FOUNDER
BRUCE P. MEHLMAN
With over two decades experience in public policy, business and the law, Bruce helps leaders and organizations understand, anticipate and navigate political risk.
Mehlman is a highly sought-after keynote speaker on policy and political trends, regularly headlining business conferences and strategic planning sessions. His quarterly infographic analyses are consistently picked-up by national media and eagerly consumed by tens of thousands of readers around the world. Television networks such as CNBC, Fox News, Fox Business and Hearst often ask Bruce to appear to discuss trends and their implications.
Bruce previously served as Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Technology Policy under President George W. Bush. He also worked as a senior leadership aide in the House of Representatives, general counsel to a national political party committee and policy counsel to Cisco Systems.
Bruce is widely-regarded as an expert in running coalitions, quarterbacking issue campaigns and managing C-suite associations, bringing innovative approaches and determined execution to achieve impactful outcomes. An Adjunct Professor and Board Member of The Washington Campus, Bruce frequently lectures MBA candidates on “effective business-government relations.” Bruce serves on the advisory boards of start-up companies including FiscalNote, iLearningEngines and Virtru, in addition to serving on the Boards of the Center for Democracy & Technology, The Washington Campus and the State Science & Technology Institute.
Bruce received a BA degree from Princeton University and a JD from the University of Virginia Law School where he served on the Virginia Law Review.
CO-FOUNDER
DAVID CASTAGNETTI
David Castagnetti is a legislative and political strategist with a history of delivering for clients. A trusted Democratic advisor who understands how to talk to business, he has played a critical role in shaping many significant policy issues of the past two decades.
Recognized as one of Washington’s top lobbyists by BusinessWeek, Washingtonian magazine, The Hill and Congressional Quarterly, Castagnetti’s policy expertise and political chops are well known. His forte is translating complex policies into straightforward issues, then navigating the political, legislative and regulatory challenges that dictate outcomes. His working style is as renowned as his expertise. A strong believer in “what-you-see-is-what-you-get” client service, he has instilled that same approach at Mehlman Castagnetti Rosen & Thomas, where all principals roll up their sleeves to get results. This combination of skill and working style has made Castagnetti a trusted advisor to Members of Congress, Fortune 100 CEOs and executives across Washington’s business community.
Castagnetti’s career has put him at the highest levels of politics, business and government. Before helping to found Mehlman Castagnetti, he served John Kerry as the top liaison to Congress for the Democratic nominee’s presidential campaign. He earned plaudits from House and Senate Members for his briefings on campaign strategy and messaging, deft handling of political requests, and sensitive management of surrogates and speaking roles at the Democratic National Convention.
As a partner at Bergner, Bockorny, Castagnetti & Hawkins, he worked with technology leaders and innovative startups across Silicon Valley to develop and implement effective strategies to drive exports and maintain America’s lead in information technology. He also provided expert regulatory and political guidance for mergers and acquisitions, including the Delta Air Lines and North¬west Airlines merger, Hewlett-Packard’s merger with Compaq, NewsCorp’s merger with DirecTV, and Travelers Insurance in its well-regarded partnership with St. Paul Insurance Company.
On Capitol Hill, Castagnetti earned a reputation for integrity and collaboration. As Chief of Staff to Sen. Max Baucus (D-MT), he advised the Senator on trade, tax, transportation, technology and matters before the Finance and Environment and Public Works committees. He also served as Chief of Staff to Rep. Norman Y. Mineta (D-CA) when the Congressman was Chairman of the House Transportation Committee. A decade later, Castagnetti led a successful effort to win confirmation for Rep. Mineta as Secretary of Commerce for President Clinton and Secretary of Transporta¬tion for President George W. Bush. Castagnetti is also one of the few people to serve in senior positions for Members on both the Senate Finance Committee and House Commerce Committee, as he began his career in the office of Rep. Ed Markey (D-MA).
PARTNER
DEAN A. ROSEN
A partner at Mehlman Castagnetti Rosen & Thomas, Dean Rosen is one of Washington’s foremost experts on America’s complex health care system—and a master of both the politics and policies that shape it. With more than two decades of experience developing and advancing health policy initiatives on Capitol Hill and in the private sector, Rosen has been named a “Top Lobbyist” by The Hill, a “ Power Player” that healthcare groups turn to by Modern Healthcare, and one of the “DC Healthcare Power Players Who Shape the Rules for a $3.5 trillion industry” by Business Insider.
