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Washington State Lobbying Team

Briahna Murray

State Lobbyist - Partner
Briahna Murray is a Partner in the firm and manages a team of consultants focused on Olympia lobb…
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Diana Carlen

State Lobbyist - Partner
Diana Carlen is a Partner and member of the firm’s Washington State Governmental Affairs Grou…

Josh Weiss

State Lobbyist - Partner

Josh Weiss is a Partner in the firm.  He has two decades of experience in government relations representing both…

Al Ralston

State Lobbyist - Partner
Al Ralston is a Partner in the firm. He joins the firm after serving two years as President of th…

Shelly Helder

State Lobbyist

Mrs. Helder joined the firm in 2015 as a Public Policy Assistant and quickly rose to the role of S…

Hanna Jones

State Lobbyist

Hanna has worked as a Governmental Relations consultant in various capacities at GTH-GA since 201…

Holly Cocci

State Lobbyist
Holly joined the firm in 2019 as an Assistant Governmental Relations Consultant. She supports the…

Annika Vaughn

State Lobbyist
Annika joined the firm as an intern in October of 2018. While finishing her studies at the Univer…

Sophie Doumit

State Lobbyist
Sophie joined the firm in November of 2020. She works on a team representing a variety of public …

Washington State SLED Market Development & Procurement Team

Mary Gould Mueller

Director, SLED Market Development & Procurement

Mary Gould Mueller serves as  Director of SLED Market Development & Procurement…

Washington State Congressional Delegation Lobbying Team

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Dale Learn

Managing Partner, Federal Affairs
Dale Learn manages the firm’s Washington, DC office. Dale has a wealth of high-level experien…

Dave Reichert

Senior Director, Federal Affairs
Former Congressman and King County Sheriff Dave Reichert brings nearly 50 years of public service…

Travis Lumpkin

Senior Director, Federal Affairs

Travis Lumpkin serves as a Vice President in the firm’s federal affairs group. Travis has more than sixteen years of exper…

Paul Hoover

Senior Government Relations Consultant
Paul Hoover is a Senior Government Affairs Consultant in the Washington, DC office. Paul has exte…

Washington State Senior Advisors Team

Tim Schellberg

President, GTH Consulting
Tim Schellberg is the Founder and President of Gordon Thomas Honeywell Governmental Affairs, an i…

Cindy Zehnder

Senior Advisor
Cindy’s in-depth knowledge of Washington State policy and politics has been built over her …

Jim Waldo

Senior Advisor

Jim was a partner at GTH law firm since 1980 and is now a Senior Advisor at GTH-GA. Governments a…

John Robinson

Senior Advisor
John Robinson is a regulatory and project strategist for development of energy, industrial, water…

Administration Team

Hallee Croce

Office Manager & Lobbying Compliance
Hallee Croce serves as firm office manager and Executive Assistant to Tim Schellberg. She also pr…
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Leslie Currie

Director of Finance , CPA (ret.)

Leslie serves as the Director of Finance and has been with the firm since 2013. Prior to beginning…

Briahna Murray

Partner - State Lobbyist
Briahna Murray is a Partner in the firm and manages a team of consultants focused on Olympia lobbying. For 15 years, Briahna has advocated on behalf of public agency and nonprofit clients to the Washington State Legislature and the State Executive Branch. Her clients have formally recognized her exceptional service, professionalism, responsiveness, and advocacy.
Briahna’s knowledge of public policy issues and her ability to strategically navigate Washington State government is an invaluable combination. Through her advocacy for public agencies, she has developed expertise in advocating for issues intersecting with state budgets, tax and finance, growth management, transportation, criminal justice, housing and human services, and more. Briahna is respected and well-liked by legislators from across the entire state of Washington and from both political parties.
Prior to joining Gordon Thomas Honeywell Governmental Affairs in 2006, Briahna served as legislative staff in the Washington State Senate and in 2005 was commissioned by the State Auditor to research and author a monograph titled A Citizens Advocate: History of the Washington State Auditor’s Office.
Briahna graduated cum laude from Seattle University School of Law, where she also served as a member of Seattle University Law Review. Briahna graduated summa cum laude from Pacific Lutheran University with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and English-Writing. She now lives in Tacoma, Washington.
Washington State Lobbying Team

