Who's Who
The 2026 CSPA Government Relations honorees
Meet the professionals who connect lawmakers, organizations and communities.
From left to right: Michael Barley, Erin Dwyer Harvard & Jonathan Young Pace-O-Matic; Theresa Regan Photography; Camden County Democratic Committee
Across the commonwealth and in the halls of the state Capitol, a busy array of lobbyists, advocates and political strategists form the connective tissue between lawmakers and the organizations that power communities. The government relations professionals on City & State’s 2026 list work largely behind the scenes – but their efforts are critical to funding and facilitating sectors as diverse as healthcare, energy and culture.
Bane, John
As chief of government affairs for EQT Corporation, John Bane is not only a major player in the commonwealth’s energy landscape but also the sector itself. He recently supported key policy wins for Pennsylvania’s natural gas industry, including progress on permitting reform to facilitate critical infrastructure projects. Currently, he is aiding initiatives to streamline midstream development across multiple states, advancing policies that enable carbon storage and supporting measures to expand natural gas generation, strengthen grid reliability and reduce emissions.
Barley, Michael
Former state GOP chief Mike Barley rarely slows down – as the chief public affairs officer for Pace-O-Matic, he currently leads a team of 80 lobbyists and consultants in nearly a dozen states, spearheading the legislative effort to regulate Pennsylvania’s skill games industry. Additionally, he serves as a partner at COS Strategies, a Harrisburg-based government affairs firm, and Right Way Strategies, a political consulting firm.
Bennett, Stephen
Stephen Bennett is the senior manager for regulatory and legislative affairs at PJM Interconnection, a century-old, Valley Forge-based electricity company whose power grid now encompasses 13 states and Washington, D.C. and provides power to nearly 70 million customers. Bennett’s role is particularly critical as PJM navigates a rapidly evolving utilities landscape where surging electricity demand has strained the system. A veteran of Exelon and other energy outfits, he holds a civil engineering degree from the University of Maryland.
Borne, Sheilah
For over 20 years, Sheilah Borne has represented Penn State Health and PSU’s College of Medicine before governments at the local, state and federal levels. This month, the former state government employee returns to public service herself, beginning her second term as Mayor of Paxtang Borough, Dauphin County (her first term ended in 2022). Her commitment to Central Pennsylvania’s civic infrastructure earned her the 2025 Athena Leadership Award from the Harrisburg Regional Chamber, where she is a past board chair.
Boruchowitz, Charles
Campaign veteran Charles Boruchowitz now manages government relations for Bentley Systems, a Chester County-based global infrastructure engineering software company. His work focuses on advancing Bentley‘s digital solutions for designing and maintaining infrastructure assets nationally and abroad. Previously, Boruchowitz served as a fundraiser and campaign manager for U.S. Rep. Chrissy Houlahan; he currently chairs the Government Affairs Committee at the Chester County Chamber of Commerce, where he also serves as secretary of the board of directors.
Brennan, Beth
Second-generation Harrisburg lobbyist Beth Brennan is a senior principal at Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies, where her clients range from nonprofits and educational institutions to professional associations and corporations. A Capital Region native, she studied political science at Lebanon Valley College and honed her skills in roles at Wojdak and the Kinser Group; she also served on the Harrisburg lobbying team for the City of Philadelphia, and maintains strong ties to city government. In addition, she has been active with the Pennsylvania Association for Government Relations.
Brier, Patrick J.
Patrick Brier brings deep knowledge of healthcare law to his practice at Myers Brier Kelly, where he serves as counsel and specializes in state health policy. Among his clients are one of America’s largest Medicaid managed care organizations, and he is frequently called on by clients – including political candidates and parties – to help navigate Pennsylvania election law. A fixture on the Pennsylvania Super Lawyers list, he also spearheaded the firm’s pro bono Immigration and Naturalization Clinic.