Rosen advises a wide range of health care stakeholders, from established players to startups trying to gain a foothold in Washington, DC. He has represented health systems and hospitals, medical colleges and physician specialty organizations, health insurers, clinical laboratories, biopharmaceutical companies, nonprofit foundations, and multinational employers. He helps clients shape national policy and navigate the transformational changes taking place in the nation’s health care system.
Prior to joining Mehlman Castagnetti, Rosen held a series of high-level positions in both the private sector and government, including on key committees in both the Senate and House. As the Chief Healthcare Advisor to former Sen. Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-TN), a leading voice on national medical and health issues, Rosen helped draft and navigate to final passage landmark legislation creating a Medicare prescription drug benefit. Rosen also helped pass laws in the wake of the September 11 and bioterrorism attacks in 2001 to ensure that local, state and national public health systems had new authorities and resources to respond to future threats.
Earlier, Rosen served as Staff Director for the Senate Subcommittee on Public Health, Majority Counsel for the House Ways and Means Health Subcommittee and Health Policy Coordinator for the Senate Committee on Labor and Human Resources (now the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee). While at Ways and Means, he played a leading role in crafting the Medicare provisions of the Balanced Budget Act of 1997. At Labor, he was the lead Senate staffer in drafting the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA).
Rosen’s policy, legal and management experience expands beyond Capitol Hill. He served as Senior Vice President of Policy and General Counsel for the Health Insurance Association of America (HIAA), and practiced law at Dow, Lohnes and Albert- son in Washington, DC.
PARTNER
DAVID THOMAS
David Thomas is a top Democratic strategist with over two decades of experience in Washington’s public policy arena. He has a deep understanding of the legislative and executive branches of the federal government. For over a decade, Thomas has helped companies, trade associations and nonprofits develop and exe¬cute successful strategies in Washington. During his tenure in government, Thomas served as Deputy Director of Legislative Affairs for Vice President Al Gore, the top lobbyist at the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and Chief of Staff for Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-CA).
As Chief of Staff to Rep. Lofgren, who represents San Jose and Silicon Valley, Thomas developed and oversaw all legislative, political and communications initiatives. He frequently met and strategized with constituents in the high-tech community on a variety of issues, including cybersecurity, immigration, tax and trade policy, intellec¬tual property and innovation.
During his tenure with the Congresswoman, she was elected chair of the California Democratic Congressional Delegation, which consists of all of the Democratic Members of the House of Representatives from California.
Prior to his time working for Rep. Lofgren, Thomas was the Director of Congressional Relations at the FTC. There, he advised the FTC Chairman and Commissioners on legislative strategy and promoted all FTC policy initiatives on Capitol Hill. Among them: online privacy issues, the principles of corporate merger reviews, Hart–Scott–Rodino reform, consumer protection and gasoline pricing investigations. He also proved his mettle by shepherding the FTC’s budget request through the annual appropriations process.
During the Clinton Administration, Thomas served as a Senior Liaison between Vice President Gore and the U.S. Congress. Working from the Vice President’s Office of Legislative Affairs, he advanced White House policy proposals on Capitol Hill and helped create a long-term strategy for the Vice President’s interactions with Members of the Senate and the House. His management skills were tried and proven true as he traveled with Vice President Gore throughout the United States and organized the involvement of Members of Congress on all domestic trips.
PARTNER
ELISE PICKERING
Bringing 16 years of in-the-trenches work experience with senior leaders in Congress, industry and political campaigns, Elise Finley Pickering is widely recognized as one of the most effective Republican strategists and well-respected policy advocates in Washington.
Pickering is a multi-tasker. She served as Executive Director for the House Republican Policy Committee while also tackling the high-performance duties of Chief of Staff to Arizona Rep. John Shadegg. Pickering oversaw a staff of 22, helping run the Congressman’s office and staffing his work on the Energy and Commerce Committee. Earlier responsibilities included supervising his staff on the Select Committee on Homeland Security and the Financial Services Committee.
In 2004, Pickering took a “time-out” from the Hill to serve as the Congressional Liaison and Legislative Director for the 2004 Bush–Cheney reelection campaign. She was the lead interface during the campaign with Republican Members of the House and Senate and their staffs, working closely with Members on politics and policy.
