates, and political action committees, with an emphasis on the energy sector. He previously served as chair of the government affairs practice group of Lex Mundi and has been counsel to the Maine Republican Party and two Republican presidential campaigns. He is a graduate of Siena College and the University of Maine School of Law and is a former U.S. Navy deep sea diving officer.
Learn more about Dan, the Norman, Hanson & DeTroy firm, and NASL’s firm for the State of Maine
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Scott Scanland has been a professional lobbyist for 35 regular and 16 special sessions in the New Mexico State Legislature. A former elected official, he began his work at the State Capitol as a citizen lobbyist in 1986 on behalf of his community and founded New Mexico Government Affairs in 1996. Throughout his career, he has represented clients on diverse issues, including health care, gaming, taxes, technology, alcohol, finance, fireworks, insurance, education, energy, capital outlay appropriations, tobacco, and local government and budget matters. In 2019, his firm formed an exclusive partnership with Zia Strategies.
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Bio for David Smith coming soon.
Learn more about Princeton Public Affairs Group and NASL’s firm for the State of New Jersey
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Bio for Ted Thompson coming soon.
Learn more about Thompson & Associates, LLC and NASL’s firm for the State of Mississippi
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Bio for Fred Thompsn II coming soon.
Learn more about Thompson Government Relations and NASL’s firm for the State of Tennessee
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Benjamin Whipple is a partner with Third Reading Consulting Group, Inc., a law firm specializing in lobbying and representing clients before the Illinois government. He has previously worked at law firms, as a federal law clerk for the then-Chief United States District Court Judge for the Southern District of Alabama, and as a multi-state governmental affairs professional for a publicly traded company. He earned his bachelor’s from the University of Michigan and his law degree from the University of Notre Dame, where he graduated cum laude.
Learn more about Ben, Third Reading Consulting Group, and NASL’s firm for the State of Illinois
Board of Directors:
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Bio for Robert Bohannon coming soon.
Learn more about Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP and NASL’s firm for the State of Virginia
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Bruce Coppa is the president of Capitol Consultants of Hawaii, a leading strategic government affairs and business solutions firm. As chief of staff to Governor Neil Abercrombie, he oversaw the state government’s daily operations and was the liaison for its agency heads. He previously served as the comptroller of Hawaii, executive director of Pacific Resource Partners, vice president of operations, marketing, and planning for E.E. Black, Ltd., and COO of Communications Pacific.
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Sean Cutter is the executive director of MML&K Government Solutions, representing clients for more than 25 years in issues like health care, insurance, banking, economic development, manufacturing, telecommunications, and information technology. He is a former policy analyst, contributor writer, and coordinator for the Council of State Governments focusing on midwestern government affairs. He is a Kentucky native and Centre College alumnus.
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Jodi Hart has been a partner with RRJ Consulting in Utah for more than two decades. She is widely known as one of the state’s most effective lobbyists, focusing on telecommunications, utility regulation, health care, ethics, consumer electronics, finance, local government, and higher education. An expert on Utah’s ethical standards and training, she often serves as a guest lecturer to schools, colleges, universities, and professional groups, including at her alma mater, Southern Utah University.
Learn more about Jodi, RRJ Consulting, and NASL’s firm for the State of Utah
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Todd Hill is the founder and president of Hill Capitol Strategies, with more than 30 years of experience in Minnesota politics and government affairs, representing Fortune 500 companies, trade associations, coalitions, and nonprofits. He previously co-founded and served as the managing partner at Cook Hill Girard Associates. He has worked in political operations for Minnesota Governor Arne Carlson, U.S. Senator Norm Coleman, Minnesota Senate Minority Leader Duane Benson, and U.S. Congressman Rick Hill. He has been a fundraising and campaign consultant to the Minnesota House and Senate Republican caucuses.
Learn more about Hill Capitol Strategies, Inc., and NASL’s firm for the State of Minnesota
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Matt Irish is vice chairman of O’Neill and Associates, where he also serves as manager of the government relations team. With more than 25 years of experience with the Massachusetts state legislature and political campaigns, he often provides counsel on large-scale business development initiatives. He is the former chief of staff, senior legislative aide, and staff director for Massachusetts State Senator Steven Tolman and press assistant to then-U.S. Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle. A graduate of UMass Amherst, he holds master’s degrees from Boston College and the John W. McCormack Graduate School of Policy Studies at UMass Boston.