Diana Carlen

Partner - State Lobbyist
Diana Carlen is a Partner and member of the firm’s Washington State Governmental Affairs Group. Diana primarily represents clients in Olympia focusing on legislative and executive lobbying. She specializes in advocating for public utilities and business clients.
Prior to joining Gordon Thomas Honeywell Governmental Affairs, Diana served as Leadership Counsel to the Washington State Senate Republican Caucus where as a member of the senior staff she advised caucus leadership on legal and legislative issues. In addition, she analyzed and drafted legislation for caucus members on issues involving the environment, energy, water, telecommunications, natural resources, agriculture, regulatory reform and land use. Prior to working for the Senate, Diana practiced law for several years focusing on land use and environmental issues and also served as a Law Clerk to Chief Justice Gerry Alexander of the Washington State Supreme Court. In recognition of her work, Diana has been selected as a “Rising Star” by Washington Law & Politics Magazine.
Diana graduated from Seattle University School of Law where she was a member of the Seattle University Law Review. Diana received her undergraduate degree in political science from Pepperdine University. Diana now lives in Tacoma with her husband.
Washington State Lobbying Team

Josh Weiss

Partner - State Lobbyist
Josh has two decades of experience in government relations representing both public and private entities in the legislative and executive branches of Washington State government. He is a respected advocate, trusted counselor, and skilled strategist. Josh has a deep knowledge of tax, finance, appropriations, employment, land use, natural resources, and public safety issues and over his career has secured millions of dollars in funding and successfully advocated for the passage and defeat of numerous bills. He is an experienced coalition builder and advocacy campaign manager.
Prior to joining the GTH-GA team, Josh spent nearly 10 years advocating for counties, serving as the Legislative Relations and Policy Director and General Counsel for the Washington State Association of Counties. Josh started working in Olympia in 1998 as nonpartisan counsel to the House of Representatives and served as Legislative Director for the Department of Fish and Wildlife. As Environmental Policy Director for the Washington Forest Protection Association he represented private forest landowners in the state’s environmental regulatory system. He also assisted in Governor Locke’s water reform efforts. Josh is a member of the Washington State Bar Association, graduate of Central Washington University and the Vermont Law School, and is a fourth generation Washingtonian. He lives in Olympia with his wife Karen.
Washington State Lobbying Team

Al Ralston

Partner - State Lobbyist
Al Ralston is a Partner in the firm. He joins the firm after serving two years as President of the Washington Research Council, Washington State’s premier public policy research organization. With nearly 40 years of lobbying and public policy experience at the federal, state, and local government level, Al’s network of relationships and knowledge base on issues is unprecedented.
Al’s career is best defined by his 21 successful years as the Senior Political Strategist, Corporate Leader, and Lead Lobbyist for the Boeing Company. Between 1986 and 2007, Al organized and implemented winning government relations strategies for Boeing. In this role, Al worked at all levels of government: local, state, federal and foreign. His accomplishments are many, including being the lead lobbyist on the aerospace incentive legislation, which resulted in having the 787 “Dreamliner” program located in Washington State.
Prior to working for Boeing, Al served as the Senior Representative for Government Relations of Blue Cross of Washington and Alaska, the Director of Intergovernmental Relations for the City of Seattle, the Program Development Director for the National Indian Activities Association and a Research Analyst for the Washington State House of Representatives. In these positions, Al has gained an in-depth understanding of transportation infrastructure, banking and finance, the general business climate, aerospace, trade, and more.
Active in Civic and Community Affairs, Al has served on the Boards of the Association of Washington Business, Washington Research Council, Washington Council on International Trade, Associated Oregon Industries, Pacific Northwest International Trade Alliance, Highline Community College Foundation, the Youth and Government program of the YMCA, and the Western Washington University Alumni Association and Foundation. Al received a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Western Washington University. Al lives with his wife and two daughters in Renton.
Washington State Lobbying Team
360.209.3338

