What are your areas of expertise?

With a background in federal compliance, I head the company’s federal services practice and work with our clients to fully comply with federal registration and reporting requirements as well as gift and travel laws associated with both the Legislative and Executive Branch.

How long have you been at State and Federal Communications?

I have been with the company for 14 years

How do you help our clients?

I work with our clients to help them navigate the compliance landscape at the federal level.  I help establish robust processes and procedures to capture relevant activity tailored toward each clients’ needs, field a variety of questions regarding federal activity, establish best practices, manage the compilation process from start to finish and help ensure each client files a complete and accurate report with the U.S. House and Senate.

People talk about Corporate Social Responsibility or CSR as we refer to it at State and Federal Communications. But is it a line item in your company’s business plan and budget or just something on your TO-DO list, transferred from one week to the next?

In 2017, we had the opportunity to bring Joe May back from a brief hiatus to head up our CSR department. We have always been incredibly involved in our community, industry, and with our clients but it was not organized. Joe keeps track of everything we are involved in and has a boatload of examples to share in our CSR annual report.

The 2022 Annual Report is in production and will be available soon on our website—www.stateandfed.com.

We always hear a successful CSR program begins at the top…and at State and Federal Communications, which is me. As time and travel permit, you will see me with the team at Read to Me Day from the United Way of Summit and Medina; I order Girl Scout cookies from every scout who asks; and we have provided time off for these activities during the regular
day of business.

Check out the past and current reports on our website, www.stateandfed.com. You will see the staff out and about at Day of Action events; food distribution held monthly; and even working the polls on Election Day.

CSR is part of our culture. CSR is what we do to help others less fortunate. Our CSR programs are recognized by other businesses, our local county government, and definitely by the groups we support.

Start your CSR program today. It truly is a wonderful way to give back, extend a hand up to help others.

Until next month, how will you help your community in the next 31 days. Share your story with us. I am going to chair the United Way campaign in our community and will
have lots of examples of giving back and helping others.

How many know the International Soap Box Derby is in Akron, Ohio? That is right, the big hill is right here and that is where we found Mark Gerberich, who up until the end of February was its president.

That changed on March 6th when Mark walked in the State and Federal Communications, Inc. office as our new Director of Business Development.

You all know I know a lot of people…Well, Mark knows tons more people—here in Akron and around the country.

He is here to help our sales and marketing departments soar to infinity and beyond. His key abilities include being an experienced sales manager with a track record of driving sales and delivering results along with developing national/key accounts.

While Mark was at the Derby, it was able to return to financial and operational stability, navigated the uncertainty and challenges of the pandemic, recruited new members of the Board of Directors and its committees, and maintained a dedicated and mission-driven staff and volunteer base within the Derby DTEM-based education program and offerings.

This is great for me. While Mark is working with the sales and marketing departments, I will have my own plate very full. I have five huge projects on my list to finish in the next three to four years and still continue to run this fabulous company.

There is a lot to do and having Mark Gerberich in a senior position will help move things along. He will join me at upcoming programs. You will see he is a proven leader of experience in sales, marketing, promotions, and television.

Stay tuned. There will be a lot of new things happening at State and Federal Communications.

Every year around this time, I not only look forward to the coming of Spring and to another birthday, but I also look forward to honoring the outstanding achievements and contributions made by women both past and present!

Women’s History Month (designated as such in 1987 when Congress passed Public Law 100-9) is also a great time to reach out to (and re-connect with) the women in your network, and to let them know how absolutely fantastic they are! Let these great women know that they are truly special, and that there is nothing they cannot accomplish – especially when they have other great women (and men!) guiding, supporting, mentoring and high-fiving them along the way!

During this month, I also encourage you to support the organizations that help to support the amazing women in your circle!  Join these organizations and provide not only your financial resources but also your time – a number of these organizations are volunteer-lead, and are always looking for ways for members and supporters to get involved!

It is said that Spring is a time for new beginnings… Begin today by committing to lifting up women, being an ally and serving as a resource – and don’t forget – their story is your story is our story – we’re in this together!

What are your areas of expertise?

Network architecture, design and management, SQL Database design and management, as well as web design and data integration.

How long have you been at State and Federal Communications?

I have been with the company for over 25 years.

How do you help our clients?

I am the man behind the curtain, every system the client uses has a little bit of my expertise in it.

We rarely send surveys to our clients. There are so many times people send suggestions that I just do not think about it.

In 2022, we did send out a survey to all our subscription clients. These are the people who use stateandfed.com the most. It was a simple five question survey, and all responders received a $10 Starbucks gift card.

