Professionals
Our firm was founded in 2007 and grew through a merger with a firm founded in 1980 to become the largest ‘stand-alone’ lobbying firm in Pennsylvania by 2023.
Experience and insider knowledge matters. Our professionals worked in significant and influential roles across Pennsylvania State Government and the United States Congress, including:
Two Senate Republican Staff Administrators
Retired State Representative and State Senator
Retired Cabinet Secretary
Former Congressional Chief of Staff to A-List Committee
Former Healthcare and Trade Association Executives
Several former Committee Executive Directors
Former Mayoral Special Assistant and Authority Board member
Former State Party Executive Director
Former State Senate Leadership staffers
Mike Long
It is indisputable that no other non-elected Pennsylvanian has done more to shape the modern Pennsylvania political landscape than Mike Long.
For 25 years, Mike served as the Chief of Staff/Staff Administrator to the Pennsylvania State Senate, which is the only staff position enumerated in Pennsylvania statute.
Named to the “City & State PA Power 100” list of the 100 most powerful people in Pennsylvania, Mike’s counsel is in demand.
As a founding partner of the firm, Mike has played a role in nearly every consequential policy decision of Pennsylvania State Government in the past 35 years.
Mike earned a BA in Political Science from Millersville University and a MS in Public Administration from Shippensburg University.
He enjoys collecting baseball memorabilia and reading non-fiction books. He is married to Amy with four adult children and three grandchildren. He lives in Lebanon County.
Partner
Todd Nyquist
As a top advisor to the Senate Pro Tempore, Todd Nyquist was instrumental in shaping the generational Republican majority of the Pennsylvania State Senate.
As a founding partner, Todd built the firm into one of the largest public affairs firms in Pennsylvania state politics.
For the past 20 years, Todd has played a meaningful role in nearly every major public policy initiative in the Commonwealth. He has built strong relationships and is trusted by many of the top decision-makers in Harrisburg.
Todd has a BS in Finance from Clarion University, where he played basketball.
Todd’s achievements in sports fuel the competitive nature he brings to leading this firm. He measures his success by how often he delivers wins for his clients. And by all accounts, Todd has been very successful and so have his clients.
Todd and his wife Noel have three children and two grandchildren. He lives in Cumberland County.
Partner
Richard J. Allan
Rick Allan served as Pennsylvania’s Secretary of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. His considerable experience with the private sector along with his broad knowledge of the environment enabled him to direct a state agency with a staff of 2,300 employees and an annual budget of $300 million.
He has developed and maintained close relationships with members of the Pennsylvania General Assembly, legislative leadership, and state agencies. Rick has developed experience in various sectors, ranging from petroleum, paper/forestry, education, landlord/tenant, engineering, coal, utilities, alternative energy and was instrumental in developing the Pennsylvania Recycling Law.
Rick graduated from Wilkes College with a bachelor’s degree in environmental sciences & biology. Rick and his wife reside in Camp Hill.
Associate
Michael Barley
As Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Republican Party, Mike was instrumental in the resurgence of the Republican Party across Pennsylvania in the early 2010’s having played a critical role in electing the largest number of Republican Congressman, state legislators and a Governor in a three-year period.
Mike has delivered tens of millions of dollars in funding for our client's worthy projects.
With a BA in English from Millersville University, Mike enjoys reading by the lake when not spending time with his three children or rooting for the Philadelphia Eagles.
Mike splits his time between Pennsylvania and Georgia.
Associate
Joann Bell
Philadelphia Government Office
Joann has established a distinguished record of achievement in her professional life. She is an expert in communication, management, and public affairs.
Joann was the first appointed Executive Director of the Governor’s Advisory Commission on African American Affairs in 1992 under then Governor Robert P. Casey. Ms. Bell coordinated the activities of a twenty-five-member commission and served as an important liaison between the Governor’s office and the African American community in Pennsylvania.
Ms. Bell also served the City of Philadelphia as the Director of the Mayor’s Office of Affirmative Action and as a Special Assistant to former Mayor W. Wilson Goode. She is a former Special Projects Manager for Philadelphia Industrial Development Corporation. In 2008 Joann was appointed to the Philadelphia Department of Human Services Oversight Board by former Mayor Michael Nutter, and in 2012 she was appointed by Governor Tom Corbett to serve on the Board of the Delaware River Port Authority.
Lou Biacchi
Lou Biacchi has maintained his solid reputation as a well-respected and constant presence in the Capitol for over three decades.
In addition to spending more than 25 years in government relations and executive management for the Pennsylvania Builders Association, Lou also worked for the Pennsylvania Retailers Association. Lou also works with a wide range of our varied corporate clients leveraging his expertise in building construction, management, service and development.
Before launching his lobbying career, Lou began as a political activist while attending college. He graduated from Gannon University with a BA in Political Science and soon transferred to Harrisburg where he served in several leadership staff roles within the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.
Associate
Scott Bishop
Scott’s time as a Government Staffer and Lobbyist spans five governors and 12 sessions of the Pennsylvania General Assembly.
