Nearly 40 Years Of Experience

Roger Bodman,

Managing Partner

Roger Bodman is widely respected for his depth of knowledge of state government and politics. He has served in gubernatorial cabinet posts, guided presidential campaigns in New Jersey, and appeared as a political commentator for NJTV, formerly New Jersey Network, for 4 decades.

Early in his career, Bodman served as district office manager for the late New Jersey Congresswoman Millicent Fenwick and as chief of staff for former New Jersey Congressman James Courter. In 1981, he was selected as manager of Tom Kean’s campaign for governor. Following Governor Kean’s victory, Bodman was named to two cabinet posts. As the State Commissioner of Labor, he implemented extensive legislative reforms of the unemployment insurance program. Later, as the State Commissioner of Transportation, he was the chief advisor to the governor on transportation matters. He also served as chairman of New Jersey Transit.

In 1987, Bodman was appointed by the governor to chair the Study Commission on Regulatory Efficiency, a role that earned him the Alliance for Action’s Eagle Award. In 1988, he served as vice chairman of the New Jersey Bush for President committee.

A native of Bernardsville, New Jersey, Bodman graduated cum laude from Ohio University in 1974 with a degree in political science. Bodman was also a visiting professor at Rutgers University’s Eagleton Institute of Politics.

Chris Trappe,

Associate

Christopher Trappe served in New Jersey State government for 34 years. Starting as a writer in Governor Tom Kean’s Office of Constituent Relations, he moved on to run the New Jersey General Assembly’s 34th Legislative District Office for seven years and later moved to the Department of the Treasury. Trappe’s Treasury service includes a decade as Chief of Staff at the Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services, a seven-year stretch as head of the Division of Taxation’s Management Services and six years as Program Manager for the Division of Purchase and Property’s NJSTART procurement system

Trappe has developed an expertise in technology systems and procurement. While at Treasury, he played a key role in the modernization of the State’s tax and remittance processing systems, infrastructure modernization, network upgrade and desktop support efficiency efforts. Trappe also shepherded the full activation of the State’s e-procurement system, in use by all state agencies.

Additionally, Trappe was responsible for managing the Statewide debt collection program known as SOIL and the Statewide Motor Vehicle Surcharge program.

A graduate of Rutgers University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in History, Trappe was inducted into Phi Alpha Theta National Honor Society for History and earned distinction completing the Henry Rutgers Honors program.

William Maer,

Senior Partner

William Maer is a well-respected lobbyist and onetime political operative with a career spanning more than 30 years. He was appointed to Governor Phil Murphy’s 2018 Transition Committee to advise the incoming Administration on State related policies. He served in several government positions, including aide to former Governor James Florio, chief of staff to Congressman William J. Pascrell, Jr., associate executive director of the Assembly Democratic Legislative Leadership Office, and senior political advisor to Governor Jon S. Corzine. Maer was a leading Democratic political consultant, having worked on dozens of campaigns at virtually every level of New Jersey politics. Currently, Maer serves as chief spokesman for the Passaic County Sheriff and serves as co-chair of the Democratic Governors Association National Finance Committee under chair, Governor Phil Murphy.

Appointed by two governors, Maer served on the New Jersey Building Authority, the Brookdale Community College Board of Trustees, and as a Democratic National Committee (DNC) member of the credential committee for the 2016 Democratic National Committee Convention.

Maer received his bachelor’s degree in government from Clark University in Massachusetts, and in 1990, he was granted a master’s degree in political science from Villanova University. In the last two decades, he has appeared on virtually every top power list, including:

PolitickerNJ’s Power List
ROI Influencer for Government Affairs
InsiderNJ Power List
New Jersey Globe Power List
NJ Cannabis Media’s Cannabis Policy Insiders

Tracie DeSarno,

Senior Partner

Tracie DeSarno, senior partner, has more than 3 decades of experience representing hospitals, major corporations, nonprofit groups, and associations, and municipal, county and state government in Trenton and Washington. At Public Strategies Impact, she is responsible for a broad range of issues, including healthcare, financial services, telecommunications, and entertainment. Throughout her career, she has successfully represented clients on major legislative initiatives and budget deliberations.

