Richard brings nearly a decade of experience representing the nation’s governors before Congress, the administration, and federal agencies. His expertise spans infrastructure, transportation, energy, telecommunications, economic development, public finance, tax policy, and international trade. Most recently, Richard served as legislative director at the National Governors Association, where he led federal advocacy efforts on behalf of the nation’s 55 governors and territorial leaders.
Prior to joining NGA, Richard held government affairs and public policy roles with The Trust for Public Land, the American Planning Association, and the National Association of Regional Councils, where he worked on issues spanning economic development, infrastructure, regional planning, conservation, and community revitalization. Richard holds a master’s degree in political management from the George Washington University and a bachelor’s degree in history and political science from Gettysburg College and has also studied at American University and the London School of Economics.
Zach is a partner in FTP’s federal government relations practice. He provides guidance to Fortune 500 companies, nonprofits, and government entities on legislative strategies before Congress.
Zach has constructed and executed dozens of strategies on behalf of clients on issues across tax, finance, housing, healthcare, and technology. He has secured millions of dollars in federal funding for clients, representing universities and municipalities before the Senate and House Appropriations Committees.
A partner at Cauthen, Forbes & Williams — which later became FTP — and former managing director of Cauthen and Associates in Washington, D.C., Zach’s experience in Democratic politics began with his work with the Alabama Democratic Party in the 1996 statewide coordinated campaign. He coordinated logistics for credentials at the 2000 and 2004 Democratic National Conventions, helped lead grassroots efforts in Pennsylvania for Gore–Lieberman 2000 and Lieberman for Senate 2006, and served as a top advisor in then–Lt. Governor Lucy Baxley’s 2006 campaign for Governor of Alabama.
A graduate of the University of Southern Mississippi, Zach received his bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Foreign Languages and also studied business law at the L’Ecole Supérieure du Commerce Extérieur in Paris, France. Zach and his wife are natives of Alabama and have two children.
Lauren is a director in FTP’s public affairs practice. She works with FTP’s field network to advance client interests at the state and federal levels through community engagement, earned and paid media, and content development.
Lauren’s on-the-ground experience and creative style make her a versatile team member, bouncing from complex trade issues to emotional healthcare appeals. She is able to quickly “get smart” on any issue, and think strategically about the best course of action for any problem.
Starting her career at a boutique public affairs firm in Nashville, TN allowed her to hone her communications, research, and government affairs skills. Lauren was immersed in all aspects of client work on a diverse set of issues, from opposing wastewater treatment plants to securing Certificates of Need or handling strategic communication for law enforcement co-response units.
Hailing from Irmo, SC, she is passionate about connecting with real people on real issues, and centers deep understanding of target audiences and communities for every issue.
Ryan Welch is a partner in FTP’s federal government relations practice. He leads FTP’s appropriations work, working closely with clients across agriculture, transportation, research and development, technology and innovation, energy, natural resources, law enforcement, and homeland security. Ryan brings unparalleled expertise on issues related to the Senate Appropriations Committee.
Prior to joining the firm, Ryan served on the staff of retired U.S. Senator Richard Shelby (R-AL), former chairman of the Senate Appropriations, Banking, Intelligence, and Rules Committees. From January 2002 to September 2007, he served as a legislative correspondent, legislative assistant, and legislative director for Senator Shelby. During Ryan’s time in the Senate, he covered a broad portfolio of issues, including agriculture, commerce, energy, environment, education, trade, waterways, law enforcement, homeland security, NASA, FEMA, transportation, science, and natural resources.
As a legislative assistant, Ryan served as the primary staffer on all domestic appropriations issues, which required the evaluation of projects being considered for inclusion in Senator Shelby’s priority list. He has also worked closely with both the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee and Senate leadership during the development of key energy legislation, including the Energy Policy Act of 2005 and the Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act of 2006.
Ryan has been active in the Republican Party and various campaigns at the state and national levels since college. Since 2010, he has served as part of a leadership team of a highly successful volunteer driven Get Out the Vote (GOTV) effort in the state of Ohio. A longtime volunteer and member of the Planning Committee for the YMCA Youth Conference on National Affairs, Ryan is a native of Wetumpka, Alabama, and a graduate of Auburn University, where he studied political science.