Most recently, Scott was a Senior Vice President for the Hospital and Health System Association of Pennsylvania (HAP) where he was Chief Lobbyist for Pennsylvania’s hospital community.
For nearly two decades, Scott’s primary focus has been working to shape Pennsylvania’s state budget. He did so by securing millions of dollars in all forms of state funding for hospitals, colleges and universities, arts and cultural institutions, and community service organizations. Throughout his career, Scott has also worked closely with the state’s most significant construction, manufacturing, small business, health care, insurance, tourism, and not-for-profit voices on a wide array of legislative priorities.
Scott holds a Master’s degree from the University of Pittsburgh and earned his BA from Dickinson College. He lives in Lancaster with his wife and two daughters where you’ll usually find him on the pool deck cheering his girls on, in the yard keeping the lawn a perfect three inches high, or on the road hitting the pavement for a morning run.
Associate
Haley Zwally
After managing the successful campaign of State Senator Camera Bartolotta and working campaign communications for Congressman Tom Marino, Haley joined the firm ready to tackle State Government.
Haley is a certified grant writer, in addition to having deep experience in traditional fundraising.
She is a graduate of Central Michigan University, where as a field hockey player she won her conference championship. Haley proudly displays her MAC Championship ring on her desk.
Haley enjoys spending time at the Jersey shore and playing with her puppy Leo. She lives in Dauphin County with her husband, Andrew.
Associate
Bill Bova
With over thirty years of experience in Pennsylvania public affairs, the more complicated the project the more fun it is for Bill.
As a lobbyist, he represents clients from a wide range of sectors including development, energy, education, health and commerce.
Statewide, Bill is recognized for his landmark production projects with the Pennsylvania Cable Network that included long-form interviews with political and industrial leaders, the PCN Tours Series, Farm Show coverage and PIAA sports.
In his community, Bill’s public service experience includes serving as an elected school board member and township supervisor.
Associate
Melissa Carroll
Melissa has 30 years of administrative management, bookkeeping, conference and meeting planning experience. Equipped with outstanding organizational and management skills, Melissa keeps the company’s workflow streamlined. With a vast amount of industry exposure performing different complex management roles for renowned businesses, she has a proven record of success as a calculated, skilled, and goal-oriented team leader.
Melissa is a graduate of the Academy of Medical Arts and Business, earning a Certificate in Paralegal Studies. Her interests are spending time with family, crafting and watching Notre Dame football.
Administration
Athan Koutsiouroumbas
Managing Director, Greater Philadelphia
As former Congressional Chief of Staff and Director of Economic Development in the United States Senate, Athan has a unique blend of legislative, political, and public funding know-how.
His specialty is working with highly regulated industries like cannabis, energy generation, and utilities, including public funding.
Athan is a nationally published columnist for Real Clear Politics. He is a frequent commentator on outlets across Pennsylvania and the nation. He edits the Pennsylvania Pulse newsletter and is an avid Tweeter: @Athan_K.
Athan earned a BAH and BA from Villanova University. He is a 4-for-4 Philadelphia sports fan.
He lives with his wife and two sons in Bucks County.
Lisa Leo
Lisa is a graphic artist supporting our client’s communications needs both inside and outside of the Capitol.
Trained at Harrisburg Area Community College, Lisa started her career in the Pennsylvania State Senate Communications Office which she then grew into a private practice as a small business owner.
When not transforming the complex into simple through her design work, Lisa enjoys hiking and biking throughout Central Pennsylvania and volunteering in her community.
Lisa is the proud mom of her two adult children. She lives in Cumberland County.
Graphics Designer
Amy Long
After two and half decades working for the Pennsylvania State House and Senate, Amy wanted to put her knowledge to work outside of the Capitol.
After years of no movement on the full practice authority legislation for the Pennsylvania Coalition of Nurse Practitioners, Amy helped moved the legislation out of the Senate for the first time.
Married to Mike Long, they share four adult children and three grandchildren. Amy enjoys gardening, reading and travelling. She lives in Lebanon County.
Associate
Casey Long
Spending nearly a decade and a half in the Pennsylvania State Senate, Casey worked in multiple senior staff roles, including Executive Director for the Senate Labor & Industry Committee and Communications Director and Director of Policy & Legislative Affairs for the State Senate President Pro Tempore.
Active politically, he is the former Chair of the Lebanon County Republican Party.
Casey has a BA in Political Science from Lebanon Valley College, where he played baseball.
Outside work, Casey enjoys spending time with his son and daughter while tactfully encouraging them to become Yankees fans. Casey lives in Lebanon County.
Associate
Megan Milford
Megan is an expert in business-related public policy and researches, analyzes and monitors public policy issues and legislative activity. In addition, her understanding of the legislative and regulatory processes allows her to provide clients with up-to-date information on state government activity pertinent to their concerns.
