Stephen R. Wojdak, Esq. President & CEO
Stephen Wojdak has been professionally active in public affairs for about 35 years. Mr. Wojdak
began his legislative career in 1968 when he was elected to the Pennsylvania House of
Representatives. He served in the House for four terms, ultimately as chairman of the
Philadelphia delegation and chairman of the Appropriations Committee--a post that allowed
him to play a significant role in the shaping of the commonwealth's annual budget. A graduate
of the University of Pennsylvania Law School, Mr. Wojdak formed his government-relations
practice in 1977.
Since the firm's inception, Mr. Wojdak has represented a number of hospitals, medical schools
and health-care institutions. America's ongoing revolution in health care has placed him at
the center of some of the most important and complex issues—in particular, government
reimbursement of medical services—now facing the commonwealth and the nation. He has also
directed many of the firm's major lobbying engagements, including efforts to reform
Pennsylvania's tort reform laws, deregulate the telecommunications and electric utility
industries, and obtain state funding for the Pennsylvania Convention Center, the Wachovia
Center, and Lincoln Financial Field. Mr. Wojdak is a member of the Board of City Trusts in
Philadelphia.
Thomas P. Flynn Chief Operating Officer
Thomas Flynn oversees the business and financial operations of Wojdak & Associates
and its affiliated companies, including Bellevue Communications Group, a public relations
subsidiary. Mr. Flynn manages the daily operations of the firm, handling personnel,
financial, marketing, political fundraising, and client issues. Prior to his promotion
to COO, Mr. Flynn worked as special assistant to Mr. Wojdak for five years.
He brings a background in journalism, politics and government to the firm, having served
as press secretary to U. S. Congressman Alan Wheat (D-Missouri), and having worked as a
reporter for United Press International in Baltimore covering state government and political
news. Mr. Flynn holds a master's degree in government administration from the University
of Pennsylvania.
Gina Guerin Controller
Gina Guerin manages the firm's accounting department. She handles the firm's finances
including financial reporting and budgeting, banking and cash management, payroll,
client billings and collections, and vendor payments.
Ms. Guerin holds a degree in accounting from Seton Hall University in New Jersey and passed
the CPA examination in 1994. She worked as an auditor for two years for Deloitte &
Touche, LLP and also worked for five years in regional public accounting firms as a senior
tax accountant.
Lobbying
Holly Kinser Executive Vice President
Holly Kinser brings a unique blend of government relations and political
experience to the firm. As Executive Vice President, Ms. Kinser manages the firm's
government relations practice, overseeing all the lobbying engagements. Her experience
as both a contract lobbyist and an in-house corporate lobbyist enables Ms. Kinser
to successfully serve a broad range of clients.
Prior to joining Wojdak & Associates, Ms. Kinser served as Managing Director
of a Harrisburg-based lobbying firm, where she represented the City of Philadelphia,
the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Pittsburgh Pirates, Allied Signal, Pfizer, Inc.,
Frito Lay, and AT&T. Her efforts on behalf of these clients distinguished her as
one of the best lobbyists in Harrisburg. Ms. Kinser began her career in Pennsylvania
by establishing the Harrisburg lobbying office of International Paper Company. She served
as regional public affairs manager for the company for five years.
Gary W. Babin Vice President
Gary Babin is an experienced lobbyist who has been active in regulatory and government
affairs in Pennsylvania, Maryland and Ohio for nearly 20 years. Prior to joining Wojdak
& Associates, he served as Vice President of Regulatory and Governmental Affairs
for Columbia Gas of Ohio for four years. Mr. Babin works on behalf of several clients,
focusing on tax, law enforcement, gaming, appropriations and agricultural issues.
Before moving to the private sector, he served as the Executive Director of the
Pennsylvania Senate State Government Affairs Committee and the Senate Labor and Industry
Committee, and as Director of the Bureau of Agriculture Development in the Pennsylvania
Department of Agriculture. He also served as Vice President of the Lancaster Chamber of
Commerce and currently serves on numerous boards and commissions. Mr. Babin is a graduate
of the Pennsylvania State University.
Scott Bishop
Scott Bishop has more than 10 years experience in state government, politics and public
policy research. Before joining the firm, Mr. Bishop served as a budget analyst for the
Appropriations Committee in the House of Representatives, handling fiscal issues
regarding public safety and homeland security matters. Prior to this position, he
held the post of Executive Assistant to former state Representative and Appropriations
Chairman John Barley.