Butler, Hank
Lobbyist Hank Butler has been a familiar face on Capitol Hill for over a decade. In addition to his eponymous consultancy, he currently leads advocacy for the Pennsylvania Jewish Coalition – for whom he has successfully advanced security grants, anti-BDS measures and Holocaust education in schools – and the Pennsylvania Council of General Contractors, where his efforts have yielded numerous reforms bolstering the industry. He has also taught management at York College of Pennsylvania, his MBA alma mater.
Buzydlowski, Frank
Frank Buzydlowski brings extensive state-level lobbying experience to his role as government affairs specialist with Aqua Pennsylvania, a division of Essential Utilities. Most recently, he has championed state measures around sales of municipal water and wastewater systems to private utilities and addressing diseases in the water supply. He joined Aqua after a 20-year career in legislative affairs at Verizon, where he most recently directed Pennsylvania government relations.
Calcara, Peter N.
For a quarter-century, Peter Calcara has led government relations for the Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants, advancing the profession’s legislative and regulatory priorities. His leadership has yielded significant reforms to CPA licensure, tax administration and regulatory matters across the commonwealth – including 2025’s first-in-the-nation licensing modernization law and a 2024 tax simplification measure that eliminates double taxation. He is a member of the Pennsylvania Association for Government Relations and the American Society of Association Executives.
Chen, Samuel
As the founder and director of The Liddell Group, Samuel Chen guides clients’ strategy on matters ranging from AI’s legal and ethical boundaries to First Amendment defense. He also hosts the television news journal “Face the Issues,” teaches politics at the college level, is active with the American Enterprise Institute and has authored two books about American democracy. He previously worked for then- Sen. Pat Toomey and then-U.S. Rep. Charlie Dent, as well as on campaigns for several former governors.
Chintaman, Steven
Attorney and seasoned advocate Steven Chintaman currently leads government affairs for the Pennsylvania Apartment Association, leading policy strategy and statewide partnerships to advance housing priorities. He also volunteers as an attorney with HIAS Pennsylvania. Previously, he was a senior associate at Bellevue Strategies and honed his policy and regulatory skills working for the Philadelphia City Council. He graduated from La Salle University and earned his law degree from Rutgers University.
Chortanoff, Arielle
At the state Capitol, Arielle Chortanoff leads commonwealth advocacy for the Hospital & Healthsystem Association of Pennsylvania, the organization representing major health facilities statewide. Most recently, she has touted measures aimed at modernizing healthcare delivery, staving off the impact of federal Medicaid cuts on the state’s financially challenged hospitals and bolstering Pennsylvania’s healthcare workforce, which faces shortages exacerbated by an aging population.
Her advocacy is informed by a decade of working in the insurance industry, including representing Pennsylvania Blues plans in Harrisburg.
Clements, Jane
In December 2025, policy veteran Jane Clements co-founded Capitol67 Strategies, among the youngest consultancies in this lineup, where, as managing partner, she leads the firm’s Harrisburg practice. A former CEO of Feeding Pennsylvania and vice president of state government affairs for a statewide strategic firm, she brings insights and relationships honed over more than a decade working with state and federal lawmakers to her role at the new firm, whose footprint has rapidly expanded across Pennsylvania and Washington, D.C.
Coccia, Allison
As director of government relations for WellSpan Health, Allison Coccia advances state-level policy around patient care and community health. Among the highlights of her long career in politics and government relations are helping secure the historic reduction of Pennsylvania’s corporate net income tax in 2022 and more than doubling the size of ChamberPAC, the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business & Industry’s political action committee, in just two years. She previously worked for the PA Association of Community Bankers and U.S. House Majority Leader Eric Cantor.
Conti, Joe
After a career of public service, Joe Conti is marking his first decade leading the Pennsylvania Association of Broadcasters. In the role, he has expanded the organization’s industry advocacy in both Pennsylvania and Washington, D.C. and cultivated effective outreach and social media strategies. A former chief of the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board, he is active with the National Alliance of State Broadcast Associations and the National Association of Broadcasters.