shelder@gth-gov.com

Shelly Helder

State Lobbyist
Ms. Helder joined the firm in 2015 as a Public Policy Assistant and quickly rose to the role of Senior Governmental Relations Consultant. She is a successful on the ground lobbyist and has experience working in a bi-partisan fashion to develop unique solutions, tailored to individual client needs. Ms. Helder focuses on the firm’s local government, transportation, and nonprofit clients.
Prior to joining the firm, Ms. Helder served as an Executive Assistant at Young and Associates Financial Advisors and as the Economic Development Assistant at the Lawton-Ft. Sill Chamber of Commerce. Most recently, Ms. Helder worked at State Farm Insurance Companies. She has experience dealing with state and local governments and agencies and brings a strong network of legislative connections to the firm.
Ms. Helder graduated cum laude from Westmont College with a Bachelor of Arts in Business/Economics and currently resides in DuPont, Washington.
Washington State Lobbying Team

Hanna Jones

State Lobbyist
Hanna has worked as a Governmental Relations consultant in various capacities at GTH-GA since 2016. Hanna serves on the firm’s International Public Affairs team, specializing in DNA policy. She currently works with a State Department-sponsored grant, advocating for public policy solutions involving DNA technology to identify missing persons and reunite them with their families, and to prevent human trafficking. In this project, Hanna has served in the position of Regional Manager for Public Policy and Legislation in El Salvador and Costa Rica since 2018. In addition, Hanna works with the private DNA industry to advance government affairs strategies, public policy and outreach in Europe.
At the Washington State Legislature, Hanna provides legislative consultation, strategy development and advocacy as a contract lobbyist. She specializes in transportation and technology public policy issues. Hanna has worked with firm clients with diverse sets of issues, including health care, technology, transportation, budget appropriations, and local government issues. Hanna has demonstrated a successful track record in assisting firm clients with development and execution of legislative strategy. She has been successful in securing millions in legislative budget appropriations for her clients and in executing creative public policy solutions to achieve client objectives.
Hanna holds a master’s degree in Public Administration from Seattle University, a bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Spanish from Gonzaga University, and resides in Seattle, Washington.
Washington State Lobbying Team

Holly Cocci

State Lobbyist
Holly joined the firm in 2019 as an Assistant Governmental Relations Consultant. She supports the Olympia lobbying team in advocating for city and county clients. Holly assists in report writing, document preparation, policy research, bill tracking, and other activities to support the team.
Prior to joining the firm, Holly worked for the Washington State Senate as a Legislative Assistant. During her time in the Senate, Holly facilitated and coordinated communications between legislators, state officials, staff, agency personnel, stakeholders and constituents in the development of legislation. During the interim in 2018, Holly was chosen to serve on the Senate staff taskforce, which assisted in creating the new Senate Discrimination Policy.
During her time as an undergraduate at Washington State University, Holly was selected to intern for the Washington State Senate during the 2016 session. Holly graduated from Washington State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and a minor in Criminal Justice. She currently resides in Gig Harbor, WA.
Washington State Lobbying Team

Annika Vaughn

State Lobbyist
Annika joined the firm as an intern in October of 2018. While finishing her studies at the University of Washington, Annika assisted the team with a variety of administrative tasks and preparation for the forthcoming legislative session. During the 2019 legislative session, Annika worked with the team as a legislative intern, providing support for bill tracking, policy research, report writing, client coordination, document preparation, and more. Annika joined the firm full time in June of 2019 and now works as an Assistant Governmental Relations Consultant for local government clients.
Annika graduated cum laude from the University of Washington in 2019 with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science. She currently resides in Seattle, Washington.
Washington State Lobbying Team