Pickering’s Hill career began in 1990. During the Democratically controlled Congress, she worked as Legislative Assistant for then-Rep. William E. Dannemeyer (R-CA), and as the Legislative Director for Rep. Roscoe G. Bartlett (R-MD).
Pickering also previously spent two years in the private sector, working as Manager of Federal Affairs for the Southern Company, a Fortune 100 energy company based in Atlanta.
PARTNER
SAGE EASTMAN
Sage Eastman is a senior Republican strategist with more than two decades of policy, political and government experience. Steeped in political campaigns and policy debates, Eastman is a sought-after advisor to a diverse group of businesses (from Fortune 50 companies to startups), trade associations, Members of Congress and their staff.
While Eastman is often utilized for his tax and health care expertise, his close relationships with Congressional leaders and wide respect from both sides of the aisle and on both sides of Capitol Hill make him a go-to for clients looking to affect a broad range of issues. With deep insights into Committee and Leadership thinking, Eastman has helped clients secure key victories amidst bicameral negotiations and provided guidance necessary to sustain lengthy legislative campaigns.
Before joining Mehlman Castagnetti Rosen & Thomas, Eastman spearheaded several tax, health and trade efforts on the Hill— leading to the successful enactment of some of the largest reform efforts in Washington, DC, including three longed-stalled trade agreements, the tri-committee rewrite of the Sustainable Growth Rate (the so-called “doc fix”) and permanent extension of critical tax policy.
During his six years as a senior counselor to the Ways and Means Committee—serving variously as Senior Advisor, Deputy Staff Director and Director of Strategy—Roll Call named Eastman on multiple occasions to its “Fabulous 50” list, the Capitol Hill newspaper’s annual list of top Congressional staff.
Earlier in his career, Eastman was Communications Director and Senior Strategist to Rep. Dave Camp (R-MI). He joined Rep. Camp’s staff after nearly a decade in Michigan politics, where he first worked for then-Gov. John Engler, spearheaded the state GOP’s communications and research efforts, and served in the executive office of the Michigan Attorney General.
PARTNER
LAUREN ARONSON
Lauren Aronson is a health policy expert with an insider’s understanding of how to navigate the political landscape to get things done in Washington. She joined Mehlman Castagnetti Rosen & Thomas in 2015 after serving in senior positions in both the Executive branch and Congress. Her expertise in the intricacies of health policy, combined with her many years in the trenches of policymaking on Capitol Hill and in the Obama Administration, enables her to provide clients with broad perspective. Aronson is uniquely equipped to help health clients achieve policy and political objectives.
Aronson also serves as the Executive Director of the Campaign for Sustainable Drug Pricing (CSRxP). CSRxP is a broad-based coalition of leaders – physicians, nurses, hospitals, consumers, health plans, PBMs, pharmacists, and businesses – promoting bipartisan, market-based solutions to lower drug prices in America.
Prior to joining the firm, Aronson spent three years at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), where she directed the Office of Legislation and led the Agency’s interactions with Capitol Hill. Before joining CMS, Aronson served as a Professional Staff Member for the House Ways and Means Committee, working on Medicare Advantage and Medicare Part D payment policies.
Aronson served in the White House under President Obama as the Policy Director in the Office of Health Reform. She was a key member of the Administration’s team working to enact the Affordable Care Act, President Obama’s signature health care law.
Earlier in her career, Aronson was Health Policy Advisor to then-Rep. Rahm Emanuel (D-IL), a member of the House Democratic Leadership and Ways and Means Committee. She also worked as a Policy Analyst with Christopher Jennings at Jennings Policy Strategies.
PARTNER
MIKE ROBINSON
Mike Robinson is a seasoned legislative strategist with deep knowledge of politics, politics and process, sharpened over a 20-year career in Washington. He earned his stripes on Capitol Hill, where he is well known by Members of Congress on both sides of the aisle for his ability to build bridges, navigate choppy political waters and get the job done.
As a Partner of Mehlman Castagnetti Rosen & Thomas, Robinson provides strategic counsel to clients on a broad range of legislative issues. With a deep bench of relationships both on and off Capitol Hill, he has the toolbox and know-how to get results for clients.
Prior to joining Mehlman Castagnetti, Robinson served as the first-ever Director of Coalitions and Member Services on the senior staff of the House Appropriations Committee, where he spearheaded outreach to Members of Congress, House Leadership, and third-party groups. Working side-by-side with House leadership, Committee members and rank-and-file members, he played an integral role in negotiating and shepherding must-pass funding bills through the legislative process.
