Rocco Pugliese founded the firm of Pugliese Associates in 1980. He not only brings leadership and direction to the firm, but more than 30 years of lobbying and state government experience. In his years of lobbying, Rocco has been active on a number of highly visible, diverse and complex issues. They include such topics as horseracing funding, corporate takeovers, appropriations, stadiums, tobacco settlement, capital budget appropriations, workers compensation, state procurement, and a variety of other policy or legislative issues.

He began working in the mid-70s employed in the State Senate and he was later hired as an aide to the House Transportation Committee. Regarded as intense and having an astute political sense, Rocco brings to the table an immeasurable amount of experience and political understanding. He maintains relationships with key decision makers, earning him a genuine respect with legislators. This wealth of knowledge serves as a definitive asset when applied to the firm's clients. Rocco was recently cited by the Pennsylvania Report, as one of the 100 political movers and shakers in Pennsylvania. In a Patriot-News article, Rocco was cited as, one who gives 100% to his clients.

Rocco graduated from Gannon University in 1975 with a BA in Political Science, and also holds a Masters degree in Public Administration from Penn State University.

Joann Bell

Joann Bell has established a distinguished record of achievement in her professional life, which has accrued to the direct benefit of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and its citizens.

She is a former Special Projects Manager for Philadelphia Industrial Development Corporation. In her role as Special Project Manager, Joann participated in the development of private and public works projects with a collective value of over fifty million dollars. Joann 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. The commission is one of only three such commissions in the United States. 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 . The commission through Ms. Bell's leadership is one of the Commonwealth's most effective advocates for African Americans in areas such as legislation, education, economic development, health, housing, and human services.

Prior to joining the Governor's Office, Ms. Bell was the Director of the Mayor's Office of Affirmative Action in Philadelphia . As the Affirmative Action Officer for the City of Philadelphia, Ms. Bell was responsible for a number of duties including the review of hiring and promotion practices of all city departments, boards, and commissions as well as assisting in the drafting of policy and procedures for adoption and implementation of affirmative action plans.

Ms. Bell also served as a Special Assistant to the Honorable W. Wilson Goode, the former Mayor of the City of Philadelphia.

An active contributor to Pennsylvania's citizenry, Ms. Bell was also appointed by Governor Corbett in March, 2011 to serve on the Delaware River Port Authority.

Mary M. Keenan

Mary Keenan joined Pugliese Associates in September 2006. She brings with her over 25 years of lobbying, public affairs, and political experience in both the public and private sectors.

In the private sector, Mary has been a contract lobbyist for the firm of Greenlee Partners; worked for a government relations & public affairs firm, Tierney Strategic Communications; and lobbied on behalf of major oil companies at the Pennsylvania affiliate of the American Petroleum Institute.

In the public sector, Mary served as the Executive Director of the House Consumer Affairs Committee where she participated in a stakeholder process to deregulate the residential natural gas industry. Prior to that, she served as Executive Director of the House Agriculture Committee.

Mary's in-depth knowledge of the legislative, budgetary, and regulatory maze of state government adds considerable value to the strategic advice she provides her clients. She has been active on a broad array of issues ranging from managing grassroots campaigns on environmental and general business issues, to lobbying for passage of the EZ Pass Toll Collection System, and obtaining a $20 Million Tobacco Venture Investment for a client. Mary also has extensive experience in navigating clients through the general fund and capital budget processes.

Mary received both Bachelors and Masters Degrees from the University of Pennsylvania.

Heather H. Browne

Heather Browne joined Pugliese Associates in February, 2010. She brings with her expertise in government service, government relations, public policy, health and long-term care, business development and political consulting.

Heather most recently served with Presbyterian Senior Living where she worked with government regulators and community leaders in implementing the marketing and enrollment of Lehigh and Northampton County's "Living Independence for the Elderly" program (LIFE). She also served as Director of Public Policy for the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce bringing together area business leaders and public officials to launch the Chamber's public policy department.

In addition to her positions with Presbyterian Senior Living and the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce, Ms. Browne served as the Executive Director of both the Emmaus Chamber of Commerce and the Emmaus Main Street Program. She has also served as a political consultant on many competitive and successful judicial and state legislative campaigns; and several terms as a legislative director for the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.

This experience, coupled with her background in business development, brings to the firm a comprehensive perspective on the process and practices necessary for effective advocacy.

Heather is married to Patrick Browne and is the mother of Alex, now 20. She presently serves on the Board of both the Valley Youth House and Northampton County Meals on Wheels.

Jack Phillips

Jack Phillips joined Pugliese Associates in January 2011 bringing with him nearly 10 years of lobbying experience.

