The CFM Government Affairs And Public Policy Team

Joel is a CFM partner who oversees the firm’s DC-based Federal Affairs team. He advocates for clients legislative and funding objectives before Members of Congress and the Executive Branch. Joel joined CFM in 2006 after serving as legislative director for former Congressman Brian Baird who represented Southwest Washington. He is a native of Crofton, Maryland and a graduate of Frostburg State University with a degree in accounting. Joel enjoys baseball, tennis and skiing. He also is a fan of karaoke and speaks fluent “carny”, the language used by traveling carnival workers to communicate without customers knowing what they are saying. Since 2015, Joel’s advocacy for The Bus Coalition has secured $8 billion in federal resources to invest in bus transit throughout the nation.  [Secret ambition: To be a contestant on Survivor.]

Kirby helps clients outline their federal priorities and projects, pursue funding opportunities and advocate on their behalf with Members of Congress and federal agencies. He has assisted CFM clients secure tens of millions in federal funding for Pacific Northwest projects.  Prior to joining CFM in 2017, Kirby worked as a legislative assistant or former Oregon Congressman Greg Walden, managing a broad portfolio of issues that include transportation, infrastructure, education, financial services, taxation, labor and housing. He successfully coordinated the introduction and inclusion of an amendment to the 2015 Surface Transportation bill that ensured bridges in the Columbia River National Scenic Area were eligible for federal transportation funding. He drafted and advocated legislation that restored Transportation Security Administration screening to small airports. Before going to DC, Kirby oversaw Walden’s Eastern Oregon field office responsible for 11 different counties. A native of Bend, Kirby earned his bachelor’s degree in political science from Baylor University and a master’s degree in public policy with an emphasis on transportation policy from George Mason University’s Schar School of Policy and Government. He enjoys spending time with his family, exploring new sights and trying out new restaurants. Kirby is an unabashed Baylor Bear fan. [Secret ambition: To visit every continent]

David provides local, state and federal advocacy for CFM’s clients in Washington, with a focus on infrastructure, natural resources, international trade and waterway issues. He worked as Washington Senator Patty Murray’s Southwest Washington director prior to joining CFM in 2019. Previously, David served as a legislative assistant at the Washington State Legislature. He hails from Vancouver and earned a bachelor’s degree in communications from Washington State University in Pullman. David and his family enjoy traveling to tropical climates or visiting theme parks. He has a passion for cars and looks forward to the transition to electric vehicles. He also is fascinated by all things science fiction. [Secret ambition: To run for local or state office when his children are grown]

Michael advocates in DC for legislative and appropriations objectives of CFM’s municipal clients in the Pacific Northwest. He joined CFM in 2015 and moved to the Federal Affairs team the following year. Hailing from Carlton, Oregon, Michael (his colleagues call him Skip) earned his bachelor’s degree in political science and environmental policy from Oregon State University. Upon graduation, he began work with the CFM State Affairs team in Salem, representing public and private-sector clients and staffing local levy campaigns in the legislative interim. Michael is a devoted Portland Trail Blazers fan and enjoys golf, travel and hikes. [Secret ambition: To visit every continent in the next five years]

Katie manages CFM public affairs projects in Southwest Washington, leads the firm’s new state lobbying operation in Olympia and assists the Federal Affairs team in grant writing. A licensed attorney, she joined CFM after a successful career as a political consultant advising on large-scale public works projects, bonds, levies and initiatives, as well as political races. Katie spearheaded the campaign in which Vancouver voters approved a $42 million, seven-year housing fund for very low-income households. She began her career while still a college undergraduate as a policy adviser to Clark County commissioners. Katie graduated from Clark College and Washington State University Vancouver before taking her law degree from Willamette University. While attending Willamette, she participated in legal programs in Shanghai, China and Sydney, Australia. Katie is a third-generation Washingtonian from a family that has lived in Clark County for 80 years. She, her husband and twin preschoolers stay busy on a 10-acre tract in Yacolt and enjoy antiquing and “playing tourists” at Pacific Northwest attractions. Katie is a graduate and board member of Leadership Clark County, where she mentors young women interested in the law and politics.  [Secret ambition: To have her home and garden featured in Better Homes & Garden]

