We understand California government and help clients make an impact on the issues that matter.
We serve as trusted advisors and lobbyists to help clients navigate the political, legislative and regulatory processes of Sacramento. We provide a straightforward understanding of how to manage the critical issues that impact your interests.
We are aggressive, creative and results-oriented. Whether advancing or protecting the interests of a client, our full-service firm has you covered. Our experience is diverse and unique to the business of Sacramento advocacy. And every client is serviced by a partner.
OUR SERVICES
Our diverse experience includes working with clients from health care and financial services to the energy and transportation industries. There’s no substitute for real experience. Let’s talk.
S E R V I C E S
Relationship Building
Creating opportunities to get to know the decision-makers
Lobbying
Directing your interests before legislators, committees, commissions, regulatory authorities and key government figures
Strategic Planning
Navigating the landscape and issues that will impact your business matters
Budget Advocacy
Identifying opportunities to work with state resources
Grassroots and Coalition Building
Expanding support among stakeholders, communities, and like-minded partners.
Public Affairs
Mobilizing media and local assets statewide to drive impact and influence outcomes
OUR TEAM
Peter Kellison
Peter has been an active influencer on California’s most substantial health care, workers’ compensation, pharmacy and prescription drug issues in the state’s modern history.
Fred Main
Fred has a deep understanding of state tax and fiscal issues and has been closely involved in shaping California’s technology industry policies.
J. Kevin Pedrotti
Kevin is known for political insights, masterly assisting a diverse client base on health care, insurance and business industry issues.
Rosanna Carvacho Elliott
Rosanna has vast experience in the realm of California policy and politics and can navigate complex issues and relationships with policymakers and businesses.
Monica Kirkland
Monica leverages her organizational and administrative skills to be the driving force behind the scenes of the Clear Advocacy team.
When making an impact requires influencing public perception and recruiting allies, we have you covered with a trusted team of strategists who know how to communicate, influence, and build campaigns.
Luis Quinonez
Luis is one of Sacramento’s foremost public affairs experts, understanding how to forward a legislative strategy with campaigns that deliver results.
Guy Chipparoni
Chip is a strategist who understands the intersection of communications and politics and delivers creative approaches to clients’ most challenging issues.
Julia Sznewajs
Julia provides senior-level strategic counsel across industries including healthcare, energy, environment, transportation and education.
Bernie Goméz
Bernie has served as Art Director, Creative Director and Vice President of several worldwide companies.
925 L Street, Suite 1450, Sacramento, CA 95184 916.479.7400
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Peter Kellison
Peter has been an active influencer on California’s most substantial health care, workers’ compensation, pharmacy and prescription drug issues in the state’s modern history.
His clients include Fortune 100 companies, numerous trade associations, non-profits and small businesses. His expertise comes from an early career in government and politics serving as staff in both Washington, D.C. and at the California State Senate. There, his efficiency and effectiveness led to a quick run up the ladder ultimately overseeing Capitol operations for a State Senate Leader.
Prior to forming Clear Advocacy, he created The Kellison Company to further his legislative and regulatory advocacy work. The Kellison Company remains a well-established lobbying firm.
Peter has been cited as “One of the Most Influential Individuals in Health Policy and Politics in California” by Capitol Weekly and was inducted into the California Pharmacy Hall of Fame as the only non-pharmacist inductee.
Always willing to take the idea of special interests to a new level, he fronts a popular local band called “Special Interest.” Also, an avid angler, you can find Peter during his down time relaxing by offshore fishing from his kayak.
Peter is a graduate of California State University, Chico, where he majored in International Relations and carried a minor in Russian History. He lives with his wife, Heidy, and son Chase, in Davis, California.
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Fred Main
Fred has a deep understanding of state tax and fiscal issues and has been closely involved in shaping California’s technology industry policies. His expertise is evident through successes in influencing public policy and directing legislative and regulatory advocacy.
Fred’s tenure includes playing an influential role in major tax legislation including the unitary tax, tax conformity, and protection of the research and development tax credit. He has also led several statewide ballot campaigns on energy, taxation and political reform.
Prior to starting Clear Advocacy, Fred was of counsel to a national law firm and served as Senior Vice President and General Counsel for the California Chamber of Commerce. There, he oversaw the Chamber’s public policy program, including advocacy before the Legislature, regulatory boards and the courts. Initiatives included tax policy, privacy and litigation reform.