Cozzo, Stephen
At AmeriHealth Caritas, Stephen Cozzo champions measures that support the Philadelphia-based health company’s expanding services. He oversees government relations, external affairs and public policy for one of America’s largest Medicaid managed care providers; most recently, he has focused his efforts on facilitating the company’s East Coast expansion and its growing pharmacy benefits and behavioral health divisions. A graduate of Penn State, he previously worked with at-risk youth at the First Judicial District of Philadelphia.
Crampsie, Sean
Championing the commonwealth’s public higher-education institutions, Sean Crampsie is the longtime director of government relations for the Association of Pennsylvania State College & University Faculties, the union representing faculty and employees of 14 state-owned campuses. His expertise is informed not only by his previous role with the PA School Boards Association, but also by his own government stint, as a Carlisle Borough Councilmember from 2015 to 2023. At APSCUF, he lobbies for state funding for public higher education, tuition affordability and the protection of workers’ rights.
DeVanney, Mike
Mike DeVanney is a founding partner at Pittsburgh-based ColdSpark, a political, public affairs and strategic consultancy. The Penn State graduate has provided expert counsel to candidates, associations, nonprofits and Fortune 500 companies, while his marketing campaigns have won numerous awards. His political experience includes directing the Republican Committee of Allegheny County and managing a gubernatorial campaign.
Errickson, Kaitlin
As the longtime government affairs manager for the PA Municipal League, Kaitlin Errickson advocates on behalf of the commonwealth’s 2,500-plus municipalities. Most recently, she has helped local governments balance the explosion of data centers with municipal control and zoning authority; she has also championed efforts to modernize local tax systems, with revenue streams that reflect contemporary economies and sustain public services. The Pennsylvania native and Georgetown University graduate is a member of the PA Association for Government Relations.
Ficara, Christian
Christian Ficara serves as vice president for government affairs at Cresco Labs, where he is known for driving major cannabis reforms. He played a central role in creating Pennsylvania’s adult-use cannabis framework and helped secure bipartisan sponsorship for multiple bills in both the state House and Senate, including a measure establishing an independent regulatory authority to modernize the medical cannabis program. Considered one of the most effective voices in the regulated cannabis sector, he builds trusted relationships with lawmakers, regulators, veterans’ groups, labor and social-equity partners.
Fitzsimmons, Kyle
Kyle Fitzsimmons brings a quarter-century of experience in state government to his role heading public affairs at GSL Public Strategies Group in Harrisburg. Fitzsimmons has helped expand tax credit programs, establish the state’s e-scooter pilot program and secure critical funding for public infrastructure and economic development projects. The Northeast Pennsylvania native began his career working in the state Senate.
Geeting, Jon
Proving that the hyper-local can be hyper-effective, Jon Geeting serves as policy and advocacy director for Build Philly Now, a policy organization devoted to improving the Philadelphia region. Geeting has a long record of grassroots advocacy in his hometown: He co-founded the Open Streets PHL campaign, a successful decade-old effort to pedestrianize key city streets, and has also directed engagement for Philadelphia 3.0, a political organization dedicated to increasing local civic involvement.
Grutza, Ron
For two decades, Ron Grutza has been a leading advocate for Pennsylvania’s nearly 1,000 borough governments, championing initiatives ranging from infrastructure investment and public safety improvements to blight remediation. As senior director for government affairs at the Pennsylvania State Association of Boroughs, he spearheaded the comprehensive 2012 modernization of Pennsylvania’s Borough Code; more recently, he successfully advocated for a measure raising compensation caps for borough officials — the first adjustment in decades. He is also a 20-year member of the State Blight Taskforce.
Harvard, Erin Dwyer
As director of public affairs for the General Building Contractors Association, Philadelphia native Erin Dwyer Harvard leads efforts to promote the trades through local school career fairs, online education and other outreach. She also manages the association’s government and community relations, working closely with the administration of Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker to advance policies that increase housing production and expand union construction opportunities. Harvard holds degrees in political science and public policy from Temple University, where she now sits on the alumni board.
