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.
Kelley is a partner in FTP’s federal government relations practice. A federal lobbyist and legislative strategist with more than 20 years of experience, she represents Fortune 500 companies, Wall Street institutions, and national trade associations before Congress and federal agencies. Her practice centers on financial services, insurance, and banking policy, and extends across transportation, telecommunications, and fintech. She is a well-respected advocate on Capitol Hill, known for her engagement with House Democrats and financial services-focused members of the House Financial Services Committee.
Before joining FTP, Kelley served as associate vice president of legislative affairs at the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA), where she was the organization’s lead Democratic lobbyist for the House of Representatives. In that role, she drove MBA’s legislative agenda on GSE reform, real estate investment trust policy, flood insurance, High Volatility Commercial Real Estate loans, and regulatory relief.
Before MBA, Kelley served as director of government affairs at The Hartford, one of the largest insurance companies in the United States, where she managed the company’s federal lobbying on insurance policy. She began her career at the American Land Title Association, where she combined direct lobbying with oversight of the association’s political action committees.
Kelley holds a B.A. in Communication and Political Science from the University of Miami. She lives in Washington, DC with her husband.
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.
Jeff Strunk is a Partner in FTP’s Government Relations Practice. Jeff works with Fortune 500 companies, trade organizations, and coalitions, representing client interests on a range of legislative and regulatory issues and bringing particular expertise in financial products and services, banking, energy, telecommunications, tax, and cybersecurity.
Before joining the firm in 2013, Jeff spent eight years on Capitol Hill, including six years with House Republican Leadership, most recently serving as deputy floor director to former Speaker of the House John Boehner (R-OH). During his time in House Leadership, Mr. Strunk formed incredibly strong relationships with members of Congress from both sides of the aisle. He developed expertise in parliamentary procedure, House Rules, and a thorough understanding of the inner workings of House Leadership and Congress. These roots connect him to a wide variety of House Committees. He frequently works with members of the House Ways and Means, Financial Services, Energy and Commerce, Judiciary, and Transportation and Infrastructure Committees. Jeff also maintains deep ties to both the House Intelligence and Homeland Security Committees.
Prior to serving as deputy floor director to former Speaker of the House John Boehner (R-OH), Jeff spent three years as floor assistant. Earlier, he worked for former Congressman Patrick J. Tiberi (R-OH), a previous Chairman of the influential Ways and Means Committee’s Subcommittee on Health.
Jeff has long been active in the Republican Party, both in Ohio and at the national level. He has worked on numerous campaigns including that of his former boss Patrick J. Tiberi (R-OH). He continues to lead an organized volunteer campaign effort in his home state of Ohio. For more than six years, he has led an independent GOTV program in the Buckeye State that helps to provide grassroots support to Republican candidates at the local, state, and federal levels. A native of Columbus, Ohio, Mr. Strunk is a graduate of Xavier University, where he received his B.S. in Political Science. He and his wife and three children live in Washington, D.C.
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.
Sam is a senior vice president in FTP’s state advocacy (50-state governor engagement) practice. Prior to joining FTP, Sam served as the senior deputy chief of staff for federal affairs at the Office of the Illinois Governor, JB Pritzker (D). In this capacity, he served as the State’s principal liaison to key federal partners including Illinois’ Congressional Delegation, the White House, and federal departments and agencies, making sure the State’s federal priorities were properly represented in legislative and policymaking decisions on Capitol Hill. Additionally, Sam maintained relationships and communication with other states that shared similar federal-level goals, such as identifying common issues and forming multi-state strategic partnerships to better amplify advocacy efforts with various federal decision makers.
Sam began his time with the Illinois Governor’s Federal Affairs Office in 2019 as a legislative aide before assuming the role of first assistant deputy chief of staff in 2020 and ultimately was tapped to lead Governor Pritzker’s D.C. office in the spring of 2022. During his time leading Governor Pritzker’s federal affairs team and serving as Illinois’ designated infrastructure coordinator, Sam spearheaded Illinois’ federal funding strategy and was a key player in bringing home hundreds of millions of dollars’ worth of federal discretionary grant awards to projects across the state.
Most notably, Sam focused on securing funding opportunities made possible by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) and the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). Notable BIL wins that Sam helped deliver for Illinois’ infrastructure needs included nearly $100 million for Chicago Union Station, $95 million for Illinois’ I-290, $52 million for Route 9 in Bloomington, and over $290 million for the CREATE rail program. Sam furthered Illinois’ nation-leading clean energy goals by helping the state secure significant IRA funding awards, including over $200 million in Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund dollars and a $430 million Climate Pollution Reduction Grant award.
Additionally, Sam also led advocacy efforts on Capitol Hill related to Illinois’ ambitious quantum computing agenda which helped bring federal quantum funding and initiatives to Illinois, including The Bloch EDA Tech Hub and the DARPA-Illinois Quantum Proving Ground. Sam earned his undergraduate bachelor’s degree at the Pennsylvania State University’s Smeal College of Business. Although born in Chicago, Sam was raised in Potomac, M.D., and considers the Washington, D.C.-area home.
Anthony is a senior designer on FTP’s creative team, where he leads and executes design across the firm’s sectors. He specializes in translating complex ideas into clear, compelling visual solutions that support strategic communications and integrated public affairs campaigns.
In his role, Anthony develops intentional creative for campaigns and coalitions spanning healthcare, transportation and infrastructure, education and workforce, and other emerging public affairs issues. He is passionate about blending refined aesthetics with meaningful impact, ensuring that design not only captures attention but also resonates with diverse audiences and advances clients’ strategic goals.
Prior to joining FTP, Anthony spent seven years working across agency and in‑house environments with a focus on digital media and branding. His experience includes art directing global sustainability campaigns for Microsoft, developing high‑performing social content for Nike Basketball, evolving the visual identity of The Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy, and creating brand systems for Compass real estate agents in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area.
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.