Fred has served on the boards of several organizations including the California State Museum for Women, History, and the Arts, Volunteers of California, California International Marathon and Civil Justice Association of California. He has also received an “Award of Merit,” from the Legal Aid Association of California for his work establishing California’s first right to counsel in civil cases.
Fred received a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from California State University Fullerton and his law degree from McGeorge School of Law, University of the Pacific. He lives in Davis, California with his wife Anne.
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J. Kevin Pedrotti
Kevin is known for political insights, masterly assisting a diverse client base on health care, insurance and business industry issues. His hands-on approach marries personal relationships with policy insights.
Kevin’s career in politics and government affairs began as policy staff in the California State Assembly. He has lent his expertise as a senior lobbyist for a national law firm and as a named partner for a Sacramento-based lobbying firm. His legislative successes are many within the California timber industry and California hospital industry. J K Pedrotti, Inc., represents a diverse base of clients, from Fortune 20 health care companies to trade associations and small businesses and remains a successful lobbying firm.
Kevin serves as a board member of the Institute of Governmental Advocates (IGA). IGA is a voluntary, non-partisan association representing the leading professional lobbyists and lobbying firms in California’s Capitol.
A graduate of California State University at Chico with a degree in Public Administration, Mr. Pedrotti is an accomplished runner and Ironman triathlete. His personal best national caliber 2:33 marathon time caused a Sacramento newspaper to anoint him “Sacramento’s Fastest Lobbyist.”
His interest in fitness extends to pro-bono counsel in establishing the California Task Force on Youth and Workplace Wellness. Kevin serves as a Board Member of the River City Rebels competitive run club. He lives with wife, Janet in Fair Oaks, California.
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Joy Langford
Joy has an intricate knowledge of navigating regulatory and compliance issues at the local, state and federal government levels. She brings a wealth of knowledge to the team, supporting clients to become better corporate citizens through environmental and corporate responsibility initiatives.
Recent successes include implementing LED street lighting projects in several southern California cities, consulting on light rail and energy efficient trucking solutions for the Air Quality Management District, negotiating emissions fines, and implementing Electric Vehicle (EV) charging stations units in several California municipalities. Joy has also led M&A efforts, project management and financing for utility grade renewable energy projects both domestically and internationally.
Much of her early career experience stems from her role as the Senior Environmental, Energy and Water policy advisor to Assemblywoman Autumn Burke (D-Inglewood, CA).
Raised and currently residing in Los Angeles, Joy has degrees in Economics and Urban Planning from the University of California at Santa Barbara. She sat on the advisory board for Air Quality Management District, and currently sits on the boards of Young Professionals in Energy, 85 Broads and the Children’s Museum of La Habra. She is a Milken Associate with the prominent think tank, specializing in social policy and legislation.
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Monica Kirkland
Drawn by her interest in California politics and the intricacies of the legislative process, Monica has been a driving force behind the scenes at Clear Advocacy for over two years. With a background in retail management, sales management, and marketing, Monica leverages her organizational and administrative skills to help the Clear Advocacy team navigate California’s busy and often chaotic world of California’s capital.
Monica is a graduate of the University of California, Davis graduate with degrees in Psychology and Communication, as well as a minor in African-American Studies.
Monica is an active member of the Sacramento community serving as a life coach, board member of New Season, workshop presenter, and ordained Pastor. Originally from San Diego, Monica has been a Northern California resident for over 14 years.
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Guy Chipparoni
–President + CEO
Chip is a strategist who understands the intersection of politics and communications and delivers creative approaches to clients’ most challenging issues.
A media relations and crisis management expert, Chip is recognized as an industry leader who offers astute counsel to C-suite and executive leaders on complex corporate concerns. Whether managing labor, tax, development or transitional issues, Chip is quick to assess the scenarios and strategize on a path forward. Protecting reputations and building relationships are always his priority.
Chip founded Res Publica Group in 2002 following leadership roles at both KemperLesnik Communications in Chicago and the national public affairs team at Hill & Knowlton. He served as a senior advisor to Illinois Governor Jim Edgar and began his career navigating hospitality and tourism industry issues for the prominent private owners of Hyatt Hotel Corporation. He serves on the Chicago Advisory Board of U.S. Bank.