Ms. DeSarno has been with PSI for more than 30 years. She came to the firm from the New Jersey Institute of Technology, where she served as government affairs assistant to the president of New Jersey’s premier technology university. Previously, she had served as Director of Intergovernmental Affairs for Essex County, gaining invaluable experience in government operations from the municipal to federal level.

During her tenure with Essex County, she was the County Executive’s liaison to the State Legislature, state agencies and the 22 municipalities in the county. She was responsible for legislative initiatives at the state and federal level, and assisted in grant procurement and state budget analysis, successfully directing additional state funding to the county.

Ms. DeSarno is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Douglass College, Rutgers University, and holds a bachelor’s degree in political science and sociology. She has served as an elected member of the New Jersey Democratic State Committee, and as a member of the Union County College Board of Governors. She also served for years as a PTA president and executive board member in Union Township.

In 2008, the New Jersey Hemophilia Association recognized Ms. DeSarno as the recipient of its Congressman Dean A. Gallo Memorial Award for Distinguished Legislative Leadership.

Joseph DeSanctis,

Partner

Joseph DeSanctis, Partner, has extensive knowledge of the legislative and executive branches stemming from more than 30 years of advocacy on behalf of a diverse client base. He has advocated for clients in industries ranging from major corporations and government entities to trade organizations and professional associations. He has specialized knowledge in the areas of transportation, energy, and water systems, as well as environmental issues.

Mr. DeSanctis is considered an expert in project siting and has also represented many clients at the local level on various projects. These include commercial and residential developments, the siting of natural gas pipelines, and other energy-related projects throughout the State. Mr. DeSanctis has helped clients in developing a community relations plan, establishing contacts with key officials and stakeholders, and providing grassroots support. He has assisted in timely acquisition of State and local permits, along with coordinating other results-oriented solutions across various state agencies.

Mr. DeSanctis has served as Manager of Legislative and Regulatory Affairs for the New Jersey Society of Professional Engineers; on whose behalf he worked on legislative and regulatory issues and other matters affecting the engineering community’s permitting process and also served as the Executive Director of the New Jersey Society of Municipal Engineers.

Mr. DeSanctis holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science & Public Administration from Trenton State College.

Matthew Halpin,

Partner

Matthew Halpin joined Public Strategies Impact in 2001 after serving as manager of government relations for the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce. There, Matt was responsible for issue areas that included economic development, international trade, and corporate taxation. Coming from a large association, Mr. Halpin brings management skills as the head of the firm’s association management division.

Matt’s lobbying efforts at PSI span a variety of business issues for corporate clients and several trade associations. He is well known for his ability to handle complex issues and to deftly strategize on behalf of his clients. Matt brings a unique set of skills that allow him to not only be his client’s eyes and ears in the Capital, but he also prides himself on being well-versed in the intricacies of his clients’ interests so as to be an effective advocate.

Beyond traditional lobbying, Matt has also enjoyed participating on corporate teams to help manage the public affairs components of the overall project. Additionally, Matt contributes to our association management practice by serving as Executive Director for the NJ Society of Municipal Engineers, the American Institute of Architects of NJ, and the NJ Academy of Ophthalmology. Further, he has successfully completed numerous strategic planning sessions for both our corporate and association clients.

Mr. Halpin received a Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) from the Rutgers Business School with a concentration in Finance. He also has a bachelor’s degree in political science and economics from Rutgers College and is an associate of the Eagleton Institute of Politics.

Joshua Hodes,

Partner

Joshua Hodes, Partner, has more than 15 years’ experience representing various clients before the legislative and executive branches of New Jersey Government. During his career, Josh has represented a diverse client base ranging from Fortune 100 companies to New Jersey based nonprofits. At Public Strategies Impact, he is responsible for a broad range of issues, including education, energy, healthcare, and redevelopment work. Josh prides himself on his strong relationships with his clients, which enables him to become the most effective advocate on their behalf.