Samantha assists CFM clients navigate federal processes, including tracking and securing federal funds under the newly enacted Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. She joined CFM after a fellowship in Congresswoman Jaime Herrera Beutler’s DC office working on healthcare and environmental issues and previously worked as a congressional intern for Congressman Ami Bera, M.D. Samantha is from Concord, California and earned her bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of California at Davis. She served in the US Marine Reserves for more than six years as a landing support specialist and maintenance manager. She earned a master’s degree in public leadership from the University of San Francisco through a program designed specifically for veterans interested in public service. When she isn’t working, Samantha enjoys traveling and sees herself as a foodie. She travels to a new place every year and tries two new restaurants every month, though Italian cuisine and sushi remain her favorites. [Secret ambition: To write a book about an as-yet undetermined topic]

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]

Zack advocates at the state level for local government, transportation, water policy and technology clients. He joined  CFM in 2017 after working for seven years for several Oregon lawmakers and serving a fellowship as staff to the Oregon Coastal Caucus. A native of Corvallis, Zack earned a bachelor’s degree in philosophy from Willamette University and a master’s degree in public policy from Oregon State University. He enjoys soccer, skiing, golf and video games. [Secret ambition: To finish a New York Times Sunday crossword]

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]

Katie manages CFM public affairs projects in Southwest Washington, leads the firm’s new state lobbying operation in Olympia and assists the Federal Affairs team in grant writing. A licensed attorney, she joined CFM after a successful career as a political consultant advising on large-scale public works projects, bonds, levies and initiatives, as well as political races. Katie spearheaded the campaign in which Vancouver voters approved a $42 million, seven-year housing fund for very low-income households. She began her career while still a college undergraduate as a policy adviser to Clark County commissioners. Katie graduated from Clark College and Washington State University Vancouver before taking her law degree from Willamette University. While attending Willamette, she participated in legal programs in Shanghai, China and Sydney, Australia. Katie is a third-generation Washingtonian from a family that has lived in Clark County for 80 years. She, her husband and twin preschoolers stay busy on a 10-acre tract in Yacolt and enjoy antiquing and “playing tourists” at Pacific Northwest attractions. Katie is a graduate and board member of Leadership Clark County, where she mentors young women interested in the law and politics.  [Secret ambition: To have her home and garden featured in Better Homes & Garden]

Rachel assists the State Affairs team on legal issues, especially involving human services, as she finishes her law degree at Willamette University’s School of Law. After graduating from Portland State University, she worked as a legal assistant for a family law firm and later clerked at the Department of Justice in the child custody section. Rachel’s undergraduate degree is in child and family studies with a minor in psychology and elementary education. An advocate for healthy family development, she saw legislative advocacy as a career pathway. Since 2019, Rachel has been the head coach for West Portland Cheer, a youth cheerleading program in the SW Portland area. She and her partner, Shelby, enjoy hiking with their white lab Olaf, and Rachel loves to be surrounded by indoor plants. [Secret ambition: Her art displayed in a museum]

Gary co-founded CFM in 1990 after a friendly spinout from Tektronix. He has been a federal and state lobbyist and now focuses on public affairs, including crisis communications. Gary began his career as a reporter and editor for daily newspapers before moving to DC to work as staff director for two Oregon congressmen. He returned to Oregon in 1982 to work for Tektronix as public affairs director. Gary grew up in a suburb of Denver and graduated with an English literature degree from Seattle Pacific University. He is an avid writer and enjoys traveling with his wife throughout Europe, especially in Italy. He was appointed to represent Washington County on the Tri-Met board of directors and Metropolitan Exposition-Recreation Commission. He earned a Silver Anvil, the “Oscar” of the public relations industry, for a successful, multi-year project to create a competitive energy market. [Secret ambition: To be a stand-up comic]