Hawkins, John
Deeply embedded in Philadelphia, John Hawkins leads the Philadelphia Strategies Group, a government relations firm known for its relationships in City Hall and around the region. Hawkins previously led city relations at Philadelphia’s Wojdak & Associates. After earning degrees from the University of Pennsylvania, including a master’s of government administration, he worked for the Committee of Seventy and as a legislative aide at City Council and the Pennsylvania Senate.
Kockler, Kim
For the past dozen years, Kim Kockler has led Pennsylvania and New Jersey state legislative advocacy at Independence Blue Cross, where she is now senior vice president of government affairs. She recently represented the company at a national healthcare conference and mentored industry colleagues with the AHIP Executive Leadership program. Having begun her career working in the Pennsylvania legislature, she has since guided government affairs for Blue Cross of Northeastern Pennsylvania and directed the Managed Care Association of Pennsylvania.
Kopko, Kyle
As executive director of the County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania, Kyle Kopko serves as the voice for Pennsylvania’s 67 counties. He is currently working on policy around sustainable funding for 911 and county emergency response centers and identifying strategies to mitigate the effects of future budget impasses. Kopko, an attorney and onetime political science professor and academic dean at Elizabethtown College, previously helmed the Center for Rural Pennsylvania and served as last year’s inaugural chair of the Pennsylvania Rural Population Revitalization Commission.
Koutsiouroumbas, Athan
The man behind one of X’s largest accounts covering Pennsylvania politics is Athan Koutsiouroumbas, a Havertown-bred Villanova graduate and rabid Philadelphia sports fan who serves as managing director for Long Nyquist’s Southeast office. He specializes in highly regulated industries like cannabis, energy and higher education, recently obtaining millions in public financing for Villanova and Cristo Rey High School. A columnist for Real Clear Politics and a frequent commentator on Pennsylvania media outlets, he also created Frankly.app, a platform where constituents share thoughts with policymakers.
Kratz, Nick
Passionate about inclusion and systems change, Nick Kratz galvanizes state advocacy on behalf of Pennsylvania Advocates & Resources for Autism & Intellectual Disabilities, where he leads government relations. In this role, he works to ensure the disability community is heard at every level of government and advances state-level policy solutions that improve access to services. He is also the youth camp director at Highland Park Campmeeting in Sellersville.
Kralle, Dave
Since 2015, Dave Kralle has played a key role in the growth of Essential Utilities, where he currently manages public affairs, including legislative advocacy and the Essential Foundation. Notably, he led communications strategy around Essential Utilities’ planned merger with American Water and oversaw the company’s most-successful-ever United Way campaign; he also advanced measures around utility transactions, lead-line replacement and PFAS treatment funding. He previously served as the CEO’s chief of staff and in roles with the state House of Representatives and Philadelphia City Council.
Lesher, Neal
Championing the commonwealth’s industry is Neal Lesher, who since 2022 has directed government affairs for the PA Chamber of Business and Industry. As the organization’s lead lobbyist on tax issues, he has worked to improve the tax appeals process, modernize Pennsylvania’s treatment of net operating losses and promote a favorable business tax climate. Prior to this role, the Central Pennsylvania native held senior leadership positions with the state House of Representatives and served as legislative director for the Governor’s Budget Office.
Levins, Katherine
As chief advocacy officer for the $3.3 billion Temple University Health System, a leading regional employer and economic catalyst, Katherine Levins works with federal, state and local officials to sustain both high-quality healthcare in Southeastern Pennsylvania and the medical education pipeline that trains the next generation. She recently secured critical government funding to establish the new Temple Hospital for Women and Families, develop a premier behavioral health Crisis Response Center and expand infusion services at Fox Chase Cancer Center.
