State Government Relations

Jim brings considerable experience to his role with Michael Best Strategies. Prior to joining Strategies, he served as President and founder of Wisconsin-based Bender Consulting LLC.  Jim was a policy consultant, lobbyist, and public relations advisor to his clients on a range of issues, with an emphasis on education reform. He was instrumental in developing and advocating for many of the laws and policies that currently guide Wisconsin’s education reform programs across state statute ...

Josh is a Policy Advisor with Michael Best Strategies. He conducts research, assists with communications related to key legislative, political, and regulatory issues, and performs daily operations to serve Michael Best Strategies’ clients.Josh brings several years of political experience to his role. Before joining Strategies, he worked as Campaign Manager for Representative Jenny Willford of the Colorado General Assembly. Josh led all campaign operations including fundrais ...

Dan leads Michael Best Strategies’ bipartisan government relations, public affairs, and lobbying work throughout North Carolina. A former Lieutenant Governor of North Carolina, he also provides clients with strategic advice and counsel, tapping into his extensive experience and knowledge of North Carolina public policy and politics. During Dan’s eight-year tenure as Lieutenant Governor, he served as President of the North Carolina Senate, as Chairman of the Energy Policy Council, an ...

With 22 years of service in the Wisconsin State Legislature and a deep background in government relations, Mickey has the knowledge and skill to support clients in a wide range of policy and regulatory matters.

Pat is a Senior Advisor with Michael Best Strategies’ Government Relations team. Before joining Strategies, Pat formed Goss Ryan Consulting in 2021 after serving as Executive Director of the Wisconsin Transportation Builders Association from 2007 to 2021.  He served as executive vice president of the Wisconsin Asphalt Pavement Association (WAPA) from 2003 to 2007. He was the deputy secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Transportation prior to joining WAPA and worked for Govern ...

With 12 years as an elected State Representative of the 84th District in the Wisconsin State Assembly, Michael has the expertise to support environmental, agricultural, and energy-related initiatives. Michael leverages his significant experience as a subject matter expert in the energy and utilities industry to advocate for pro-business policies and strategic, economic opportunities. 

As a Senior Policy Advisor for Michael Best Strategies, Jon assists the team with strategic communications and provides support on government relations and legislative matters.Prior to joining Strategies, Jon served as a Strategic Account Executive at start-up sales and marketing platform JumpCrew where he helped clients achieve their objectives by identifying key influencers and stakeholders, establishing new relationships with target connections, and nurturing existing partnerships to boost revenue ...

Lauren is a Policy Analyst with Michael Best Strategies. She conducts research, assists with communications related to key legislative, political, and regulatory issues, and supports daily operations to serve Michael Best Strategies’ clients. Prior to joining Strategies, Lauren gained valuable experience as an Intern with the Wisconsin Republican Assembly Campaign Committee (RACC) and with the Republican Party of Wisconsin. In her role with RACC, she organized and assisted with fundr ...

Anna Scott is a Principal on Michael Best Strategies’ Government Relations team. Based in Raleigh, Anna Scott leverages her experience in North Carolina politics and fundraising to help clients achieve their objectives. Before joining the Strategies team, Anna Scott ran a successful fundraising and consulting firm in North Carolina, serving individual politicians and candidates as well as associations, committees, 501(c)(4)s, 501(c)(3)s, PACs, and other groups. In just two election cy ...

Bill is a Partner with Michael Best Strategies. His combined decades of experience in the Wisconsin Governor’s office, as cabinet secretary, and as a successful lobbyist enable him to be an effective advisor and advocate for clients.

David focuses on government relations and public policy strategies designed to help clients overcome individual business challenges and implement legislative or regulatory change. His experience in helping to run Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner’s gubernatorial campaign has given him great insight into the political and legislative process.

Charles is a Policy Advisor with Michael Best Strategies who draws on his extensive experience engaging with local, state, and national stakeholders to help clients accomplish their strategic government relations and public policy goals. Leveraging his skills in research, strategic communications, and legislative and regulatory policy, Charles provides clients with the information and insights they need to thrive in a dynamic environment. A proud U.S. Army veteran who served on active duty for six years as a combat medic, Charles is adept at working on challenging issues and applying the values he learned in the military to be a trusted adviser and force-multiplier for clients.

In his role as partner in Michael Best Strategies’ Washington, D.C. office, Tom utilizes his expertise in legislative and executive processes to advance client interests through development and implementation of political, legislative, and public affairs strategies.

Jay is a respected lobbyist and former business executive whose imprint can be found throughout many industries such as energy, education, manufacturing, construction, technology, employment, and insurance, including workers’ compensation and unemployment insurance, and across a wide range of statutes and regulations considered by the Illinois General Assembly and Illinois state government.

As a Senior Policy Advisor for Michael Best Strategies, Kassandra assists the team with strategic communications and provides support on government relations and legislative matters.Prior to joining Michael Best Strategies, Kassandra served as a Legislative Liaison for the Illinois Department of Human Services where she represented the agency in the state legislative process. Kassandra reviewed bills and policy proposals, developed and implemented legislative strategies to help achieve the agency...

As a Principal at Michael Best Strategies, Wes helps clients protect and advance their business interests through political and legislative advocacy. He has considerable experience in lobbying, strategy, research, and coalition building, and he helps clients build strong relationships with policy makers and stakeholders. 

Sabrina is a Policy Advisor with Michael Best Strategies. She assists the team with research, communications, and daily operations, and provides general client support. 

Trevon focuses on government relations, legislative advocacy, and strategic communications to help clients implement legislative change and advance their business objectives. Prior to joining Michael Best Strategies, Trevon served as the Senate Liaison in the Office of Illinois Governor JB Pritzker. In this role, he oversaw the legislative agendas of ten state agencies and managed a legislative portfolio that included issues related to early childhood education, K-12 education, college affordab ...

Brian is a Principal with Michael Best Strategies who provides clients with strategic guidance on a variety of public policy, government relations, regulatory, and legislative matters to help advance their business interests.

Elizabeth is a Policy Analyst with Michael Best Strategies. She conducts research, assists with communications related to key legislative, political, and regulatory issues, and supports daily operations to serve Michael Best Strategies’ clients.Prior to joining Strategies, Elizabeth worked at Reynolds American Inc. as a Global Graduate Management Trainee, Legal and External Affairs. Within this role, she researched and established policy stances in all 50 states through quantitative ...