Bipartisan Team

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 former 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