Doug Usher is a partner and leads FTP’s insights and analytics practice. He has spent the last two decades building insights that have helped change the strategic trajectory of major corporations, industry associations, and political campaigns. Combining deep expertise in opinion research, data analysis, and analytics with years of experience navigating the intersection between business goals and the political, policy, and regulatory spheres, Doug helps clients build winning strategies and campaigns across a broad range of industries, with a particular focus on the healthcare, technology, and energy sectors.
In addition to his work at FTP, Doug helped launch the M.S. program in Political Analytics at Columbia University, where he consults, lectures, and helps develop the next generation of analytics professionals. Doug has appeared on MSNBC, CNBC, Fox News, CNN, National Public Radio, and CBC TV in Canada to analyze trends in public opinion and politics. His writing has been published in The Wall Street Journal, National Journal, The Hill, and Campaigns & Elections.
Andres is a senior vice president in FTP’s state advocacy (governor engagement) and federal government affairs practices and ranks among the country’s leading authorities on Latino political and economic strategy, with a career spanning three decades at the center of Latino politics. He began his career as an aide to Senator Harry Reid (D-NV), working on public lands, mining, transportation, immigration, and education and advising the senator on Latino issues and community engagement. Andres became one of the most influential figures in Nevada and national Latino politics, shaping how Washington understands the Latino electorate, and today translates that understanding into strategy for companies and investors whose markets and politics run through Latino communities in the United States and across Latin America.
Leading FTP’s Latin America work, Andres advises U.S. companies and investors on the cross‑border political and reputational dynamics that connect the United States and the rest of the Americas. As Latin America moves to the center of U.S. economic and security debates—from Venezuela and the Panama Canal to North American trade and competition with China over influence and supply chains—his relationships across the hemisphere help clients stay ahead of fast‑moving developments. He co‑founded Latinos in Foreign Policy and hosts FTP’s Latin America Policy Forum, which convenes Latin American ambassadors, policymakers, and corporate leaders around the world.
Andres works closely with the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, the Nevada congressional delegation, major national Latino organizations, and national civic groups. A fixture in Democratic politics, he has served on the Democratic National Committee and raises funds through Latino donor networks and political action committees on behalf of Democratic candidates across the country, where shifting Latino demographics are reshaping American politics. A longtime advocate on Latino healthcare and public health issues, he serves on the board of the National Hispanic Health Foundation and as president of its Action Fund, advising health systems, payers, and life sciences companies on health equity and demographic risk. His community engagement and enrollment work has been honored at the highest levels, including a health enrollment program the Obama White House cited as a successful model.
Previously, Andres led national work on Latino political strategy and digital campaigns at NDN, a Washington think tank, and founded the Ramirez Group, an award‑winning public affairs and community engagement firm based in Las Vegas. He has managed and advised campaigns at the federal, state, and local levels and has served as a redistricting expert for state legislatures. He also worked in Nevada Governor Bob Miller’s (D) Washington office, focused on healthcare, transportation, and federal‑state coordination, and served as a federal lobbyist for the City of Las Vegas and Caesars Entertainment, building deep expertise in gaming, hospitality, and Western economic development.
Peter is a partner and leads FTP’s state advocacy (50-state governor engagement) practice. He has spent his career helping both the public and private sectors navigate the space between capital markets and government at the highest levels. As a former member of the Clinton Administration White House Staff, Peter has applied that knowledge and experience to assist companies in developing strategies that either solve complex problems or increase public sector sales. His clients include publicly-traded and privately-held businesses in the financial services, infrastructure, and technology sectors.
Peter has served on numerous public and private Boards of Directors and worked on more than a dozen political campaigns, beginning his career as a political operative on the Clinton for President campaign in 1992. He previously served as the national treasurer for the Democratic Governors Association from 2014–2018, and remains a key member of their Finance Cabinet. In 2013, he played a leading role in the successful election of his longtime friend, Terry McAuliffe, as the 72nd Governor of Virginia.
