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Biography

As a seasoned government relations professional with a track record of success, Deb advises associations, businesses, and government organizations on public policy matters and actions. Debโ€™s extensive knowledge about the legislative and administrative processes plays a key role in her ability to establish and maintain bipartisan relationships to help clients solve problems, meet their organizational needs, and navigate the political landscape. She provides direct lobbying services before legislative and executive branches and offers day-to-day insights into the processes at all levels of government.

Having served as policy director and chief of staff to a statewide officeholder, and as legislative aide in the Ohio Senate, Deb has significant, relevant experience in working with the legislative and administrative processes in Ohio and in Washington, D.C. She spearheaded the development and passage of multiple pieces of groundbreaking legislation over her years of service, including ย leading relations with the National Association of Attorneys General (NAAG) on multi-state litigation, state policy positions on federal initiatives, presentation of testimony before Congress, and conference planning.ย ย She coordinated policy participation in the multi-state tobacco settlement agreement and the NAAG Pharmaceutical Pricing Task Force. As the leading voice for financial contributions for a large nonprofit, Deb helped secure millions of dollars in private and government agency support for capital improvements and operational programs.

Deb provides consulting services for clients and does not act as a lawyer for or provide legal advice to clients. ย 

Deb's Relevant Experience

Legislative Work

Deb now utilizes her vast government experience to benefit her clientsโ€™ interests in public policy and regulatory matters. On behalf of firm clients, Deb has led efforts on a wide variety of public policy issues, including:

Successful coordination of a coalition of brand and generic pharmaceutical manufacturers to update state pharmacy laws and provide patient access to less expensive biologic and biosimilar medications.

Providing benefits to local government or altered the course of legislation impacting municipalities on topics such as state funding, local law enforcement, home rule, and economic development. Successfully negotiated legislative increases in local government funding, preferred use of federal CARES Act funds, and managed multiple local tax proposals.

Updating Ohioโ€™s newborn screening laws to provide screening more quickly for recognized serious, rare diseases.

Removing tax liability provisions from the state budget regarding products managed by qualified distribution centers that would have cost several clients tens of millions in new taxes had they remained in the bill.

Drafting and advocating for legislation and related administrative rules to legalize hemp cultivation and the sale of hemp products in Ohio.

Negotiating payment of millions of dollars in back payments due to the spirituous liquor industry in Ohio with JobsOhio and the Ohio Department of Commerce.

Reopening administrative rules passed by the State Pharmacy Board to address burdensome requirements on individual medical practices and rewrote those rules to provide client relief.

Successfully gaining the addition of the Franklin County Convention Facilities Authority, the owner of Nationwide Arena in Columbus, to the list of publicly owned sports facilities in Ohio that receive a permanent property tax abatement for those facilities.

Other Info About Deb

Experience

Legal Work Highlights

Senior Advisor to the president & CEO for the Center of Science and Industry (COSI).

  • Led all public policy and funding efforts for COSI, including meeting with local delegations, testifying before legislative bodies, and formulating strategies for COSI led initiatives.
  • Directed COSIโ€™s 50th anniversary celebration, including all marketing and communications, multiple fundraising events, community and civic leader engagement, and special exhibit development and openings.

Former policy director and chief of staff to a statewide elected official.

  • Led efforts to draft or rewrite numerous pieces of legislation on criminal justice reform, telemarketing fraud, performance auditing, establishment of the stateโ€™s DNA database, and other consumer protection and charitable law changes.

Served as a legislative aide in the Ohio Senate prior to her state agency work.

Education

Graduate School

University of Toledo, M.P.A

Undergraduate School

University of Dayton, B.A., Criminal Justice

Recognition

Local & National Recognition

Named one of top three female Public Sector Lobbyists (Opinion Strategies, Inc. survey)

Professional Affiliations

Professional Affiliations & Memberships

Columbus Metropolitan Club, Chair and Board of Trustees

Ohio Lobbying Association, Member

Ohio Women in Government, Member

Capitol Area Republican Women, Member