PSI Team Member Fun Facts

July 25, 2019

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.

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