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.
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.
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.