Lynch, Blake
At One+ Strategies, Blake Lynch advances community priorities in collaboration with stakeholders in education, labor, healthcare and other sectors. Most recently, he has led statewide strategy for Goodwill Keystone, advocated for worker protections alongside the Eastern Atlantic States Carpenters Union and worked to bring the state’s largest military airshow back to his native Central Pennsylvania. He previously served as chief impact officer at WITF Public Media, as spokesperson for the City of Harrisburg and as a Democratic political analyst for commonwealth news outlets.
Marrara, Carl
The commonwealth’s goods producers have a champion in Carl Marrara, who joined the PA Manufacturers’ Association 13 years ago and is currently its executive director, with responsibility for government and external affairs. He scored a recent win by throwing the association’s support behind the successful effort to get Pennsylvania out of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, and has also published major economic impact analyses aimed at crafting strategies to attract major investments in Pennsylvania. He also oversees the association’s affiliated political action committee.
Martin, Megan
At the Commonwealth Foundation, Pennsylvania’s free‑market think tank, COO Megan Martin’s expertise has shaped everything from finance and legal strategy (she also serves as general counsel) to government and public affairs. She draws on a career spanning all three branches of state government, the U.S. Navy and academia, including leadership roles with the PA Chamber of Business and Industry. Most recently, her operational reforms prompted the Central Penn Business Journal to rank Commonwealth Foundation among 2025’s Top 25 Best Places to Work.
Molchany, Erin
Erin Molchany brings experience in all three branches of state government to Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney, where she is a senior government relations advisor and recently advocated to remove a financial aid barrier affecting nontraditional students. She represented Pittsburgh in the state House of Representatives in 2013-14, championing Pennsylvania’s 2014 Transportation Infrastructure bill and the rollout of the Affordable Care Act. She has also held leadership roles with the Pennsylvania Department of Health, the administration of then-Gov. Tom Wolf and Planned Parenthood of Western PA.
Neurohr, John
John Neurohr brings extensive experience in national and state-level policy to Clear Point Communications, where he is a partner and vice president. He has led communications for organizations including America Votes, the Center for American Progress, the Pennsylvania Budget and Policy Center and Keystone Research Center. Most recently, he helped secure historic investments in K-12 public education in partnership with the PA Schools Work campaign, and led successful efforts to expand Pennsylvania’s property tax and rent rebate program on behalf of a statewide advocacy organization.
Perkins, Bret
Over a quarter-century at Comcast, Bret Perkins has cultivated a favorable climate that has helped more than double the Philadelphia-based telecommunications firm’s market presence. As senior vice president for external and government affairs, he leads public strategy for the country’s largest broadband and cable services provider and played a key role in launching Comcast’s internet access program for low-income Americans. His civic commitments include serving as a director of the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia.
Quinnan, Chuck
Chuck Quinnan has led government affairs at LeadingAge PA since 2022, where he is senior vice president. On behalf of 400-plus members and the Pennsylvanians they serve, he has championed state-level legislation to address workforce shortages, educated lawmakers on nursing homes’ need for better Medicaid funding and promoted a measure to support seniors aging at home. A veteran of the administration of then-Gov. Tom Wolf, Quinnan was appointed by Gov. Josh Shapiro in 2024 to the Pennsylvania Long-Term Care Council.
Rayman, Luke
Since 2023, Luke Rayman has championed Pennsylvanians affected by Alzheimer’s and other dementias as an advocacy manager for the Alzheimer’s Association, Greater Pennsylvania Chapter. In this role, he leads grassroots advocacy, collaborates with elected officials and advances policies that bolster healthcare, support services and research funding. In 2025, he led the team recognized by the Alzheimer’s Impact Movement as the Alzheimer’s Congressional Team of the Year, and he secured federal co-sponsorships for several successful legislative packages aimed at improving Alzheimer’s and dementia response.
Reed, Eric
As of last year, Eric Fitzgerald Reed oversees Verizon’s public policy and state government affairs throughout a five-state region stretching from Pennsylvania to Minnesota and Wisconsin. In the role, he leads the company’s outreach to an array of corporate, public-sector and community-based stakeholders and advances a state and local policy agenda. Under his leadership, Verizon – which was provisionally awarded nearly $120 million in state funding for broadband expansion across the commonwealth – is finishing its installation of broadband internet at the City of Philadelphia recreation centers.
