Our Team

Specialties: Transportation

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 more than 35 years.

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.

Specialties: Business issues, cannabis, gaming, pharmaceuticals, transportation, nonprofits, covid19 related issues.

As a top democratic strategist, William Maer is a well-respected lobbyist and 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 polices. 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 advisor to Governor Jon S. Corzine and Senate Majority Leader Loretta Weinberg’s 2009 statewide campaign. 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 every top power list, including:

• PolitickerNJ’s Power List
• InsiderNJ Power List
• New Jersey Globe Power List
• NJ Cannabis Media’s Cannabis Policy Insiders

Specialties: Association management, healthcare, professional services, arts, hospitality, and tourism

Joseph Simonetta, who joined the firm in 1991, has worked in political advocacy and association management for nearly 40 years, starting with his first role as campaign chairman for the Mayor of Phillipsburg in 1973 and chair of volunteers for Congresswoman Helen Meyner in 1974. A member of the Democratic Party, he served as legislative director, followed by chief of staff, at the mayor’s office in Trenton and legislative liaison for Assemblyman Francis McMannimon and Assemblywoman Helen Szabo.

Considered an expert in public policy and legislation, Simonetta was appointed chair of the Advocacy Committee of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) IgCC Task Force in 2012 and currently chairs the Advocacy Subcommittee, creating a strategy for the AIA’s state and local components. Simonetta has received awards for his success in association management, including Association Executive of the Year and the 1991 New Jersey Society of Association Executive.

Simonetta has earned the designation of Certified Association Executive, the highest certification in the association management field. He holds bachelor’s degrees in business and political science from Mount St. Mary’s College in Emmitsburg, Maryland.

Specialties: Energy, utilities, and local government outreach

Joseph DeSanctis, Partner, has extensive knowledge of the legislative and executive branches stemming from more than 25 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 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 provide 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.

Specialties: Healthcare, hospitals, utilities, and banking

Tracie DeSarno, partner, has more than 30 years’ experience representing major corporations, institutions, 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 25 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 served nearly 10 years 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.

Specialties: Energy, Finance, Healthcare, Sports & Entertainment, Economic Development, Death-care, and Municipal Government

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 along with government relations experience that complements 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 of both the New Jersey Society of Municipal Engineers 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. In Matt’s spare time he enjoys coaching his two children and playing in the Golden Dome Softball League for the New Jersey Senate team.

Specialties: Business, education, energy, entertainment, healthcare and redevelopment

Joshua Hodes, is a Partner at Public Strategies Impact, a government relations, public affairs and association management firm located in Trenton, NJ. Previously, Mr. Hodes 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. Prior to joining the Assembly Majority Office, Mr. Hodes served as an associate in government relations at Public Strategies Impact.

Mr. Hodes 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 as a page at the 2008 Democratic National Convention. Mr. Hodes 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, Mr. Hodes served as a member of the Rules Committee for the Democratic National Committee.

Mr. Hodes serves as a gubernatorial appointment to the New Jersey Educational Facilities Authority. He currently serves as Chairman for the Authority.

In addition, Mr. Hodes serves as the Democratic Municipal Chair of Sea Girt. He also serves as an Advisory Board Member to the New Leaders Council of New Jersey. The mission of the New Leaders Council (NLC) is to train and support the next generation of progressive political entrepreneurs.

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

Specialties: Procurement and state government purchasing

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 Jersey, where he received a bachelor’s degree in Labor Relations. He is a veteran of the United States Air Force.

Specialties: Association management, healthcare, and engineering

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.

In October 2014, Lou Goetting and his firm NJ Advisors, specializing in public policy consulting services for both public and private clients, formed a strategic partnership with PSI. Goetting has nearly 45 years of experience in executive level service in municipalities, higher education, and state government.

Goetting’s government experience includes serving as Governor Chris Christie’s deputy chief of staff and cabinet secretary, where he was the point person on the state budget and department performance issues for the Governor’s Office. He also was a member of the Governor Whitman administration, holding the titles of assistant state treasurer and deputy state treasurer; administrator of three New Jersey communities for 20 years; commissioner for the Public Employment Relations Commission; and chair of the New Jersey Pension and Benefits Review Commission. Currently, Lou is a Board Member of NJ Economic Development Authority.

Additional experience includes working as the vice president of administration of the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey and executive vice president of administration at Brookdale Community College. Goetting currently lives in Ocean County with his family.

Brendan Gill and his firm the BGill Group, a full-service public affairs and consulting firm, formed a partnership with PSI in November 2017. Gill has more than 20 years of experience in campaign management, government, and public affairs.

Gill’s previous government experience includes serving as state director for U.S. Senator Frank Lautenberg, senior advisor to U.S. Senator Cory Booker, district director for U.S. Congressmen Bill Pascrell and Steve Rothman, chief of staff to Assemblyman Peter Eagler, and communications director for the New Jersey Department of Transportation under two commissioners. Gill was elected to the Essex County Board of Freeholders in 2011 and reelected as free-holder in 2014 and 2017.

In addition to his government roles, Gill has extensive campaign experience. He served as campaign manager for Governor-Elect Phil Murphy in 2017, Senator Frank Lautenberg in 2009, and Cory Booker in 2014. He has also held campaign positions at virtually every level of government, including for former Governor Jon Corzine and Congress-man Albio Sires.

Gill currently serves on the board of the Montclair High School All Class Reunion, New Jersey State Bike and Walk Coalition, and Seton Hall University Alumni Board of Directors. He is a member of the Ancient Order of Hibernians and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People and the municipal democratic chair in Mont-clair, New Jersey. Gill has been recognized for his leadership and public service, being selected to the 2017 NJBIZ Power 100 and 2008 PolitickerNJ Power List. He was named 2016 Political Operative of the Year and a New Jersey Rising Star of Asbury Park and has received awards from the New Jersey Department of Transportation and Blue Wave New Jersey.

A lifelong resident of Essex County, Gill attended Montclair Public Schools and graduated magna cum laude from Seton Hall University with a bachelor’s degree in political science. He currently resides in Montclair with his wife and two children.