We were impressed 95% of the responders indicated they were expert in using their computer to do research and only a few responders found the site a little difficult to use.

What we were able to find out is many of you want SUBTOPICS. I do, too!

I find it difficult to open Registration in a jurisdiction and scroll to the end to find the research for fees and filing terminations.

It doesn’t have to be that way anymore!!!!!!!! (I now feel like I am in a Ronco commercial!)

You will now find SUBTOPICS for Registration and Reports Required. This means you can quickly go to the info you want.

• Is Registration Required
• Local Lobbying
• Who Must Register
• What Information Must be Included?
• When is Registration Required
• Registration Threshold
• Term of Registration
• Is Special Authorization Needed From Employer
• With Whom Does the Lobbyist Register
• Amount of Fee
• Required Training
• Additional Requirements
• Electronic Registration
• Amendments
• Registration Termination

Check it out! It will save a lot of time when you know what you need to find.

Still need assistance on how this new feature works. Our Client Relations Coordinator Anthony Didion is happy to give you a quick tour. You can contact him at adidion@stateandfed.com or
call him at 330-761-9960.

Thank you for bringing up such a great suggestion. And don’t wait until we send a survey.
Feel free to contact us with your suggestions.

What are your areas of expertise?

I focus on the lobbying, campaign finance, and pay-to-play laws in the northeastern United States.

How long have you been with State and Federal Communications?

I have been with State and Federal for a year and a half.

How do you help our clients?

I keep our clients up-to-date on new and changing laws and regulations and provide information on how they can stay compliant in the region.

What are your areas of expertise?

Working with our clients to make sure their needs are addressed in a timely manner. Giving our clients the training and resources needed to complete their tasks.

How long have you been with State and Federal Communications?

I have been with the company for 6 years!

How do you help our clients?

I’m the main contact for all of our subscription clients. I make sure the users have the training and access they need to excel at their jobs.

I know we all say how hard it is to believe it is going to be 2023 and how fast the days and months go by now…It is true. Don’t you think when you were in high school it took forever to finally graduate? The years now just zip by us.

2023 is going to be an amazing year for State and Federal Communications.

1. Our staff is so experienced on the work we do and help our clients each day.
2. By Q4, our Akron headquarters will move into new space where we are all together on one floor making discussions, collaborations, and esprit de corps easier.
3. Oh, and we will celebrate our 30th anniversary in July.

It’s that last one that is hard to believe. I know I am not the only one in the country with this tenure. I am so proud of the company this whole team has built and how successful we are for their families and for our community. “You are everywhere” is a common comment when folks see us sponsor events, step up to serve on committees, and just be great community ambassadors both in Akron and in DC.

So, what can you expect from us in 2023.

1. A more robust website where we provide additional tabs making it easier to get to your needed information.
2. There will be additional entries added to our International guidebook and by the end of the year we will have covered ALL known international-level lobbying laws.
3. Opportunities for people to join our team. Really, we are looking for folks to assist with research and compliance so if you are interested contact hr@stateandfed.com for more information.

As I prepare for a New Year, I am cleaning off my desk, preparing new files, looking forward to what the year will hold, and most important, seeing our friends at conferences and meetings all year long.

December is now upon us, and as everyone is in the midst of work, family and holiday season obligations, it is important to take some time this month to get into “PRO” mode in preparation for 2023.  What is PRO mode, you ask?  Well:

P is for Planning – December is a great time to take a look back at your planning strategies for this year and make some tweaks to get yourself ready for 2023!  Do you typically put off work projects, travel plans or other things on your “to do” list until the very last minute, no doubt causing you stress and anxiety?  Assess why this is the case and think about some ways that you might be able to improve your “tackling that list” timing!

R is for Reflecting – December is also a great time to begin reflecting upon the current year:  What were your wins or significant accomplishments?  What were your challenges? Who were the people this year whom were your greatest allies, and whom made the biggest impact on you? What are your goals for 2023?

O is for Organizing – Remember those goals for 2023 that’s now on your radar?  December is a great time to start organizing to set yourself up for achieving those goals!  Maybe you get yourself a new planner and some colorful pens for writing down your next steps? Or, maybe you begin decluttering your home or office space in preparation for the new year and a new outlook?!

As you prepare for 2023, don’t forget to also take the time to reach out to those in your circle and ask them how they plan to get into “PRO” mode for 2023?  I wish you all a very happy and safe holiday season, and all the best for the coming year!

Meet Joe May, Manager, Corporate Social Responsibility at State and Federal Communications!

What are your areas of expertise?

