Our Team
The State Federal Strategies team members bring experience and expertise to the table for every project.
Our Leadership
The State Federal Strategies team members bring experience and expertise to the table for every project. Learn more about what our team has to offer.
Partner
Sullivan brings 30 years of a unique combination of policy, legislative and political experience to representation of the nation’s leading corporations and National Associations before Federal and State governmental entities. Sullivan has served in various leadership roles in the Democratic Party and with his broad background in both public policy and electoral politics; Sullivan has had tremendous success in representing corporate and business interests.
Strategic Partner
Ms. Missy Edwards, the founding principal of Missy Edwards Strategies, has more than two decades of professional experience in Washington, D.C. government relations, electoral politics, and public affairs. Ms. Edwards has significant experience crafting and executing government relations and communications strategies that have helped shape federal public policy over the past 20 years. She has successfully provided strategic policy guidance to some of the country’s top elected officials, corporations, and trade associations on a wide range of issues.
Our team
Sharon Martin
Sharon Martin is the Managing Director of Public Affairs for State Federal Strategies and has more than 20 years of communications, media and public affairs experience. Martin previously served as the Deputy Secretary for Public Affairs for the State of...
Darren Peters
Steve Rao
Steve S. Rao, a native of Charleston, West Virginia brings over a decade of proven leadership at the intersection of government, technology, and public policy. At State Federal Strategies, Steve advises technology companies on Sales and Business Development strategy for...
Doug Heyl
Bill Petty
Scott Freda
Scott Freda
Scott has 20 years experience working in the public affairs arena. Working on business development, lobbying, and financial and political management; Scott has represented law firms, corporations, labor unions and political campaigns.
Steve Rao
Steve S. Rao is a native of Charleston, West Virginia, and serves Of Counsel to State Federal Strategies. He advises technology companies on sales and business development strategy for state and local governments. He also works with companies offering artificial intelligence, data/analytics, contact tracing, managed services (contact centers) and cyber security services to state and local governments.
Doug Heyl
Doug Heyl has spent over thirty years creating strategic messaging for public affairs and political campaigns at the local, state, and federal level. Mr. Heyl has given strategic advice and produced award winning advertising for candidates, corporations, attorney groups, universities, nonprofits, and unions across the country.
Bill Petty
Bill Petty is a seasoned political strategist with over two decades’ experience in environmental advocacy, the private financial sector, and Presidential electoral politics.
Darren Peters
Darren Peters is the Founder and Managing Partner for the DC-based public affairs, event management and business development consulting firm, Peter Damon Group (PDG). A Washington DC veteran, Peters previously served as the Director of Federal Government Affairs for Entergy Corporation where he provided strategic advice on issues relating to tax/finance, cyber security and retirement pensions.
Sharon Martin
Sharon Martin has more than 20 years of communications, media, and public affairs experience. Martin served as the Deputy Secretary for Public Affairs for the State of North Carolina’s Department of Environmental Quality, leading strategic messaging on complex environmental issues. Prior to her time in public service, Martin honed her messaging and content skills as a journalist in local news, at CNN, and as executive producer of documentary television programs.