OREGON STATE LOBBYIST AND GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS FIRM

Dale is a CFM partner who oversees the firm’s Salem-centered State Affairs team. He advocates for clients on budget, health care, transportation, human services, water policy and child welfare issues before the Oregon legislature and state agencies. Dale joined CFM in 2014 after starting his career working for the Oregon Senate Judiciary Committee and lobbying for Oregon’s long-term care industry. He grew up in Salem and earned his bachelor’s degree from Emory University in Atlanta. Dale enjoys fishing, traveling and raising a young son with his wife. He is active in community affairs, playing a pivotal fundraising role for the newly completed Gerry Frank/Salem Rotary Amphitheater on Salem’s riverfront.  [Secret ambition: To open a pizza or bread-themed food truck or pop-up restaurant]

Waylon advocates as part of the State Affairs team for a range of clients with an emphasis on transportation, environmental, budget, taxation, water policy and social service issues. As an attorney and member of the Oregon State Bar, he assists on legal analysis and bill drafting. After a decade of experience in the state capital, Waylon joined CFM in 2020 after representing the Oregon Trucking Associations and serving as a member of the Oregon Department of Transportation’s government relations team that won legislative approval in 2017 of the largest multi-model investment package in the state’s history. He and his wife operated Expansion Media that managed political campaigns, from fundraising to digital media production. Waylon earned his bachelor’s degree in political science from Western Oregon University and took his degree from Willamette University’s College of Law while working at the legislature. A new father, Waylon and his expanded family are enjoying backyard barbecues, board games, chasing their toddler and catching up on sleep. For fun, Waylon and his wife enjoy hiking, camping and practicing survival skills they hope they will never need to use. [Secret ambition: To be a test pilot]

Ryann is part of the State Affairs team, focusing on budget, housing, education and environmental issues. She joined CFM in 2022 after working for Oregon House Speaker Dan Rayfield, starting when he was co-chair of the Joint Ways and Means Committee. Before that, Ryann worked for Rep. Paul Holvey and the Oregon League of Conservation Voters. She earned her bachelor’s degree in environmental science at Portland State University and played lacrosse for four years, the last year as team captain. Ryann and her husband, Sean, live in Wilsonville with their two dogs, Harper and Stella. She enjoys hiking, woodworking and Oregon beaches. During the pandemic, Ryann took an interest in baking, attempting to master boules and focaccia bread. [Secret ambition: Brew a Belgian sour beer from start to finish]

Jessica brings extensive relationships and knowledge in health care, human services, transportation, nonprofits and education to her role at CFM. She has served as a legislative staffer, lobbyist for a major industry association, legislative director and chief of staff for two Oregon House Speakers and in-house government affairs manager. Jessica rejoins CFM after working eight years for the largest private employer and health care entity in Oregon. She is a graduate of Pacific University and earned her master’s degree in healthcare management. Jessica is married with three children and lives in Sherwood where she serves on the Sherwood School Board. In her spare time, Adamson enjoys playing with her grandson, following her son’s marching bands and solving Wordle puzzles. [Secret ambition: To break a yet-to-be-determined Guinness World Record.]

Katie Whittier represents CFM’s clients in Olympia, advocating their priorities before the Washington State Legislature. She brings a depth of experience in strategic communications and client advocacy developed over two decades working in public relations, political organizing and community engagement. Her career began with campaign work, including President Barack Obama’s 2008 primary race and U.S. Senator Patty Murray’s 2010 re-election. She went on to direct outreach in both Southwest Washington and King County for Senator Murray, after which she honed her communications skills serving in-house and in consulting roles to ports, cities, transportation agencies, workforce and economic development organizations, nonprofits and small businesses. An Idaho native, she holds degrees in Sociology and Music from the University of Idaho. She now lives with her husband and stepson in the South Sound region where she can easily escape to Mount Rainier National Park to hike, camp and gather inspiration. [Secret ambition: To own a retreat center on acreage with stunning views where burnt-out introverts can find the solitude we all crave.]