OUR TEAM

Francis X. McMahon, Esq. / President
The founder of Advocacy Solutions, Frank heads our Government Relations practice with particular expertise in ally development, grassroots and grasstops coalition building, and online advocacy. Major industries represented include telecommunications, utilities and health care.  Frank's career includes stints as a staff member and advisor on many winning political campaigns, and during Rhode Island Governor Bruce Sundlun's administration, he served as Special Counsel and Deputy Chief of Staff.   

An avid Friar Basketball fan, Frank is a graduate of Providence College, Suffolk University Law School, and a member of the Rhode Island State and Federal Bar Association, Frank lives with his wife and three children in Barrington, Rhode Island.

 

Jeff Taylor, Esq. / MANAGING DIRECTOR of Government Relations

Jeff utilizes his policy expertise and public sector experience when advising clients on how to develop an effective government relations strategy.  This balanced approach has proved successful for national clients such as Verizon and Progressive, and local companies such as Delta Dental and National Grid. 

Jeff's experience includes serving as a policy assistant for the Rhode Island State Senate, Director of Legislation for Lieutenant Governor Charles J. Fogarty and before coming to Advocacy Solutions, Jeff was the Director of Government Relations for Rhode Island’s largest health insurer, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Rhode Island.

Jeff earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Fairfield University in 1994 and his Juris Doctorate degree from Suffolk University Law School in 2002.

 

Christopher Hunter / managing Director of Grassroots and Electronic Advocacy
A nationally recognized expert on Internet privacy and free speech issues, Chris joined Advocacy Solutions after five years as a public policy researcher at the Annenberg School for Communication at the University of Pennsylvania.  Today, Chris runs several Advocacy Solutions issue campaigns and is responsible for coalition building and electronic advocacy activities. He has testified before Congress on the safety of the Internet for children and has been quoted in The New York Times, The Boston Globe, Interactive Week, and major academic journals. His areas of expertise also include telecommunications policy, financial services and health care.

Chris holds a BA from Boston College and an MA from the University of Pennsylvania.

 

ARIANNE M. LYNCH / MANAGING DIRECTOR of PUBLIC AFFAIRS

With expertise in government relations, strategic communications, and grassroots advocacy Arianne leads the development and implementation of integrated public affairs strategies for a range of clients and causes.

Prior to joining the team at Advocacy Solutions Arianne led the state relations and campaigns practice at Clarendon Group. She also served as the director of recruitment and clinical education for the Central Rhode Island Area Health Education Center and as grassroots advocacy coordinator for the American Cancer Society's Rhode Island office. Arianne was the community street team leader for Rock the Vote in Rhode Island and Connecticut prior to and during the 2004 election season, and has also worked as the public education coordinator for a small consulting firm in northeast Connecticut.

Arianne is a member of the board of directors at the Sophia Academy and received her B.A. in Political Science with a Minor degree in History from the University of Connecticut.

 

LIZ WHITE / MANAGER OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS AND POLICY COMMUNICATIONS

Liz develops and manages integrated public affairs strategies for a range of clients and causes.  She provides communications support to the account team and clients through issue research and analysis, media monitoring and environmental scanning, and development and production of communications materials.   Liz also provides crisis communications and government relations support to clients in the healthcare, education, social services, and housing sectors.

Prior to her role in public affairs, Liz was a Legislative Analyst for Advocacy Solutions’ State Relations division, acting as a consultant to statewide associations, including nonprofits, trade groups, coalitions, and professional associations.  She also served as a Government Relations and Communications Assistant at the Hospital Association of Rhode Island, and as a volunteer Spanish translator at the Providence Community Health Centers.

Liz holds a B.S. in Health Policy and Management and a B.A. in Spanish from Providence College.

 

TYLER ROWLEY / MANAGER OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS and MEDIA STRATEGIES

Tyler develops campaigns that achieve results for Fortune 100 companies, high-profile nonprofit organizations and public agencies.  He specializes in brand development, social media, web 2.0, reputation management and strategic community relations. 

His clients include Wal-Mart, National Grid, Protect Your Circle and Save the Bay. 

He holds a B.A. in Political Science and a Minor in History from Brown University.

 

KATE NAGLE / Manager of Grassroots and Electronic Advocacy

Kate graduated from Harvard University in 2001 with a B.A. in Government, Cum Laude. She then joined the Office of Senator Lincoln Chafee in Washington, D.C. where she was a Legislative Correspondent for four years, focusing on such issues as labor, taxes, social security, and healthcare. Prior to joining Advocacy Solutions, Kate was at RIMES (Rhode Island Manufacturers Extension Services) as Network Coordinator for the Grassroots Leadership Coalition, which worked on business and education collaboration, workforce development, and community outreach.

A Rhode Island native and Barrington High School graduate, Kate is active in the community with Big Sisters and the PKL (Providence Kickball League).

 

Michael F. Ryan, Jr / Analyst OF Government Relations

Mike assists in the development and execution of comprehensive lobbying strategies for a wide variety of government relations clients. 

Specializing in policy research and analysis, legislative tracking, legislative strategy and drafting testimony, Mike ensures that the client’s interests are well-represented at the State House.  His clients include Neighborhood Health Plan of Rhode Island, Verizon, Progressive Insurance and New England Financial Services Association.

Mike holds a B.A. in Political Science from the University of Rhode Island.