Learn more about Matt, the O’Neill & Associates firm, and NASL’s firm for the State of Massachusetts
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Amy Kellogg is the group leader for Harter Secrest & Emery LLP’s government affairs practice. As a partner, she is also responsible for overseeing the firm’s Albany office. She represents professional associations, businesses, and nonprofits before New York State government on myriad issues, from procurement to campaign finance. Before entering the lobbying field, she was a legislative aide to New York Assemblywoman Helene E. Weinstein, chair of the influential Ways and Means Committee. She is a graduate of SUNY Potsdam and Albany Law School.
Learn more about Amy, the Harter Secrest & Emery firm, and NASL’s firm for the State of New York
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Bio for Brent Ludeman coming soon.
Learn more about Ludeman Public Affairs and NASL’s firm for the State of Washington
Learn More
Bio for Andrea Mansfield coming soon.
Learn more about Manis Canning & Associates and NASL’s firm for the State of Maryland
Learn More
Bio for Ted Mullenix coming soon.
Learn more about Mullenix & Associates and NASL’s firm for the State of Arkansas
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Dan Riley is an attorney and lobbyist with Norman Hanson DeTroy, where he chairs the firm’s government relations practice. He has over 25 years of experience representing clients from various industries, trade associations, candidates, and political action committees, with an emphasis on the energy sector. He previously served as chair of the government affairs practice group of Lex Mundi and has been counsel to the Maine Republican Party and two Republican presidential campaigns. He is a graduate of Siena College and the University of Maine School of Law and is a former U.S. Navy deep sea diving officer.
Learn more about Dan, the Norman, Hanson & DeTroy firm, and NASL’s firm for the State of Maine
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Scott Scanland has been a professional lobbyist for 35 regular and 16 special sessions in the New Mexico State Legislature. A former elected official, he began his work at the State Capitol as a citizen lobbyist in 1986 on behalf of his community and founded New Mexico Government Affairs in 1996. Throughout his career, he has represented clients on diverse issues, including health care, gaming, taxes, technology, alcohol, finance, fireworks, insurance, education, energy, capital outlay appropriations, tobacco, and local government and budget matters. In 2019, his firm formed an exclusive partnership with Zia Strategies.
Learn More
Bio for David Smith coming soon.
Learn more about Princeton Public Affairs Group and NASL’s firm for the State of New Jersey
Learn More
Bio for Ted Thompson coming soon.
Learn more about Thompson & Associates, LLC and NASL’s firm for the State of Mississippi
Learn More
Bio for Fred Thompsn II coming soon.
Learn more about Thompson Government Relations and NASL’s firm for the State of Tennessee
Learn More
Benjamin Whipple is a partner with Third Reading Consulting Group, Inc., a law firm specializing in lobbying and representing clients before the Illinois government. He has previously worked at law firms, as a federal law clerk for the then-Chief United States District Court Judge for the Southern District of Alabama, and as a multi-state governmental affairs professional for a publicly traded company. He earned his bachelor’s from the University of Michigan and his law degree from the University of Notre Dame, where he graduated cum laude.
Learn more about Ben, Third Reading Consulting Group, and NASL’s firm for the State of Illinois
Standing Committees
Articles of Incorporations By-Laws
Chair - Amy Kellogg
Amy Kellogg is the group leader for Harter Secrest & Emery LLP’s government affairs practice. As a partner, she is also responsible for overseeing the firm’s Albany office. She represents professional associations, businesses, and nonprofits before New York State government on myriad issues, from procurement to campaign finance. Before entering the lobbying field, she was a legislative aide to New York Assemblywoman Helene E. Weinstein, chair of the influential Ways and Means Committee. She is a graduate of SUNY Potsdam and Albany Law School.
Learn more about Amy, the Harter Secrest & Emery firm, and NASL’s firm for the State of New York
Professional Education
Chair - Dan Riley
Dan Riley is an attorney and lobbyist with Norman Hanson DeTroy, where he chairs the firm’s government relations practice. He has over 25 years of experience representing clients from various industries, trade associations, candidates, and political action committees, with an emphasis on the energy sector. He previously served as chair of the government affairs practice group of Lex Mundi and has been counsel to the Maine Republican Party and two Republican presidential campaigns. He is a graduate of Siena College and the University of Maine School of Law and is a former U.S. Navy deep sea diving officer.
