PUBLIC POLICY PARTNERS

FOLEY & LARDNER LLP

Foley’s Madison attorneys have deep roots in the Madison business community, and strong ties to state government and the University of Wisconsin. We combine these with the fully integrated resources of a national firm with a global reach. With these connections, we provide the seasoned support you need as Wisconsin’s capital city continues to expand its prominence in the national economy.

 

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JASON CHILDRESS

Jason M. Childress is a public affairs director with Foley & Lardner LLP. He is a member of the Government & Public Policy Practice based in Madison, Wisconsin.

He is a seasoned government affairs professional who counsels corporations, non-profits and trade groups on all aspects of state and local government advocacy and procurement. Jason assists clients with the state legislative and budget process as well as engages with state agencies on regulatory and purchasing matters. He is also a registered lobbyist with the City of Milwaukee, Milwaukee County and Dane County, where he helps numerous clients engage with local leaders to achieve their goals.

Jason also has extensive non-profit experience, having served as the assistant development director for United Way. There he worked with top leadership in every major area employer to secure funding for social service programs. As the regional development director for Special Olympics Wisconsin, Jason worked to secure corporate, individual and government support for the organization’s programming. He also served on the board and as the government relations chair for the Association of Fundraising Professionals. In this role he helped advocate for federal tax code changes to encourage greater philanthropic giving.

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JOE LEIBHAM

Joe Leibham is a public affairs director at the national law firm of Foley & Lardner LLP. The former state senator manages the public affairs practice in Wisconsin. In that capacity, he represents numerous corporate and nonprofit clients before the legislature, the governor's office and state agencies in Wisconsin. His public affairs practice includes legislative lobbying, media relations, grassroots advocacy, rulemaking and agency procurement.

Mr. Leibham represented the residents of the 9th Senate District, encompassing parts of Sheboygan, Manitowoc and Calumet counties from 2003–2014. During his tenure in the State Senate, he served as the president pro tempore, republican caucus chairman and assistant minority leader.

Mr. Leibham served on the Joint Finance Committee for three legislative sessions. He also served as the chairman of the Senate Committees on Economic Development, Transportation, Veterans and Military Affairs, Information Infrastructure and the Joint Committee for the Review of Administrative Rules. In addition, he has served on Senate committees focused on the areas of biotechnology, elections, local government, public safety and workforce readiness.

In 2014, Mr. Leibham was a candidate in the Republican primary for Wisconsin's Sixth District for the United States Congress. Prior to serving in the State Senate, he served in the Wisconsin State Assembly and as a member of the Sheboygan City Council.

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ALICIA SCHWEITZER

Alicia Schweitzer is a public affairs director with Foley & Lardner LLP. She has an extensive career in public affairs and shaping perception in both the public and private sectors. 

Prior to joining Foley, Alicia served as a policy advisor for the Wisconsin State Assembly Speaker where she researched, drafted and advised him and select members of the Wisconsin State Assembly on policy initiatives, administrative rules and the legislative process. In the past, she has advised on and drafted talking points, media responses and constituent outreach for legislators. Alicia has also successfully managed winning campaigns for two members of the current Wisconsin State Assembly.

Alicia previously served as a government affairs and communications associate for a Wisconsin lobbying and public affairs firm focused on political and public policy. In this role, she acted as a lead lobbyist identifying relevant policy and working to develop and implement strategies and tactics to achieve effective outcomes for clients while maintaining working relationships with members of the legislature, their staff and the administration. She was responsible for drafting, reviewing and distributing communications such as testimony, white papers, bill analysis, newsletters and articles to clients and state staff.

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CHAIR: Rob Johnson, Kettle Moraine, rjohnson@kmymca.org

Gage Beck, Green Bay

Lisa Coombs-Gerou, Milwaukee

Jason Childress, Foley & Lardner

Stan Kocos, Volunteer

Linda May, Chippewa Valley

Jessica Mieling, Glacial Community

Aaron Miller, Waukesha

Mary Panzer, Volunteer

Donna Wendlandt, Sheboygan County

Ryan Zietlow, Northwoods

Jon Agnew, Regional Alliance

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