Previously, Josh served as Chief of Staff to the Assembly Majority Leader and as senior staff member of the Assembly Majority Office, advising the Assembly Democratic Caucus on public policy initiatives. As a former legislative staffer, Josh brings his experiences and knowledge of the statehouse to his daily advocacy work. Prior to joining the Assembly Majority Office, Josh served as an associate in government relations at Public Strategies Impact.

Josh is active in local, state, and national politics. In 2008, he served as a political advisor to the Hillary Clinton for President Campaign in New Jersey and was a member of the NJ Delegation at the 2008 Democratic National Convention in Denver, Colorado. Josh also served on the New Jersey Democratic State Committee’s Committee on Vacancies, which was responsible for selecting the New Jersey Electoral College members.

In 2016, Josh served as a member of the National Rules Committee for the Democratic National Committee in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Josh has served as a gubernatorial appointment to the New Jersey Educational Facilities Authority since 2010. He currently serves as Chairman for the Authority.

Josh received his bachelor’s degree from Rutgers College and a Master’s in Labor and Employment Relations from Rutgers University.

Edward Mount,

Partner

Edward Mount has more than 30 years of service in the public sector. He served as Assistant State Treasurer and Assistant Commissioner of the Department of Labor during the administration of former Governor Whitman. He also served as the first Chief Information Officer for the Department of Treasury and was Director of Systems and Communications for the New Jersey State Police. Mount brings extensive expertise to the firm in the areas of government IT marketing and government procurement practices.

Mount has an extensive information technology background and sat on the State of New Jersey Information Resources Management Commission, the Office of Information Technology Governing Board, and the State of New Jersey Information Technology Leadership team. He also served as a member of the U.S. Department of Labor Automation and Technology National Committee for the Interstate Conference of State Employment Agencies.

As Assistant State Treasurer, Mount was the Treasurer’s representative on various boards, including the New Jersey State Aquarium, the South Jersey Port Corporation, and the Governor’s Commission for the Preservation and Use of Ellis Island.

In addition to his experience at the state level, Mount was Mayor of Bordentown Township, Burlington County and served on the Township Committee for six years. He was appointed to the Executive Board, New Jersey State League of Municipalities and served on various committees.

Mount is a graduate of LeMoyne College in Syracuse, New York, where he received a bachelor’s degree in labor relations. He is a veteran of the United States Air Force.

Patrick Stewart,

Associate

Patrick Stewart worked in the state legislature for the Assembly Republican Majority office. During this time, he worked closely with legislators, forming policy, and helping educate assembly members on important issues. Stewart was responsible for staffing many assembly committees, including the budget, consumer affairs, regulated professions, and labor committees.

Stewart served as principal policy advisor to the Republican Majority Leadership and caucus on economic development, changing financial issues with the state budget and relaying needs from the business community.

A lobbyist since 2001, Stewart has worked on a broad range of issues for his clients. Working with larger and smaller clients, he uses his working knowledge of the legislature, state departments, and the Governor’s office to achieve the goal of the client.

He has developed a strong working knowledge of the insurance industry and labor arena, specifically dealing with workers compensation issues. Stewart handled other diverse clients in the pharmaceutical industry, manufacturing sector and temporary staffing industry.

Stewart is a 1996 graduate of Villanova University, where he earned his degree in political science.

Samantha Bender,

Associate

Samantha Bender is one of the newest lobbyists to join the Public Strategies Impact (PSI) firm. Bender is a lifelong New Jersey resident having grown up in Cape May and is currently residing in Burlington County. She graduated with a B.A in Political Science from Rider University in 2018. She has worked for multiple South Jersey Legislators including Senator Bob Andrzejczak, Assemblyman Bill Moen and Assemblywoman Carol Murphy. During her time as a staffer, she gained knowledge on a variety of issues such as: agriculture, tourism, and consumer protection, while also becoming an expert on the legislative process.

Bender worked for Governor Murphy for two years as a Senior Legislative Aide and gained expertise in education, higher education, transportation, and criminal justice. She also assisted the Murphy administration in passing legislation. Bender also acted as the Governor’s Legislative Affairs liaison to a bipartisan group of Legislators that represent South Jersey.