Mr. Bishop started his career in state government as a member of Governor Tom Ridge's
policy staff in the Pennsylvania Department of Education. As an executive policy
specialist, he focused on workforce development issues and helped prepare the Commonwealth
for the implementation of the federal Workforce Investment Act. In addition, Scott
has worked for a national social research organization and two statewide think tanks,
most recently the Susquehanna Valley Center for Public Policy. He hails from Lancaster
and holds a B.A. in political science from Dickinson College and a M.A. in political
science from the University of Pittsburgh.
John C. Hawkins
John Hawkins has been involved in the public policy arena in Southeastern
Pennsylvania for more than 10 years. He worked for five years as a legislative
assistant to Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Appropriations Chairman Vincent Fumo,
analyzing state and municipal legislation. Mr. Hawkins served as a liaison to
Philadelphia's City Council on such issues as stadium construction, tax reduction,
cable competition, gambling regulation, and historic preservation.
Prior to serving as a legislative assistant, Mr. Hawkins served as the Research
Director for the Committee of Seventy, Philadelphia's “government watchdog”
organization, where he assisted in Philadelphia's purchase of new voting machines
and advocated for various electoral reforms. John holds a bachelor's degree and a
master's degree in government administration from the University of Pennsylvania,
where he is currently an instructor on urban politics and municipal government
at Penn's Fels Institute of Government.
Mark Richards
Mark Richards has a solid and diverse background in government affairs having worked
for more than a decade in the public and private sectors. Prior to joining S. R. Wojdak
& Associates, he represented the needs of thousands of Pennsylvania small businesses
in Harrisburg as Assistant State Director for the National Federation of Independent
Business. As Assistant Executive Director for the Pennsylvania Forest Products
Association, he advocated for the lumber and forest industries and helped manage
membership and government relations activities.
In addition, Mark was Director of
Government Affairs at the Lancaster Chamber of Commerce and Industry, where he represented
the interests of local businesses at the municipal, county, state and federal levels.
Mark also worked as Chief of Staff to the Deputy Secretary for Central Services in the
PA Department of General Services during the Casey Administration. A native of Lancaster
County, Mark is a graduate of the University of Delaware, where he earned BA degrees in
Political Science and English.
Jim Davis
Jim Davis has been actively involved in state government since 1999. Prior to joining Wojdak
& Associates, Jim served as Senior Manager of Public Affairs for Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.
He represented the world's largest retailer in discussions with the Governor's Office, cabinet officials,
and state legislators. Jim was also responsible for managing new store growth and identifying
partnership and charitable giving opportunities for the company.
Prior to joining Wal-Mart, Jim spent several years lobbying in Harrisburg on behalf of Blue Cross of
Northeastern Pennsylvania and working as a research assistant in the Senate of Pennsylvania.
A native of Lackawanna County, he graduated from Duquesne University in 1998 with a degree in Business
Administration.
Beth A. Brennan
Beth Brennan is a member of the firm's legislative research staff. She monitors the daily
activities of the Pennsylvania General Assembly, carefully tracking the proceedings in the
House and Senate chambers and legislative committees. On behalf of the firm's clients, Ms.
Brennan provides summaries and briefing documents on legislative and policy initiatives.
Ms. Brennan joined Wojdak & Associates after graduating from Lebanon Valley College with
a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and English Communications. She benefited
from several government and political internships, including a position in the press office
of former Pennsylvania Attorney General Michael Fisher.
Wendy J. Hoover
Wendy Hoover, a member of the firm's legislative research staff, has seven years experience
in Pennsylvania government and politics. She has served as a legislative assistant in the
office of Senator Robert Jubelirer, President Pro Tempore of the Senate, and also worked
in the offices of former Representative Matthew J. Ryan, Speaker of the House, and
Representative Jerry Stern. In 2000, she also served as Campaign Coordinator for the Senate
Republican State Committee in the 25th Senatorial District
Prior to joining Wojdak & Associates, Wendy was a lobbyist with a Harrisburg-based
firm where she was responsible for representing a number of clients before the General
Assembly. She also worked as an Assistant Director of Government Affairs for a trade
association located in Harrisburg. Wendy is a 1992 Cum Laude graduate of Lock Haven
University of Pennsylvania with a B.A. in Political Science.