Richards, Mark
Lancaster County native Mark Richards brings more than 20 years of experience to Wojdak Government Relations, where he serves as a senior associate. He is known for his results across a range of policy areas, including law enforcement, human services, environmental issues and biotechnology; most recently, he secured state funding for a Pennsylvania university’s new healthcare training facility. His background includes leadership roles with the National Federation of Independent Business, the Pennsylvania Forest Products Association and the Lancaster Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Rindfuss, Olivia
As government affairs chief at Triad Strategies, Olivia Edwards Rindfuss leads legislative, regulatory and advocacy campaigns for clients ranging from Fortune 100 companies to nonprofits and labor unions. Most recently, she secured critical state funding to upgrade Girl Scouts in the Heart of Pennsylvania facilities and spearheaded a bipartisan 2024 campaign to expand first-responder workers’ compensation. She began her career in the U.S. Congress and the Pennsylvania legislature and is a former president of Harrisburg Young Professionals.
Ritson, Rob
UPMC’s government affairs are in the capable hands of Rob Ritson, whose 30 years of public administration experience span county, municipal, and state government. He previously served 17 years as chief of staff to Kim Ward, the current state Senate president pro tempore – a role that thrust him into pivotal roles in the 2021 Pennsylvania legislative redistricting efforts, state budget negotiations and a $200 million COVID-relief program for hospital staff and frontline workers. He also facilitated the allocation and disbursement of over $750 million between 2021 and 2025.
Rooney, T.J.
Few political strategists can claim a client list with as many boldface names as T.J. Rooney, a Harrisburg fixture who has advised candidates like Barack Obama, John Kerry and Hillary Clinton. Rooney himself served seven terms in the Pennsylvania House and has headed both the Pennsylvania Democratic Party and the Pennsylvania Electoral College. He is the founder of two bipartisan consultancies – Rooney Novak Isenhour Group, where he is a senior partner, and Tri State Strategies PA, of which he is president.
Sharp, Andrew
Andrew Sharp leads advocacy and regulatory strategy in Harrisburg, Trenton, and Wilmington for Penn Medicine, which includes the University of Pennsylvania Health System and the Perelman School of Medicine. Drawing on deep industry expertise and strong bipartisan relationships across government, he helps shape policy on issues ranging from healthcare access and hospital regulation to behavioral health. A veteran of Gov. Tom Wolf’s administration, Sharp also served on the transition teams for Attorney General Dave Sunday and Gov. Josh Shapiro.
Shurr, Brittney Baker
Brittney Baker Shurr joined McNees Government Relations in 2024 and has seen her role expand from municipal and county-level government relations to include state lobbying efforts. As government affairs specialist, she leverages bipartisan relationships and deep regional knowledge to anticipate policy trends, resolve complex regulatory challenges and advance community and economic growth. The Berks County native began her career working for then-Gov. Tom Corbett and has directed government affairs and public policy for the Greater Philadelphia Association of Realtors.
Statler, Jennifer
Over a 22-year career, Jennifer Statler has elevated educators’ voices through strategic advocacy on behalf of the Pennsylvania State Education Association. Currently assistant director for government relations, she oversees grassroots initiatives such as a program connecting PSEA members with elected officials; she also works with the National Education Association and Pennsylvania’s congressional delegation to advance public education priorities in Congress. A veteran of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives Republican Caucus, she supports the association’s electoral priorities, mobilizing members in key elections across the state.
Stefan, Michael
A Penn State lobbying fixture since 2017, Michael Stefan currently serves as vice president for government and community relations for the academic powerhouse. He is currently co-leading Penn State’s campus consolidation strategy and working with peer institutions and state lawmakers on a performance-based funding formula, included in the 2025-26 budget. Stefan’s two-decade career includes roles with the state Department of Labor and Industry and the Office of Attorney General, as well as stints with the Pennsylvania AFL-CIO and the PA House Democratic Campaign Committee.