Over his career, Robinson also has developed close relationships with various industry and association groups, often serving as an expert speaker on Congressional outlook, appropriations and legislative affairs.
Robinson honed his skills in several senior positions with the House, including service as Deputy Chief of Staff and Policy Advisor for the Office of the Majority Leader, Legislative Director to former Chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, Rep. Hal Rogers (R-KY), and as a senior legislative aide to members of the Appropriations and the Transportation and Infrastructure committees. He began his tenure on Capitol Hill serving on the staff of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.
Earlier, Robinson was the Director of Legislative Affairs for the American Trucking Associations, the nation’s largest trucking association. Keyed into the economic environment and political landscape, he directed successful strategies—including grassroots and coalition development—that secured legislative wins for the association.
PRINCIPAL
DEAN HINGSON
Dean Hingson is an attorney and Capitol Hill veteran with nearly a decade of experience serving high profile Republican Senators. In his time on Capitol Hill, he has notched policy and political wins by working with colleagues in both the House and Senate and across the political aisle.
As Chief of Staff to Senator Dan Coats (R-IN), Dean served as the Senator’s lead legislative and political advisor. He built a D.C. and state operation from scratch, managing 50 Senate staff across five offices. In addition, he led a weekly meeting convening the Senate Republican Chiefs and Staff Directors. Dean also served as the head of Senator Coats’ campaign and leadership PAC operations.
Dean also previously served as General Counsel to Senator Elizabeth Dole (R-NC) and Legislative Director to Senator Judd Gregg.
For Mehlman Castagnetti’s clients, Dean continues to advocate on a wide range of issues, including anti-trust, telecommunications, defense, appropriations, health, and technology. Using his background and previous experience, Dean brings significant insight and firepower to efforts on behalf of clients.
Prior to coming to Washington, D.C., Dean was a private practice litigator in Wilmington, North Carolina. Dean grew up in Smithfield, North Carolina. He graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a B.A. in Economics (Go Heels!) and holds a J.D. from the Campbell University School of Law in Raleigh, North Carolin
PRINCIPAL
STEVE HARO
With nearly two decades of government service and political campaign experience, Steve Haro understands the process of getting things done. His policy work both in Congress and in the Executive branch has spanned countless issues, challenges and disciplines. Recognized by Hispanic Business magazine in its Top 100 Most Influential Hispanics list, his unique, broad background provides clients with a holistic view of government, policy and politics that few can match.
Prior to joining Mehlman, Castagnetti, Rosen & Thomas, Haro served as Chief of Staff to Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), where he ran the largest member office in Congress by personnel and budget. He served as the principal political and policy adviser to the four-term senator, who is number five in Senate seniority, the ranking member of the Judiciary Committee, the most senior member and former chair of the Intelligence Committee, and a senior member of the Appropriations Committee.
In 2015, Haro was nominated by President Barack Obama and confirmed unanimously by the Senate as Assistant Secretary for legislative and intergovernmental affairs at the Department of Commerce, one of only 24 Senate-confirmed leadership positions in the 47,000-employee, $10-billion cabinet agency. In this role, he counseled Commerce Secretary Penny Pritzker on legislative matters; provided insight to the secretary on congressional relations; and was the principal liaison for members of Congress, governors and mayors to the secretary and the department.
Previously, Haro served as Chief of Staff to Sen. Martin Heinrich (D–NM), first in the House and then in Senate. As the principal strategic policy and political adviser, he oversaw the tactical and budgetary day-to-day operations of the legislator’s congressional and political offices, including his 2010 re-election to the House and his 2012 Senate campaign.
In 2008, Haro worked for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee as its western regional political director and national Hispanic outreach director. He provided political, financial and communications counsel to 27 targeted congressional campaigns in the 13 western states and advised congressional campaigns across the country on the best methods and strategy to turn out the Latino vote.
Earlier in his career, Haro was the senior adviser to Rep. Xavier Becerra (D-CA), who was then assistant to the speaker of the House. As a member of the House leadership staff, Haro counseled the Congressman on major policy issues, including health care, immigration, trade, economics and the federal budget.