Sophie Doumit

State Lobbyist
Prior to joining the firm, Sophie spent four years working for U.S. Congressman Denny Heck in several roles, including as his Political Director and Campaign Manager. Most recently, Sophie served as the Government Affairs Manager for the Washington State Dental Association. At the Association she researched, analyzed and advocated on legislative and regulatory issues related to healthcare and small business.
Sophie received her Masters of Arts in Strategic Communication from Washington State University in 2018 and her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science From Occidental College in 2015. She currently resides in Tacoma, Washington.
Washington State Lobbying Team

Mary Gould Mueller

Director SLED Market Development & Procurement

Mary Gould Mueller serves as the Director of the SLED Market Development & Procurement team, specializing in market development and procurement support for clients seeking to develop or deepen strategic partnerships with federal, state, local and educational agencies (SLED). Mary leverages nearly twenty years of experience within Washington State agencies, boards and commissions to identify market development opportunities and help clients navigate complex procurement processes.

Most recently, Mary served as Chief Information Officer (CIO) at the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board (WSLCB) and board member of the state’s Information Professional Management Association (IPMA). Prior to her service with WSLCB, Mary served as Director of Contracts and Procurement as well as Deputy CIO for the Washington State Employment Security Department (ESD). Other key roles include Customer Account Manager for Washington Technology Solutions (WaTech), Constituent Relations Manager for Secretary of State Sam Reed, Consumer Protection Outreach and Education Coordinator for Attorney General Rob McKenna, and as a Legislative Assistant to the Chair of the Senate Ways and Means Committee.

SLED Market Development & Procurement Team

Dale Learn

Managing Partner, Federal Affairs
Dale Learn manages the firm’s Washington, DC office. Dale has a wealth of high-level experience in federal legislative and administrative matters. Prior to joining the firm, Dale spent over six years as senior advisor to U.S. Senator Patty Murray (WA), including being chief legal advisor, and two years as senior advisor to U.S. Representative Adam Smith (WA-09). With numerous accomplishments on federal legislative and administrative matters, Dale offers our clients an extensive background and knowledge of the federal system. His contacts and experience with Capitol Hill and the Executive Branch provide access and unparalleled advice regarding federal governmental issues. With now over 15 years in the private sector, Dale has been highly successful at meeting and surpassing our clients’ goals.
A native of the Pacific Northwest, Dale received his undergraduate degree from the University of Washington and his Juris Doctorate from the University of Maryland School of Law. He is an active member of the Washington State Bar Association. Dale now lives in the District of Columbia.

Federal Delegation Lobbying

Senior Director, Federal Affairs
Former Congressman and King County Sheriff Dave Reichert brings nearly 50 years of public service experience to GTH-GA. Dave is in Federal Delegation lobbying team , advising clients on many issues, with an emphasis on public safety and trade.
Prior to joining the firm, Dave served fourteen years as a member of the United States Congress representing Washington State’s 8th Congressional District (2005 – 2018). While in Congress, Dave was a member of the House Ways and Means Committee and Chairman of the Subcommittee on Trade. Earlier in his congressional career, Dave was a member of the House Homeland Security Committee and Chaired the Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness.
Dave began his public service career as a member of the U.S. Air Force Reserves before joining the King County Sheriff’s Office. His 33-year law enforcement career at the King County Sheriff’s Office culminated in Dave’s service as the elected sheriff, leading the 1,100-person organization for eight years. For a significant portion of his law enforcement career, he worked as the lead investigator on the Green River serial killer case in which 49 young women were murdered during the 1980s – the most prolific serial murder case in U.S. history. While serving as Sheriff, Dave reopened the investigation in 2001, allowing advances in DNA technology to identify the killer and solve the case.
While Sheriff, Dave established himself as a leading voice against domestic violence. In 2004, he received the prestigious National Sheriffs’ Association’s “Sheriff of the Year” award. He is a two-time Medal of Valor Award recipient from the King County Sheriff’s Office and was honored with the Washington Policy Center’s Champion of Freedom Award.
Dave and his wife Julie live in Auburn, Washington. They have three grown children and six grandchildren.