Learn more about Dan, the Norman, Hanson & DeTroy firm, and NASL’s firm for the State of Maine
Vice Chair - Ryan DeGraffenreid
Ryan deGraffenried, III is proud to build on his family’s more than 140-year legacy of public service in Alabama politics. He and the deGraffenried & Company team specialize in legislative lobbying; executive branch and regulatory advocacy; strategic planning; grassroots campaigns; public opinion research; polling; and media relations. A graduate of the University of Alabama School of Law, including for his LLM, he previously served as an Alabama Supreme Court law clerk and attorney for Watson, deGraffenried, Hardin & Tyra.
Learn more about Ryan, the deGraffenried & Company firm, and NASL’s firm for the State of Alabama
Nominating
Chair - Trish Hart
Trish Hart is the principal of Arizona Lobbying, a premier lobbying firm offering comprehensive government relations solutions. She has represented clients’ interests at the Arizona Legislature and before state regulatory agencies, counties, and municipalities for nearly three decades. She specializes in grassroots organizing, crisis communications, and government and media relations. She holds a bachelor’s from Southern Utah University and a master’s in public administration from Webster University.
Learn more about Trish, Arizona Lobbying, and NASL’s firm for the State of Arizona
Long-Range Planning & Lobbying Profession
Chair - Tim Ward
Timothy Ward is the president of Michigan Legislative Consultants (MLC), the state’s oldest lobbying firm. Before joining MLC, he worked for Michigan Governor John Engler, including as the director of external affairs, deputy director of public affairs, and re-election campaign manager. During his career, he has held staff positions in the Michigan House and Senate, in Oakland County government, and was the senior director of government affairs for the Michigan Credit Union League. He is a graduate of Albion College and Detroit College of Law.
Vice Chair - William Mueller
William Mueller is the co-founder and senior partner of Mueller Robak LLC. Since he began lobbying in 1984, he has combined his strong legal and political background to represent clients on a broad range of legislative and government relations matters. President of the Nebraska State Bar Association, a fellow of the Nebraska State Bar Foundation, and patron fellow of the American Bar Foundation, he is widely recognized in the legal field for his success, including being selected for Lifetime Membership in America’s Top 100 Attorneys. He is a graduate of the University of Nebraska College of Law.
Learn more about William, the Mueller Robak firm, and NASL’s firm for the State of Nebraska
Annual Meeting Program/Planning
Chair - Jodi Hart
Jodi Hart has been a partner with RRJ Consulting in Utah for more than two decades. She is widely known as one of the state’s most effective lobbyists, focusing on telecommunications, utility regulation, health care, ethics, consumer electronics, finance, local government, and higher education. An expert on Utah’s ethical standards and training, she often serves as a guest lecturer to schools, colleges, universities, and professional groups, including at her alma mater, Southern Utah University.
Learn more about Jodi, RRJ Consulting, and NASL’s firm for the State of Utah
Vice Chair - Sunnie Harmon
Sunnie Harmon is the founder and co-owner of LobbySC, one of the state’s leading pro-business government relations firms with a broad range of clients, including corporations, trade associations, and manufacturers. A former “Economic Development Lobbyist of the Year,” she specializes in tax policy, incentives, and credits; business, workforce, and labor issues; appropriations and procurement; and more. She previously served as a Congressional staff member and is a graduate of Clemson University.
Public Relations, Website & Member Announcement
Chair - Ted Mullenix
A successful entrepreneur, Ted Mullenix was elected to the Arkansas House of Representatives in 1983. He served sixteen years in the Arkansas State Legislature, winning every election in which he ran.
During his tenure, he developed a deep understanding of the legislative process, including the state budget, and fostered lasting relationships across the three branches of the government.
When term limits became effective in 1999, Ted and his partner, Julie, founded Mullenix & Associates. Now the firm’s CEO, he is known as a top lobbyist and one of the state’s most influential leaders.
Learn more about Ted, the Mullenix & Associates firm, and NASL’s firm for the State of Arkansas
Vice Chair - Bruce Coppa
Bruce Coppa is the president of Capitol Consultants of Hawaii, a leading strategic government affairs and business solutions firm. As chief of staff to Governor Neil Abercrombie, he oversaw the state government’s daily operations and was the liaison for its agency heads. He previously served as the comptroller of Hawaii, executive director of Pacific Resource Partners, vice president of operations, marketing, and planning for E.E. Black, Ltd., and COO of Communications Pacific.