In 2004, Haro was the Colorado communications director and chief spokesperson for Sen. John Kerry’s presidential campaign. From 2000–01, he was the public affairs manager for the Los Angeles office of the international public relations firm, The MWW Group.
PRINCIPAL
HELEN TOLAR
Helen Tolar is an attorney and Republican strategist with nearly two decades of experience in key roles on both sides of the Capitol dome and beyond the Beltway. As Principal with Mehlman Castagnetti Rosen & Thomas, Tolar puts to work her extensive network of relationships on Capitol Hill and around Washington to achieve results for clients.
Prior to joining Mehlman Castagnetti, Tolar served in high-level positions on the Hill and in the private sector, including key roles in the Senate and House. As Chief of Staff to Sen. John Boozman (R-AR), a former health care provider and senior member of the Appropriations, Agriculture, Veterans’ Affairs, and Environment and Public Works Committees, she managed Boozman’s staff across eight offices and coordinated with a political team during the senator’s historic re-election bid, while working with external partners across business and government to advance Boozman’s priorities. During her time with the senator, she headed “RAMS,” a 60-year-old membership organization of Republican Senate and House chiefs of staff.
Tolar also served as Staff Director and Chief Counsel for the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, a role in which she reached across the political aisle and worked with key stakeholder organizations. She played a leading role in crafting six bills that ultimately became laws aimed at enhancing veterans’ access to quality health care, education and employment opportunities, and at modernizing the VA benefits process. Her efforts led National Journal to name her one of “Fourteen Powerful Women on the Hill” in its quadrennial “Hill People” profile of key congressional staffers.
Tolar’s policy experience ranges beyond Capitol Hill and the Beltway. She served as the Director of Public Policy for South Carolina’s largest trade association. In addition, she was a government affairs consultant to BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina prior to and following enactment of the Affordable Care Act. Before joining Mehlman Castagnetti, she was a Principal in the federal government affairs office of an AmLaw 100 firm, representing corporate, trade association and higher education clients.
Earlier in her career, Tolar served as health policy counsel at the Senate VA Committee and in various roles including as Legislative Director for then-Rep. Jeff Miller (R-FL), where her efforts on behalf of the military and veteran communities drew recognition by multiple advocacy organizations. She began her Capitol Hill career as a law clerk at the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee under subcommittee chair and then-Vice Chair of the House Republican Conference, the late Rep. Tillie Fowler (R-FL).
PRINCIPAL
NICHOLE DISTEFANO
Nichole Distefano is an attorney and policy professional with over 12 years of legislative and political expertise, serving both on Capitol Hill and in the Administration. A Democratic strategist with a diverse background and policy expertise, Nichole has a deep understanding of the legislative and executive branches that few can match. She’s a known pragmatist with a reputation for working through tough issues and achieving results.
Prior to joining Mehlman Castagnetti, Nichole served as legislative director for United States Senator Claire McCaskill, where she supervised a policy team of highly qualified policy staff and served as the Senator’s strategic policy advisor during a highly polarized election cycle.
This was Nichole’s second opportunity to work with the office of Senator McCaskill. From January 2007 until June of 2013, she served as Senator McCaskill’s legislative counsel on a wide range of issues, including energy and environment, agriculture, government oversight and accountability, and domestic security matters.
Prior to returning to the United States Senate, Nichole spent over three years as a political appointee in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Office of Congressional and Intergovernmental Relations, serving as the Deputy Associate Administrator for the Office of Congressional Relations and then as the Associate Administrator for the Office of Congressional and Intergovernmental Relations. She managed EPA’s interactions with Congress and the White House and served as Administrator Gina McCarthy’s strategic and political advisor on congressional and state matters, including: leading cabinet-level Senate confirmations, serving as one of the agency’s lead negotiators in the passage of the Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act, helping in the agency’s efforts to launch the Clean Water Rule, the Clean Power Plan, National Ambient Air Quality Standards for Ozone, and other policy matters. She also served as a strategic advisor in several high-profile oversight matters, including the discovery of lead contamination in Flint, Michigan’s drinking water, and supervised dozens of experienced career professionals in their interactions with congress and state and local governments.
Throughout her time in the United States Senate and in the Obama Administration, Nichole was known as a fair but tough negotiator who was willing to work across the political spectrum to advance policy priorities throughout the legislative process.