Travis Lumpkin

Senior Director

Travis Lumpkin serves as a Senior Director in the firm’s federal affairs group.

Travis has more than sixteen years of experience in Washington, D.C. including serving more than fourteen years on Capitol Hill. He brings a unique combination of management, business, policy and communications experience to the firm.
Most recently, Travis spent four years as Chief of Staff to U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell. In that role, he led a team of more than 50 professional staff and oversaw all aspects of the Senator’s day-to-day operations, including legislative strategy and policy work.
From 2012 to 2014, Travis was a Vice President and Principal with GTH-GA helping a diverse group of private and public sector clients craft and execute on successful federal legislative and communications campaigns.
Travis served as Senior Economic Advisor to U.S. Senator Patty Murray from 2007 to 2012, including during the 2008 financial crisis and recovery. Prior to that, Travis served for nearly three years as a Senior Policy Advisor to U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell. Travis started his career in 2003 in the U.S. House of Representatives, serving on the staff of U.S. Representative Rick Larsen.
Travis competed his undergraduate work at Washington State University in 2003 earning dual degrees in Political Science and Economics.

Paul Hoover

Senior Governmental Affairs Consultant
Paul Hoover is a Senior Government Affairs Consultant in the Washington, DC office. Paul has extensive experience developing federal policy and navigating congressional processes on a diverse range of issues. His expertise includes transportation and infrastructure, energy, natural resources, community development, Army Corps, finance, and tribal affairs.
Paul joins the firm after serving seven years as a Senior Advisor to U.S. Congressman Adam Smith. Prior to his time in Congressman Smith’s office, Paul worked for several grassroots and campaign organizations. In those capacities, Paul became a national expert in many critical federal funding and policy areas. Paul is well known and respected for his policy expertise, legislative accomplishments, and his ability to provide creative solutions. As a member of Congressman Smith’s senior staff, he advised on a broad range of domestic energy and natural resource issues in the National Defense Authorization Act, including legislation to normalize taxes for utilities, alternative energy procurement across the Department of Defense, and regulatory standards for military installations. Paul’s extensive tenure on Capitol Hill and his collaboration with Members and their staff enhance the comprehensive and high-quality representation of our clients.
Paul is a native of the Pacific Northwest and completed his undergraduate work at Gonzaga University, earning a degree in Political Science and Philosophy. Paul is an active member of the Washington State Society and currently resides in the District of Columbia.

Tim Schellberg

President, GTH Consulting

Tim Schellberg is the Founder and President of GTH Consulting and serves as the General Manager of GTH DNA, a GTH Consulting Company. Tim provides business management and strategic direction to all GTH Consulting companies.

As General Manager of GTH DNA, Tim uses nearly 25 years of forensic DNA experience to manage a team of 17 people committed to advancing forensic DNA policies and projects globally. Tim is internationally recognized for his work in developing forensic DNA legislation and policy.  Tim has advised over 60 countries during their efforts to establish or expand national DNA database programs

Tim received his undergraduate degree from Washington State University in 1988 and his law degree from Seattle University in 1991. Upon graduating from law school, Tim served as a legal advisor and legislative liaison to the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs. From 1994-2006, Tim was a partner at the law firm of Smith Alling, PS.  Tim continues to serve as a senior advisor to the Gordon Thomas Honeywell Government Relations firm, a GTH Consulting company.