I manage State and Federal Communications’ corporate social responsibility programs. This company is a true leader in corporate philanthropy and community engagement.

How long have you been at State and Federal Communications?

I have been with the company for 15 years.

How do you help our clients?

It is important for our clients to know about our commitment to the greater community. I showcase our CSR efforts through digital media posts, videos, and especially in our CSR Annual Report, which anyone can find on our website.

I am always looking for great folks to add to our State and Federal Communications community. I recently was aware that Joe Wasser was looking for a new opportunity. Joe has more than 24 years of business development experience in the government relations and PAC industry. So I picked up the phone and called him.

Joe joined State and Federal Communications, Inc. in October as our new Senior Account Manager. He brings a wealth of experience and expertise in government relations and building relationships. I am thrilled he is on our team.

Prior to joining State and Federal Communications, Joe was one of the first employees of Capitol Hill Software which became Vocus before it was acquired by Cision. Joe was one of the most instrumental people in building the Vocus client base starting in 1997.

“I’m excited to work with my longtime friend Elizabeth and the team at State and Federal Communications,” said Wasser. “I know we can build upon the great work that has already been done and help the company grow.”

Joe will explore business development and new growth opportunities for State and Federal Communications including market assessment, and new and emerging industry potential.
When Joe started with Capitol Hill Software and Vocus, the products were sold as physical diskettes that were sent to clients. Similarly, State and Federal Communications sent out binders and guidebooks to clients and would regularly supplement them with additional pages.

While State and Federal Communications was modernizing the process of making compliance web-based, Joe and the Vocus teamwere doing the same thing to create one of the most widely used web-based filing tools for federal PACs. His experience adds great value to State and Federal Communications.

A life-long Maryland Terrapin, Joe is a big fan of Washington D.C. sports particularly the Washington Nationals. However, after getting a taste of a winning culture in the Cleveland Guardians, he has adopted the Guardians as a fan too.

Joe and his wife Suzanne live on the eastern shore of Maryland. They have two adult children and are delighted to be welcoming their first grandchild in January 2023.

If Joe knows you, he will be in contact with you. He is as much an extrovert as me and I already know he will be a great addition.

On behalf of the State and Federal Communications Family, we wish you and yours Happy Holidays and look forward to a busy 2023 in the states, federal government, municipalities, and international countries.

Meet Adrienne Borgstahl, Esq., Manager, Compliance Services at State and Federal Communications!

What are your areas of expertise?

I am a Manager of Compliance Services in our compliance department. I specialize in providing guidance regarding ethics and lobbying laws.

How many years of experience do you have at State and Federal Communications?

I have been with the company for 6 and a half years.

What is it that you do to help our clients?

I always answer questions promptly and try to present our clients with the big picture. When I provide our clients with all the necessary information, they can rest easy!

Q: What are the different types of lobbyists in Arizona? Which expenditures are required to be reported on the quarterly or annual report? Do expenditures by my contract firm need to be disclosed?

A: In Arizona, there are three main types of lobbyists required to be listed on the principal registration: the designated lobbyist, authorized lobbyists, and Lobbyists for Compensation (LFC). The designated lobbyist acts as the single point of contact for the principal and is required to file quarterly and annual reports. Authorized lobbyists are employed by the principal for the purpose of lobbying, other than the designated lobbyist, listed on the registration and permitted to perform lobbying activities on behalf of the principal.  An LFC is a third-party lobbyist or contract firm compensated for the primary purpose of lobbying on behalf of a principal. While an LFC can act as the designated lobbyist for a principal most companies prefer to use an in-house employee to serve as point of contact for accountability purposes.

The designated lobbyist and each LFC are required to file four separate quarterly reports. The fourth quarter report also requires a cumulative total for the calendar year. While quarterly reports do not require personal expenditures by an authorized lobbyist to be reported, all expenditures must be disclosed in the principal annual report. The principal annual report must also include all reportable expenditures previously disclosed by each LFC on their quarterly reports.

Reportable expenditures provide a benefit to an individual state officer or state employee, whether or not the expenditure was made in the course of lobbying. All expenditures must be reported in one of the following categories: food and beverage; speaking engagement; travel and lodging; flowers; or other expenditures.

Expenditures more than $20 must be itemized and include the name and title of the state officer or employee benefiting; date, amount, and category of expenditure; and the name of the person who made the expenditure on behalf of the principal. Expenditures less than $20 may be reported in the aggregate. Additionally, expenditures for special events require the disclosure of the legislative body invited, date, location, description of event, and the total amount to be disclosed.