Before leaving her home state of Missouri for the halls of the United States Senate, Nichole was the rural outreach director for Senator McCaskill’s 2006 Senate campaign and worked as an attorney in Kansas City, Missouri.
PRINCIPAL
McKENZIE BENNETT
McKenzie Bennett joined Mehlman Castagnetti Rosen & Thomas in 2019 after serving in a number of influential health policy positions on Capitol Hill.
Most recently, McKenzie was the Senior Health Policy Advisor for Senator Maggie Hassan (D-NH), a member of both the Senate Committee on Finance and the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP). Prior to working for Hassan, McKenzie was a Health Policy Advisor to former Democratic Leader Harry Reid (D-NV), spearheading his work on public health and women’s health, as well as coordinating the caucus strategy on such issues.
While working with Senator Hassan, McKenzie led the development, planning and coordination of Hassan’s work on health care. Among her accomplishments was securing increased funding for New Hampshire, one of the states hardest hit by the opioid crisis, to help combat the crisis. McKenzie also worked on numerous bills to increase public health and provider tools to help patients addicted to opioids, including legislation to increase access to medication-assisted treatment and to improve care coordination.
McKenzie also led Hassan’s work to address surprise medical bills, drafting legislation to protect patients from such bills and to resolve payment disputes between plans and providers. She has worked across the aisle and with several key stakeholders on this initiative.
During her time with Leader Reid, McKenzie worked on a number of high-profile health care priorities, including helping to negotiate the passage of the $1.1 billion supplemental appropriations legislation to address the Zika virus in 2016. She also represented the Democratic Leader during several negotiations on health care issues. McKenzie has extensive experience with the Senate budget process, including as part of a key group of Leadership and Committee staffers arguing before the Senate Parliamentarian during the budget reconciliation process related to the Affordable Care Act in 2015. She was also involved in the passage of the 21st Century Cures Act, the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act, and several other pieces of legislation.
McKenzie began her career on the Hill with Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH), where she conducted research on health care issues, and then moved to the office of Senator Jim Webb (D-VA).
PRINCIPAL
PAUL THORNELL
Paul Thornell brings over 20 years of experience serving in leadership roles in the financial services sector, non-profit organizations, trade associations, the White House, Capitol Hill and Presidential campaigns. His work in policy, politics, regulatory, and advocacy arenas has provided him with a distinct variety of perspectives and shows a record of demonstrated results in government, corporate and philanthropic sectors.
Prior to joining Mehlman Castagnetti Rosen & Thomas, Thornell served for over 12 years in the Washington office of Citigroup, the leading global bank doing business in 160 countries and jurisdictions around the world. There, he helped lead the company’s engagement with policy makers through the financial crisis, enactment and implementation of landmark financial reform laws, and various legislative and regulatory developments. In this role, he represented Citigroup’s interests before Congress and the Administration, focusing on a range of policy and regulatory issues related to capital markets, regulatory reform, corporate governance, consumer lending and housing. Working with various trade associations in these duties, Thornell was appointed Chairman of the American Banker Association’s (ABA) Legislative Liaison Advocacy Council.
In the non-profit sector, Thornell served as Senior Vice President of Public Policy and Field Leadership at United Way of America (now United Way Worldwide), the nation’s largest charity. In this role, Thornell developed and advocated on behalf of United Way’s public policy agenda before Congress and the Administration; led the organization’s relationship management work with the nearly 1,400 local United Ways; and oversaw United Way of America’s work in Disaster Preparedness and Response. He also served on the Board of Directors of the United Way of the National Capital Area for 7 years; the board of DC Habitat For humanity for 10 years; and the Board of Generations United for 11 years. Thornell has previous experience working in the multi-client world as Managing Director for Public Affairs in Hill and Knowlton’s Washington office managing a variety of clients, for whom he provided strategic counsel, directed government relations and developed strategies on media relations and third party engagement.
In government, Thornell served at the White House as Deputy Director of Legislative Affairs for Vice President Al Gore where he was a senior liaison for Vice President Gore with Members of Congress, promoting the Clinton/Gore Administration’s policy policies and directing the Vice President’s activities and communication with U.S. Senators and U.S. Representatives. He worked in the U.S. Senate on the Leadership staff of former Senate Democratic Leader Tom Daschle (D-SD) as the Leadership’s chief liaison to education, children’s, social service, civil rights, religious organizations, governors and mayors. He also worked in the state office of former U.S. Senator Harris Wofford (D-PA).