Norm offers strategic communications counsel on large, complex infrastructure and economic development projects that involve multiple jurisdictions, logistical challenges and big price tags. He joined CFM in 1999 as a partner after playing various leadership roles at the former Oregon Graduate Institute, including successful advocacy for state funding. Norm cut his public policy teeth working for Multnomah County Executive Don Clark. A native Portlander, he earned degrees from the University of Puget Sound and Portland State University before earning his PhD in history from the University of Illinois at Chicago, when he became a relentlessly disappointed Cubs fan. In 1994, Norm won a Fulbright Fellowship that enabled he and his wife to spend six months in Seoul, South Korea and eventually author a book about Korean environmental policies. He was a faculty member from 1983-2019 at the Pacific Northwest College of Art. Norm served two terms as president of the Westside Economic Alliance and chairs the board of the Wind & Oar Boat School, a reflection of his keen interest in sailing. [Secret ambition: To crew a sailboat in the Transpacific Race to Hawaii]

David provides local, state and federal advocacy for CFM’s clients in Washington, with a focus on infrastructure, natural resources, international trade and waterway issues. He worked as Washington Senator Patty Murray’s Southwest Washington director prior to joining CFM in 2019. Previously, David served as a legislative assistant at the Washington State Legislature. He hails from Vancouver and earned a bachelor’s degree in communications from Washington State University in Pullman. David and his family enjoy traveling to tropical climates or visiting theme parks. He has a passion for cars and looks forward to the transition to electric vehicles. He also is fascinated by all things science fiction. [Secret ambition: To run for local or state office when his children are grown]

Katie manages CFM public affairs projects in Southwest Washington, leads the firm’s new state lobbying operation in Olympia and assists the Federal Affairs team in grant writing. A licensed attorney, she joined CFM after a successful career as a political consultant advising on large-scale public works projects, bonds, levies and initiatives, as well as political races. Katie spearheaded the campaign in which Vancouver voters approved a $42 million, seven-year housing fund for very low-income households. She began her career while still a college undergraduate as a policy adviser to Clark County commissioners. Katie graduated from Clark College and Washington State University Vancouver before taking her law degree from Willamette University. While attending Willamette, she participated in legal programs in Shanghai, China and Sydney, Australia. Katie is a third-generation Washingtonian from a family that has lived in Clark County for 80 years. She, her husband and twin preschoolers stay busy on a 10-acre tract in Yacolt and enjoy antiquing and “playing tourists” at Pacific Northwest attractions. Katie is a graduate and board member of Leadership Clark County, where she mentors young women interested in the law and politics.  [Secret ambition: To have her home and garden featured in Better Homes & Garden]

Cindy serves CFM’s four offices in two states and DC. She manages policies and procedures, oversees the firm’s finances, renews business licenses and insurance and benefit plans, files monthly and quarterly lobbying reports, proofreads and submits proposal and oversees the firm’s IT and website. Cindy joined CFM in 2011 after working for two law firms, one plaintiff and one defense, as secretary, legal assistant and office manager for 26 years. From Portland, Cindy received a legal/executive assistant diploma from Western Business College. Her interests include cooking, entertaining, hiking, shopping and spending time with family. She and her husband routinely attend the Pendleton Round-Up. Cindy volunteers at the Rocksolid Community Teen Center in Brush Prairie and has served as the organization’s president. [Secret ambition: To learn to play the drums]

Elena is CFM’s bookkeeper and the hand that pays bills and sends invoices to clients. She joined CFM in 2016 to achieve a better work-life balance after a successful and stressful career as a financial consultant for high tech start-ups and creative companies. Her bachelor’s degree is in business administration. Elena grew up in Cupertino, but moved with her family to Tualatin, Oregon after being drawn by the lush landscapes of the Silicon Forest. Outside the office, she enjoys spending time with her two children and friends, as well as gardening. A San Francisco 49er fan, she likes to watch professional, college and local sporting events. Elena is a runner for any cause like “good wine, chocolate or just to spend time with a friend”. She has been on the Leukemia Society Team in Training for more than 20 years. [Secret ambition: To travel to Spain and run in the 25^th Rock n Roll San Diego Marathon]