You may know PSI as a top lobbying firm in Trenton, but do you know anything about the people who make up our team? We asked each of our partners and associates to answer some fun questions, so you can get to know them better. Check it out below:
Roger Bodman, Managing Partner
Hometown: Bernardsville, N.J.
Fun-Fact: Appointed in 1982 by Governor Thomas Kean, I was the youngest New Jersey Department of Labor Commissioner at age 29
Awards: “Good Guy” Award, Women’s Political Caucus of New Jersey; PolitickerNJ Power List; NJBIZ Power List; Eagle Award, New Jersey Alliance for Action
Education: Ohio University, cum laude
Favorite Food: Cheeseburgers
Hobbies: Golf, boating, and restoring old vehicles
Bill Maer, Senior Partner
Hometown: Teaneck, but currently living in Manasquan, N.J.
Fun-Fact: During college, I had my first full-time campaign job as field organizer for Massachusetts Governor Mike Dukakis’s 1988 Presidential National Campaign. I covered six states, starting in the early primary of New Hampshire and ending on Election Day in Ohio.
Awards: PolitickerNJ Power List since its inception; appointed by two governors to the Brookdale Community College Board of Trustees and the New Jersey Building Authority
Education: Clark University, bachelor’s degree in government; Villanova University, master’s degree in political science
Favorite Food: Clifton’s famous Rut’s Hut’s “Ripper” Hot Dog
Hobbies: Politics, cooking, drinking coffee, traveling, swimming, and playing Skee Ball with my daughter
Joe Simonetta, Senior Partner
Hometown: New Hope, Pa.
Fun-Fact: I was the youngest Executive Director of the New Jersey Conference of Mayors at age 26
Awards: Association Executive of the Year, 1991 New Jersey Society of Association Executive
Education: Mount Saint Mary’s College, Bachelor of Arts, Bachelors of Science
Favorite Food: Pasta of any kind
Hobbies: Golf, boating, travel, and cooking
Joe DeSanctis, Partner
Hometown: Trenton, currently living in Newtown, Pa.
Fun-Fact: When I was 13 years old, I scored 51 points in a basketball game. I also enjoy playing golf and had two hole-in-ones.
Education: Trenton State College, bachelor’s degree in political science/public administration
Favorite Food: Most food items that begin with the letter “P”, such as pizza, pasta, and polenta
Hobbies: Golf, attending car shows, watching college football, and vacationing with the family
Tracie DeSarno, Partner
Hometown: Union, N.J.
Fun-Fact: I worked for the first elected County Executive in Essex County. During that time, I met my husband who was working for Senator Bill Bradley.
Awards: Dean A. Gallo Award for Distinguished Legislative Leadership, Hemophilia Association of New Jersey; New Jersey Women’s Power List; Vlunter Services Award, D.A.R.E New Jersey
Education: Douglass College, Rutgers University, magna cum laude
Favorite Food: Eggplant parmigiana
Hobbies: Reading anytime anywhere, but especially on the beach!
Matt Halpin, Partner
Hometown: Robbinsville, N.J.
Fun-Fact: I am an Eagles season ticket holder
Awards: Distinguished Service Award, New Jersey Society of Municipal Engineers; Golden Sneaker Award, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation
Education: Rutgers University, MBA in finance; Rutgers University, bachelor’s degree in political science; Eagleton Institute of Politics, Associate
Favorite Food: Steak and potatoes
Hobbies: Coaching youth sports, golf, and Golden Dome softball league
Josh Hodes, Partner
Hometown: Sea Girt, N.J.
Fun-Fact: I served as a member of the Rules Committee at the Democratic National Convention
Interests: Serving on the Advisory Board of the New Jersey New Leaders Council and as Chairman of the New Jersey Educational Facilities Authority
Education: Rutgers University, Bachelor of Science; Rutgers University, master’s degree in labor and employment relations
Favorite Food: Chocolate chip cookies
Hobbies: Spending time with my family and jogging at the Jersey Shore
Ed Mount, Partner
Hometown: Syracuse, N.Y.
Fun-Fact: I love Hilton Head Island in South Carolina
Awards: Governor’s Proclamation for Excellence in Government, Governor’s Award for Management Improvement, Ellis Island Preservation Commission Award
Education: LeMoyne College, bachelor’s degree in labor relations; United States Air Force Electronics School
Favorite Food: Chocolate chip cookies
Hobbies: Travel, golf, and the gym
John Holub, Associate
Hometown: Robbinsville, N.J.
Fun-Fact: I was the off-stage announcer who introduced Governor Christie Whitman at countless events, including the Inauguration, Inaugural Ball, and Capital Dome Rededication
Awards: Winner in PolitickerNJ’s Winner & Losers Feature, noted to have “mastered the inside game”
Education: Syracuse University, bachelor’s degree in political science
Favorite Food: De Lorenzo’s tomato pies
Hobbies: Anything with my two children and following Syracuse basketball, football and lacrosse
Patrick Stewart, Associate
Hometown: Voorhees, N.J.
Fun Fact: My father, H. Donald Stewart, was elected to the New Jersey Assembly from 1972 to 1982. He represented the third legislative district of Cumberland, Salem, and Gloucester Counties.
Awards: Father of the Year, presented by my three children Emily, Ryan, and Alexandra
Education: Villanova University
Favorite Food: Cheesesteaks
Hobbies: Going to sporting events with my family and summers at the Jersey Shore
Do you have anything in common with any of our partners or associates? Let us know. Want to learn more about each of our team members? Check out our team page. If you’re interested in learning more about how we’ve become a top lobbying firm in Trenton, check out this page.