Prior to joining Pugliese Associates, Jack was Manager of State Government Affairs for Case New Holland, Inc. (CNH). Jack was responsible for the state and provincial government relations of CNH, including economic and business development, and legislative and regulatory lobbying in the United States and Canada.

Prior to joining CNH, Jack served as the Director of Government Affairs for the Building Industry Association of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania (BIA). He was responsible for interacting with Federal, State and Local elected and appointed officials. He also managed all aspects of the state and local political action committee for the Association and developed the local legislative priorities for the Association.

Prior to his role at the BIA, Jack was Director of Government Affairs at the REALTORS® Association of York and Adams Counties, Pennsylvania.

Jack received his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from West Chester University of Pennsylvania and his Juris Doctorate degree from Widener University School of Law.

Chris Meehan

Chris Meehan joined Pugliese Associates in May of 2011. Chris brings with him a wealth of professional sales experience in the private sector all of which has been devoted to bringing advanced technology business solutions to public sector organizations. He has become a recognized leader in developing and executing successful sales strategies for private sector companies pursuing business with state and local government entities.

Chris has held individual contributor roles as well as leadership and management roles with some of the leading private sector technology firms including IBM, SAP, Unisys, Microsoft and SAS Institute. His leadership has led to satisfied clients, successful engagements and long standing executive relationships.

Given his extensive and dedicated experience to the state and local government industry, Chris understands the challenges and opportunities available for private sector companies pursuing business in this segment. His insight, commitment to client satisfaction and detailed knowledge of the procurement processes in government will benefit not only Pugliese Associates’ clients but also the government agencies they serve.

Chris received his Bachelor’s Degree from Saint Michael’s College in Vermont.

Louis J. Biacchi

Louis Biacchi joined Pugliese Associates in November of 2011 after working for more than 25 years for the Pennsylvania Builders Association. Lou served as Executive Vice President for the Association, a statewide trade association representing over 6,500 employer members in the residential construction industry. Mr. Biacchi is responsible for overseeing all aspects of the Association.

Before taking on the role as EVP, for 24 years he was the Director of Governmental Affairs for the Pennsylvania Builders Association. Prior to working for PBA, he served as Director of Governmental Affairs for the Pennsylvania Retailers Association and in leadership staff positions for the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.

He is a graduate of Gannon University in Erie, where he earned a BA in Political Science. Mr. Biacchi, his wife and two sons currently reside in Dauphin County.

Linda S. Tully

Linda joined the staff at Pugliese Associates in July of 2003 as the Administrative Assistant and currently serves as the firm's Office Manager.

Linda's diverse employment background and skills complement our administrative staff. Over the past 20 years her experience has included: Administrative Assistant and Treasurer of the Borough of West Reading Pennsylvania; Customer Service/Sales Rep for True Temper Hardware in Camp Hill and Tri Starr Metals in Charlotte, NC; and Circulation Department Manager at the Hershey Public Library.

Linda also worked for a short time for the House of Representatives as an intern in the Legislative Office for Research Liaison.

Linda graduated magna cum laude from Penn State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Public Policy.

Megan A. Milford

Megan joined Pugliese Associates in April 2006. She brings experience and knowledge of Pennsylvania state government from her previous work within the public, corporate and state trade association sectors. Her responsibilities include monitoring clients' issues and tracking pertinent legislative activity.

Prior to joining the firm, Megan served six years as Vice President of the Pennsylvania Business Roundtable. In that capacity she was responsible for managing the organizations Environmental, Health Care and Economic Development Subcommittees as well as researching and developing business related public policy positions.

She 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 serves on the Board of the YMCA Youth and Government. Her interests include boating, golf and college football.

Karen Swanson

Karen Swanson joined Pugliese Associates in May of 2006 as the administrative assistant.

Originally from Bucks County PA, Karen has spent the last 4 years in a Government Affairs Office in Washington DC as an Executive Assistant.

Karen has a BA in International Relations and German from Ursinus College in Collegeville, PA where she spent a summer interning for Senator Joe Conti. While working in Washington, she also received a Certificate of Graduate Study in International Relations from the Institute of World Politics (a Boston University Affiliate).

She now resides in Harrisburg with her husband Nate.

Thomas J. McCormac

In Memoriam

Tom McCormac, who joined the firm as a Partner in February of 2001 after serving as the Chief-of-Staff to the House Majority Leader, John Perzel for six and one-half years, died in a car accident on July 18, 2001. Tom was traveling with Rocco Pugliese from a legislative fundraiser in the Scranton area. Tom was 36 years of age. Tom was an inspiration to all of us; and, from a personal and professional perspective, Tom will be missed greatly.

Tom's spirit will always be with us and will always be part of Pugliese Associates.