Cindy Zehnder

Senior Advisor
Cindy’s in-depth knowledge of Washington State policy and politics has been built over her 30-year career in public affairs. She has extensive negotiation experience in public and private sectors and is adept at managing public relations, stakeholder outreach, and communications strategies for organizations.
Prior to joining the firm, Cindy served as Chief of Staff to Governor Chris Gregoire where she provided leadership to the senior staff and managed the Governor’s Office operations, including legislative relations, policy development, budget, communications, crisis management, and constituent relations. She was directly responsible for the twenty-seven executive cabinet agencies and chaired the Natural Resources and Economic Recovery Subcabinets as well as the senior transportation policy group. From 2003 to 2007, Cindy was the CEO of Washington State’s public affairs network, TVW, which televises all major legislative, executive branch, and Supreme Court proceedings. For five sessions prior to that, Cindy served as Chief Clerk of the Washington State House of Representatives where she was responsible for all legislative operations.
Cindy began her career as a truck driver and dockworker followed by a number of leadership positions within the Teamsters union, including International Representative, Coordinator of the Washington Joint Council of Teamsters; and Secretary-Treasurer and Principle Officer of the Freight, Tanker, and Carhaul Drivers in King County. Cindy has a long history of community involvement including participation in the University of Washington Board of Regents, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, the Ruckelshaus Center, WSU Tri Cities, Washington State Workforce Board, and UW Tacoma. She has served on the executive board of the National Caucus of State Legislatures, the Trust for Representative Democracy, the NCSL Foundation Board, the National Association of Clerks and Secretaries, and the National Association of Public Affairs Networks. Cindy received a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in educational psychology from the University of Washington. She lives in Olympia with her husband, Mike Branstetter.
Senior Advisors Team

Jim Waldo

Senior Advisor

Jim was a partner at GTH law firm since 1980 and is now a Senior Advisor at GTH-GA. Governments and businesses retain Jim to provide strategic advice, and assistance in complex negotiations. Often this involves project permitting and implementation in challenging situations. His primary areas of focus have been natural resources, forestry, water, energy and transportation. He has also successfully accomplished mediation of these issues with a special emphasis on issues involving Indian tribes. His commitment to the environment extends to his life outside the office. In addition to serving as chair of the board of Urban Waters, he is a member of the advisory board of the Ruckelshaus Center for Public Policy. He also serves on the Advisory Board of the University of Washington Tacoma.

Senior Advisors Team

John Robinson

Senior Advisor
John Robinson is a regulatory and project strategist for development of energy, industrial, water supply and infrastructure projects. Over the past 45 years he has been involved in site selection and acquisition, licensing, permitting, environmental planning, impact analysis and NEPA, State Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA), and California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) environmental documentation. He has managed, provided technical direction and prepared technical analyses for Environmental Impact Statements and Environmental Assessments under NEPA and various state environmental review statutes.
Proposed projects for which he has prepared environmental documentation include a broad range of industrial, energy (power plants, transmission lines, and pipelines), oil and gas, mining and hydroelectric projects. Trained as an architect, structural engineer and economist, he holds a Bachelor of Architecture degree from California State Polytechnic University (1971) and undertook graduate studies in Urban Design and Economics at UCLA (1973).
Senior Advisors Team

Hallee Croce

Office Manager & Lobbying Compliance
Hallee Croce serves as firm office manager and Executive Assistant to Tim Schellberg. She also provides general support to the Governmental Affairs practice group and is the primary point of contact for staff and clients. Additionally, Hallee is in charge of firm scheduling and events, including organizing political fundraisers. Hallee has over 20 years of experience working as a business professional. Prior to joining the firm, Hallee worked as a paralegal and as a human resource consultant for the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services. Hallee lives in Tacoma, Washington.
Administrative Team

Leslie Currie

Director of Finance, CPA (Ret.)

Leslie serves as the Director of Finance and has been with the firm since 2013.  Prior to beginning her “semi” retirement, she had over 30 years of experience as the managing partner in Currie & McLain, P.S., a local CPA firm in Vancouver, Washington.  Leslie oversees development and management of the firm’s multiple budgets, as well as the internal accounting functions. 

 

Leslie graduated from the University of Portland with her bachelor’s degree in accounting and has served on multiple non-profit boards in various capacities over the years.   She also was a co-owner with her brother of a convenience store/gas station for 30 years which gave her invaluable experience for helping her clients with internal and practical issues.  Leslie lives with her husband and 2 dog daughters in Woodland, Washington.

Administrative Team