In addition to his formal professional roles, Thornell has served as an informal advisor to Senate and House Democratic leaders and committee chairs in the effort to increase diversity among senior level staff on Capitol Hill. Frequently speaking before top Senate and House staff, convening discussion sessions on the topic with corporate executives and other thought leaders, and consulting with Senators and House Members, Thornell has demonstrated his commitment to creating a more diverse Capitol Hill. Thornell has also volunteered on Presidential, Senate and House campaigns in Pennsylvania, Missouri, Colorado and Massachusetts.
POLICY ANALYST
ANNALIESE YUKAWA
Annaliese Yukawa is a Policy Analyst at Mehlman Castagnetti Rosen & Thomas. In her role, she monitors Congressional activity, conducts research, and analyzes legislation and proposed regulations.
Previously, Yukawa worked with the firm serving as the Technology CEO Council’s Eben Tisdale Fellow. During the fellowship, she attended Congressional hearings, created memos for stakeholders and researched workforce retraining programs for professionals affected by automation.
The unique environment of Silicon Valley, where she was raised, fostered her interest in the intersection between technology and public policy. During college, she worked at several startups and interned at the think tank TechFreedom, publishing weekly articles and recruiting guests for the organization’s podcast. She also founded and chaired Westmont College’s American Enterprise Institute (AEI) Executive Council.
LEGISLATIVE ASSISTANT
JAKE BRENNAN
As a Legislative Assistant at Mehlman Castagnetti Rosen & Thomas, Brennan provides support to the firm’s lobbyists and partners. He coordinates client meetings, as well as fly-ins and other firm events, while monitoring legislation on a diverse range of issues.
Prior to joining Mehlman Castagnetti, Brennan held a variety of internships, first as a legislative intern for Rep. Joe Kennedy (D-MA), where he focused on technology and privacy policy. He later worked as a geopolitical solutions intern with Qorvis, a political public relations firm, where he focused on political communications strategy for foreign governmental clients.
Brennan graduated from Tulane University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in political economy and international relations. While at Tulane he was an editor for the school’s newspaper, The Hullabaloo.
LEGISLATIVE ASSISTANT
ALISSA STECHSCHULTE
Alissa Stechschulte is a Legislative Assistant at Mehlman Castagnetti Rosen & Thomas. In this role, she provides support to several of the firm’s Republican lobbyists. She coordinates and schedules client meetings, and aides in executing fly-ins and other firm events.
Prior to her time at Mehlman Castagnetti, Alissa worked in various other positions in the non-profit sector and on Capitol Hill. Most recently, Alissa served as a Staff Assistant for Congressman Alex Mooney (R-WV) and a Scheduler for Congressman Glenn ‘GT’ Thompson (R-PA). She also served as an Operations Specialist for two Ohio-based political communications firms: Front Porch Strategies and The Strategy Group Company (TSGCo). During the 2018 mid-term election cycle, Alissa was promoted to assist the companies full time as a Senior Operations Specialist.
Alissa graduated from Gettysburg College with a B.A. in Political Science. While in school, Alissa completed a handful of paid internships in the journalism field.
LEGISLATIVE ASSISTANT
ELIZABETH HALE
As a Legislative Assistant at Mehlman Castagnetti Rosen & Thomas, Elizabeth Hale supports the firm’s Democratic team and works with clients to execute their strategic long- and short-term goals in Washington. She handles daily scheduling operations, preparing background materials on legislative priorities, managing coalitions, and organizing panels, travel and fly-ins. She also handles Democratic fundraising and special events.
Prior to joining Mehlman Castagnetti, Elizabeth completed a variety of internships, including local political campaigns and a year-long fellowship with the City of Memphis Weatherization Assistance Program. She also served as an intern for U.S. Senator Doug Jones’s (D-AL) Birmingham, AL office, where she assisted staff on a variety of legislative issues and planned State-level events, and in Senator Jones’s D.C. office, where she focused primarily on Health Policy.
Elizabeth graduated from Rhodes College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and Urban Studies with a concentration in Urban and Community Health. While at Rhodes, she enjoyed serving as senator on Rhodes Student Government and as a volunteer for Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Mid-South. She is currently earning a Master of Public Administration degree with a concentration in Health Policy at American University’s School of Public Affairs. She serves as the President of SPA’s Graduate Student Council.