Melissa Bova
Melissa Bova is a member of the firm's legislative research staff.
She researches bills that will affect the firm's clients and
tracks them through the legislative process. She covers the
proceedings in both the House of Representatives and Senate chambers
along with action taken in legislative committees.
Ms. Bova joined Wojdak & Associates after graduating from
Gettysburg College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in political
science. She worked in the district office of State Senator
John Rafferty Jr. as well as serving as a staff member on his
re-election campaign committee.
Health Care
Brian T. Baxter Senior Vice President
As Senior Vice President, Brian Baxter manages the firm's health care practice, overseeing
client engagements in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Washington, D.C. During a 30-year
career, Mr. Baxter has held several high-ranking policy and budget positions in state
government in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
Prior to joining Wojdak & Associates, he served as Chief Operating Officer of Northwestern
Human Services, the largest behavioral health/community health services provider in
Pennsylvania. In the Administration of New Jersey Governor Christie Whitman, he served as
Deputy Chief of the Governor's Office of Policy and Planning, Associate Deputy Treasurer,
and OMB Director. In Pennsylvania, he served as Executive Deputy Secretary for the Department
of Public Welfare under Governor Dick Thornburgh, supervising several offices including the
Office of Medical Assistance. During his career, Baxter also served as First Deputy Controller
of the City of New York, Assistant to Pennsylvania State Senate Majority Leader John Stauffer,
and City Administrator of Trenton, New Jersey.
G. June Hoch Vice President
June Hoch handles several health care engagements involving issues for hospitals, nursing
homes, pharmaceutical companies and trade associations. She assists the firm's clients in
developing innovative, effective solutions to the government-relations issues that
increasingly beset the volatile health care industry. Widely recognized for her expertise
in Medicaid issues, Ms. Hoch also helps clients shape strategy on a broad range of policy
matters, particularly those involving regulatory agencies.
Ms. Hoch joined Wojdak & Associates after 25 years with the Pennsylvania Department
of Public Welfare. During her 18-year tenure with the Office of Medical Assistance Programs,
she directed the Bureau of Consumer and Provider Services and the Bureau of Inpatient Programs.
William F. Mentzer, Jr.
William Mentzer joined Wojdak & Associates after a 22-year career in community behavioral
health services where he was responsible for planning, researching and managing local
government programs. Since many of his efforts involved other community agencies, he
has a broad understanding of the human service system. He brings to the firm a background
in strategic planning, project management, program evaluation, performance measurement,
statistical analysis, and proposal development.
Prior to joining the firm, Mr. Mentzer served as administrator of a county mental health
and mental retardation program for 14 years. He also served as program evaluator and
deputy director of a county mental health program in Ohio. He holds a Master of Public
Administration degree from the Pennsylvania State University.
H. Scott Johnson
Scott Johnson brings to the firm more than 30 years of Pennsylvania government experience. Prior
to joining the firm, Mr. Johnson served as the Executive Director of the Pennsylvania State
Public Health and Welfare Committee. During his tenure, he worked for Senators Corman, Mowery,
and Peterson, and the Senate-approved legislation dealing with managed care reform, welfare
reform and the tobacco settlement.
Prior to working in the Legislative Branch, Mr. Johnson worked in various posts in the
Department of Public Welfare, including serving as the Executive Director of the Perry County
Assistance Office and as Regional Program Representative for the Office of Income Maintenance.
He holds a Bachelor of Arts in sociology from Franklin and Marshall College.
Joan W. Martin
Joan Martin has an extensive background in home and community-based services to people with
disabilities and seniors, including 23 years with service provider agencies. Her experience
includes the development and growth of the current long-term living programs and extensive
interaction with policy-makers. As a Senior Associate, she brings to the firm skills in program
policy, budget development, personnel management, proposal development, and quality management.
Prior to joining the firm, Ms. Martin served for more than seven years as Executive Director of
United Cerebral Palsy of Pennsylvania, providing state level advocacy and administration of the
Policy Information Exchange. A Lancaster County native, she holds a bachelors degree and a Master
of Management in Healthcare Administration from the Pennsylvania State University.