She served six years as Vice President of the Pennsylvania Business Roundtable. In that capacity she was responsible for managing the organization’s Environmental, Health Care and Economic Development Subcommittees as well as researching and developing business-related public policy positions. Megan also was the Regulatory Specialist for the Pennsylvania Builders Association, Regulatory Affairs Coordinator for Waste Management of North America, Inc., and, began her career with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Resources.
Megan is a graduate of Penn State University with a BS in biology. She has previously served on the Board of the YMCA Youth and Government. Her interests include boating, travel, and college football.
Administration
Noel Nyquist
Noel began her legislative career as a liaison for the Pennsylvania Senate Pro Tempore. Quickly, her responsibility grew to serving as the Executive Director of the powerful Senate Banking & Insurance Committee.
Today, Noel manages Business Operations at the firm. She has a BS in Public Administration from Shippensburg University.
She and her husband Todd share 3 children, Joseph, Sam & Elle, 2 grandchildren, Emma & Nicholas and two dogs, Russell & Chester.
Noel shamelessly enjoys Hallmark movies and running. She lives in Cumberland County.
Associate
Tim Nyquist
Working as a Chief of Staff, Director of Policy and Communications, and District Director for leadership members of the Pennsylvania State Senate, Tim has legislative experience unmatched.
Tim earned a BA in Elementary Education from Clarion University.
On weekends, Tim and his wife Lindsey can be found traveling athletic fields with their children.
Tim and Lindsay also enjoy training at the local fitness facility in the mornings and are active throughout the Warren community, where they live.
Associate
Rocco Pugliese
Prior to merging with Long Nyquist and Associates, Rocco founded the firm of Pugliese Associates in 1980 working from a small office in Harrisburg with a single client.
Rocco has more than 40 years of lobbying and state government experience. Starting his working years in the mid-70’s employed in the State Senate; he was later hired as an aide to the House Transportation Committee. In his years of lobbying, Rocco has been active on a number of highly visible, diverse and complex issues. They include such topics as gaming, corporate initiatives and ventures, appropriations, tobacco settlement, economic development, workers’ compensation, state procurement, along with a variety of other policy and legislative issues.
Rocco graduated from Gannon University in 1975 with a BA in Political Science, and he also holds a Masters degree in Public Administration from Penn State University.
John Rafferty
John Rafferty serves in an Of Counsel capacity after serving four terms as the Pennsylvania State Senator.
He is a two-term member and Vice Chair of the Disciplinary Board of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania. John served as the Chairman of the Senate Transportation Committee, Vice Chairman of the Judiciary Committee, and member of the Appropriations, Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure and Law and Justice Committees.
John was the prime sponsor of Act 89 – The Comprehensive State Transportation Legislation and also the prime sponsor of the Comprehensive Updates to Pennsylvania DUI Legislation. As Chairman of the Transportation Committee, Senator Rafferty conducted numerous business and confirmation hearings and was able to successfully enact bipartisan legislation.
He earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown in 1975, a master’s degree from Beaver College in 1984 and a law degree from Temple University (J.D. 1988). He is a member of the Montgomery Bar Association.
Of Counsel
Tommy Sankey
After a decade as a Pennsylvania State legislator, Tommy is recognized as one of the most thoughtful policymakers in state government.
Tommy sat on the Consumer Affairs, Subcommittee on Public Utilities, Environmental Resources & Energy Subcommittee on Mining, Finance, and Rules committees. He was appointed as Deputy Chairman of House Majority Policy Committee and Deputy Whip.
He earned a strong reputation for navigating complex issues pertaining to energy, utilities and other highly regulated industries.
He earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting from St. Francis University. After college, he worked as an accountant before returning to the family manufacturing business.
Associate
Tiffany Underkoffler
Tiffany began her legislative career as an Executive Assistant for a former Pennsylvania State Senator where she was instrumental in overseeing administrative, communication, and scheduling functions. Tiffany has brought that experience along with her many years of excellent organization, financial management, meeting/event planning, and human resource skills.
In addition to her administrative/management functions, Tiffany meticulously oversees client accounts receivable/payable and the organizations’ financial infrastructure. Wearing many hats, she also manages personnel, executes communication, and organizes fundraisers/events with the excellence and efficiency she is known for.
Tiffany attended Pennsylvania College of Technology where she studied Criminal Justice and lives in Mechanicsburg with her 3 young children and fiancé. She enjoys spending time with her family and cheering on the Dallas Cowboys.
Office Manager
In the mid-2000’s, Ben saw the political future of Southwestern Pennsylvania.
Working various campaigns, including those of Pro Tempore Kim Ward, Rick Santorum, and the Pennsylvania Republican Party, few operatives have played a larger role in re-shaping the political landscape of Pennsylvania.
After managing his successful campaign, Ben served as Chief of Staff to State Senator Pat Stefano, where he worked on economic development, transportation and liquor issues.
Outside of politics, Ben is a noted thespian and vocalist in theater productions throughout Western Pennsylvania.
Ben has a BA in History from Gannon University. He lives in Westmoreland County with his partner Billy.
Associate