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Julia Sznewajs
– Managing Partner
Julia provides senior-level strategic counsel across industries including healthcare, energy, environment, transportation and education.
As the lead for corporate strategy initiatives, Julia helps shape brand narratives and protect client reputations. Julia understands how to advance community and issue-based campaigns, building full-service strategies for both public and private sector clients. She has also orchestrated communications and integration strategies around corporate mergers and brand acquisitions.
Prior to joining Res Publica Group, Julia was a practicing lobbyist with Alcalde & Fay in Washington, D.C. and served as Director of Advocacy & Communication for the Chicago Anti-Hunger Federation, in addition to agency-based public affairs work. Julia received a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from Marquette University. She lends her time and resources to supporting hospital-based arts education programs for children through Snow City Arts Foundation.
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Luis Quinonez
–Vice President + West Coast Director
Delivering targeted outcomes, Luis is one of Sacramento’s foremost public affairs experts with a strong history of success. Luis creates and executes strategies to build the essential political capital and identify aspects that capture the public’s attention and support. Combining relationship-building, narrative creation and concise advocacy, Luis has produced powerful and positive results in high profile debates for California and the nation. Some of these debates include: climate change, economic development, healthcare, income inequality and insurance requirements for transportation network companies.
Prior to joining Res Publica, Luis led U.S. State Government Affairs for eBay. Luis has also served as Chief of Staff in the California Legislature, most recently for California Assemblywoman Autumn Burke (Los Angeles, CA).
Luis earned his Bachelor’s in Politics and Master’s in Public Administration from the University of San Francisco. He serves on the board of the Chicano-Latino Youth Leadership Project and lives in the Sacramento area with his family.
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Rosanna Carvacho Elliott
Rosanna’s extensive knowledge and network within the California State Legislature and California’s political and policy landscape ensures the best outcomes for clients and California. Her vast experience working in the realm of California policy and politics, navigating complex issues and relationships with policymakers, negotiating issues impacting individuals and businesses in California are the cornerstone of her sustained success for her clients.
Rosanna has a very diverse practice which includes a large international energy company, the alternative asset management industry, local governments, startups, childcare providers and a health products manufacturer. Additionally, her practice provides expert advocacy and counsel in the energy, water, and natural resources field.
Rosanna’s career in politics began as staff in the California Legislature. She served in both the Senate and the Assembly providing her with robust policy experience and creating a broad set of relationships in both houses along with a thorough understanding of the legislative and parliamentary processes, the roles of legislative leaders, their staff and committee staff.
Prior to joining Clear Advocacy, Rosanna was a shareholder at a national law and lobbying firm, serving as Managing Partner of the Sacramento office.
Rosanna received a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from California State University Sacramento. She earned her law degree from the University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law while working full time in the State Senate. She lives in West Sacramento, California with her husband, two children and rescue dog, Jasmine.
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Bernie Goméz
–Vice President + Creative Director
Bernie formed the Corazón Agency, where he delivered strategy, creative development and integration of global brands to the U.S. Hispanic market. Prior to forming the Corazón Agency, Bernie spent a decade as Group Creative Director at Havas Worldwide. While there, he launched Havas Latino, the multicultural division of the global agency. His clients included Dish, Dos Equis, Mike’s Hard Lemonade, Craftsman, Hefty, Autozone, Cracker Barrel and Coke among other brands. Before forming Havas Latino, Bernie also led new business initiatives for many of Havas’ clients such as Dish Latino and Bel Brands. He worked across many categories, brands and media in both General and Hispanic Markets.
From 1998 to 2008, Bernie served as Art Director, Assistant Creative Director and Creative Director of Brann Worldwide/Euro RSCG Worldwide. While there he led creative for brands such as Sprint and Citibank. Earlier in his career, Bernie also worked in magazine design and branding for American Airlines, Bank of America and E-Trade. His work has been recognized with multiple advertising awards.
He is a native of Chicago’s Little Village and Pilsen neighborhoods, and is a Graduate of the University of Illinois with a BFA in Graphic Design. He received an Integrated Marketing Certificate from Northwestern University, and he participated in the Havas Next Gen Leadership Program in New York, Paris and Kuala Lampur.