Previously, Peter served as the senior advisor to the chairman of the Democratic National Committee (DNC). His main focus was on developing and advising the national committee on strategic planning, while overseeing a $30 million capital campaign that transformed the national party headquarters and operations. Prior to joining the staff of the DNC, Peter served as the director of major donor development for the William J. Clinton Presidential Foundation. From 1996 to 1998, he served on the White House staff and spearheaded the administration’s efforts to coordinate with the business community to pass key sections of the Clinton Economic Program.
Peter holds degrees from Marist University and the London School of Economics. He and his wife Sara and their two children reside in Washington, D.C.
Rick Murphy is a partner in FTP’s federal government relations practice and leads the firm’s Republican advocacy. He works at the center of Senate Republican politics, with deep relationships in Republican leadership and across the conferences, committees, and federal agencies where policy is decided. A former Senate chief of staff, he guides Fortune 500 companies, investors, and trade associations across energy and utilities, technology and telecom, transportation and aviation, aerospace and defense, financial services, and consumer goods. Clients rely on Rick for direct access to the Republican leaders and members who decide outcomes in the U.S. Senate.
As chief of staff to Senator Kelly Ayotte (R-NH), Rick ran a 40-person operation and directed the senator’s legislative and political agendas in daily coordination with Republican leadership. He is a prolific fundraiser for Republican candidates and the statewide campaigns that decide the majority. In a chamber that still runs on personal relationships, Rick’s run a generation deep.
Rick began his career on Judd Gregg’s (R-NH) 1992 Senate campaign, serving as chief field operative and building a statewide operation county by county before following Gregg to Washington for his first stint in the U.S. Senate. Before returning to the Senate with Senator Ayotte, he spent 15 years running his own federal lobbying firm, R.B. Murphy & Associates, where he represented Fortune 50 companies including Google and Altria, major trade associations, and the nation’s leading scientific organizations. A native of Middlebury, Connecticut, Rick holds a bachelor’s degree from New England College in New Hampshire.
Elizabeth is a director in FTP’s public affairs practice. She advises clients on strategic communications and leads media relations activities, from reporter engagement to earned media content development and placement.
She is a trusted strategist with proven success implementing winning campaign strategies across issue areas, including complex energy policy to challenging trade and other high-stakes issues. Her work is grounded in close collaboration with colleagues and clients alike, enabling her to quickly master tough topics and craft tailored strategies that advance each client’s goals.
Before joining FTP, Elizabeth managed constituent engagement and supported external communications for Congressman David Joyce (R-OH), serving on Capitol Hill for nearly three years.
Rachel Miller is a partner in FTP’s federal government relations practice and serves as the firm’s head of policy. Rachel also leads the firm’s energy practice as a highly-respected energy and environmental expert with 25 years of corporate, regulatory, and congressional experience.
Rachel joined the firm as a senior vice president in 2012, providing clients with unique government relations strategies, coalition management, third-party outreach, and deep ties within executive branch agencies and throughout Capitol Hill. Rachel’s deep knowledge of the federal appropriations and budget processes has proven to be an invaluable asset to clients. She has helped countless clients secure large Department of Energy grants, enabling their projects to move forward.
Prior to joining FTP, Rachel served as vice president of energy and environment practice at Capitol Solutions. Before that, she worked on mandatory climate change legislation and policies to support low-carbon power, as director of federal affairs for BP America. There, she co-founded the Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) Contact Group and managed BP’s legislative agenda within the U.S. Climate Action Partnership (USCAP).
She served for nearly four years as legislative assistant to the late Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), the former chair of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development, as a policy advisor on energy, transportation, and agriculture issues. While on Senator Feinstein’s staff, Rachel drafted legislation that laid the groundwork for the first statutory increase in fuel economy standards adopted since 1975. She also played a key role in drafting energy market transparency legislation that was eventually incorporated as part of the 2008 Farm Bill. Rachel previously served in the House of Representatives as a legislative assistant for former Congressman Eliot Engel (D-NY), focusing on energy policy, the environment, and education issues.
Rachel was the founder and president of the National Board of the Women’s Energy Network (WEN). Born and raised in New York, Rachel received a B,A. from Northwestern University and a Master’s degree in Political Management from George Washington University.