Alexis Bailey,

Associate

Alexis Bailey joined Public Strategies Impact in 2023 after serving as Vice President of Government Affairs for the New Jersey Business and Industry Association. While at NJBIA, she covered labor and employment, workforce development and insurance issues impacting the state’s business community. Prior to joining NJBIA, Alexis worked as a Legislative Research Associate for the Kaufman Zita Group and as a Government Affairs and Communications Consultant for the New Jersey Public Charter Schools Association.

Alexis has been recognized as a leader in New Jersey, being named to ROI-NJ’s ROI Influencers: Women in Business list in 2023, the ROI Influencers: People of Color list in 2022 and 2023, and InsiderNJ’s Millennials to Watch list in 2020. Alexis was recognized as a 50 Under 30 Honoree by the Meadowland’s Chamber of Commerce in 2023. She was also honored as a Phenomenal Woman Under 40 by the Girl Scouts of the Jersey Shore in 2022 and was named a Rising Star Award recipient by NJBIA in 2019.
Alexis is involved in her community as a member of the Toms River Zoning Board of Adjustments and Member-At-Large of the Girl Scouts of the Jersey Shore’s Board of Directors. She also serves on Rider University’s Broncs of the Last Decade alumni committee.

She graduated with summa cum laude honors from Rider University with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science.

Christina Goldstein,

Meeting and Events Manager

Christina Goldstein is an accomplished Association Management professional with a dynamic background in advertising, marketing, and events. With a passion for orchestrating flawless events and a knack for strategic communication, Christina brings a unique blend of creativity and organizational prowess to the realm of association management. Her journey began in the fast-paced world of advertising, where she honed their skills in brand promotion and messaging. Christina has an innate understanding of how to harness the power of digital platforms and solutions for event promotion and member engagement. With a reputation for turning visions into unforgettable experiences, Christina is the go-to professional for associations seeking to elevate their organization and events to new heights.

Stephanie McFarland,

Meeting and Events Manager

Stephanie McFarland is a skilled event professional who works tirelessly to bring impactful, memorable events to life for Associations throughout the Garden State. Stephanie possesses a unique ability to merge logistical precision with a deep understanding of the values and missions that drive the organizations she works with. Armed with a deep knowledge of New Jersey’s diverse landscape and venues, Stephanie ensures that every event she touches is uniquely tailored to their audience. With a commitment to excellence and deep respect for the unique needs of each association, Stephanie is an invaluable asset to the association management team bringing unique perspectives in advancing client satisfaction.

Meagan Rosina,

Consultant

Meagan Rosina has worked in the field of association management since 2009 and has worked with Public Strategies Impact since 2016. At PSI, Meagan is responsible for the event management of multiple associations as well as serving as a liaison between the board of directors and general membership. She holds a bachelor’s degree in marketing and management and a minor in international business from the University of Delaware in Newark, DE.

Kelly Biddle,

Membership Services Coordinator

Graduated from Trenton Central High School. Studied Business and Political Science at Stockton State College (now Stockton University). She worked for the New Jersey Department of Education and Educational Testing Services before coming to PSI. Raquelle is the Director of Membership Services and has been with Public Strategies Impact since March 1995. She handles prospective members, membership maintenance, retention, and list management.

Samantha Cathcart,

Administrative Assistant

Samantha is one of the newest members to join the PSI team. Her role at PSI is to assist the PSI Government Relations team with daily activities, meetings, scheduling, legislative and regulatory tracking reports, and any other tasks needed. Sam is a recent graduate of Middlesex College with an Associates degree in Liberal Arts and is working towards her Bachelor’s degree.

Nancy Sambucci,

Executive Assistant

Nancy has been with PSI for over 12 years and has over 3 decades of experience in administrative operations. Nancy leads the support for the Government Relations team by assisting and coordinating with daily activities, meetings, scheduling, legislative and regulatory tracking reports, and various other administrative responsibilities. Nancy also has a certificate in Human Resources Management from Middlesex College.