Stevens, Ryan
At Duane Morris Government Strategies’ Harrisburg office, Director of Government Affairs Ryan Stevens leads the firm’s client-focused Pennsylvania lobbying and legislative strategy. In the past year, he has championed measures to bolster the nonprofit sector, secured key legislative amendments and, in early 2025, served on Attorney General Dave Sunday’s transition team. Having begun his political career on the East Stroudsburg School Board – Monroe County’s youngest-ever elected official at the time – he currently serves on the Board of Directors for both the Pennsylvania Association for Government Relations (PAGR) and the State Government Affairs Council (SGAC).
Surra, Andy
Over a decade at Malady & Wooten, Andy Surra has successfully represented an array of clients before state government, with a focus on public transportation, economic development, education and procurement. Recently, he led a collaborative effort against the privatization of the Medical Assistance Transportation Program, which saved public transportation systems millions of dollars annually, and helped secure new state funding for nutrition programs on behalf of the nonprofit Sharing Excess. He previously served as a senior staffer to the Pennsylvania House Democratic leadership.
Walsh, Dennis
Over two decades leading government relations at the Bravo Group, Dennis Walsh has helped advance landmark legislation, including the Earned Income Tax Credit and the Clean Indoor Air Act. Most recently, he helped secure a $50 million increase in state funding for economically disadvantaged schools and additional funding for a nutrition program for SNAP beneficiaries. A veteran of roles with the state Senate and the Governor’s Office, he currently serves as president of the Bravo Foundation.
Ward, Tim
For the past year, Tim Ward has headed government relations for the Pennsylvania Bankers Association, coordinating lobbying and legislative activity in Harrisburg. He is currently leading a collaborative effort to secure legislation that helps banks prevent elder financial exploitation – an issue of particular concern in the aging commonwealth. Previously, the Montgomery County native and Temple University graduate directed government relations for the Pennsylvania Health Care Association, served as chief of staff for a state representative and managed campaigns for state legislature candidates.
Warfel, Mike
Last year, Central Penn Business Journal named Michael Warfel, Highmark’s senior vice president of government affairs, as a 2025 Health Care Heroes recipient, recognizing his contributions to improving the region’s healthcare over 30 years at the now-$20 billion health system. He first joined the company’s government affairs team in 1995 and, in both Harrisburg and Washington, has consistently championed legislation favoring healthcare access and innovation. He has also kept Highmark’s community informed through the weekly Capitol Hill Report, his team’s roundup of health policy news.
Washo, Kevin
At the University of Pittsburgh, Kevin Washo serves as senior vice chancellor for external relations, with responsibilities including government outreach, fundraising, relationships with Pitt’s 350,000+ alumni, community partnerships, and marketing and communications. A Scranton native and Pitt alum, he returned in 2017 as chief of staff to the chancellor. His accomplishments include developing and implementing a comprehensive brand platform that significantly elevated the university’s national reputation and chairing a committee that established Pennsylvania’s State Board of Higher Education.
Wechsler, Aimee
As director of government affairs for the Wright Centers for Community Health and Graduate Medical Education, Aimee Wechsler advances public health policy through strategic partnerships and advocacy for initiatives that strengthen community health centers, promote public health and expand access to care. During her tenure, the Wright Centers earned Gold-Level Advocacy Center recognition from the National Association of Community Health Centers and secured $2.2 million in public funding to expand patient access. Her career includes senior roles with then-Gov. Tom Wolf and then-U.S. Sen. Bob Casey.
Young, Jonathan
Jonathan Young serves as political director for the Eastern Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters, a division of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters, where he is a 30-year member. He has also championed vocational trade education in his decade-long role as a Camden County, New Jersey commissioner and as a member of the Camden County Technical Schools Advisory Committee. The Darby Township native, previously a council representative for the EASRCC, is a longtime advocate for fair wages, labor standards and workforce development.
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