Office: Harrisburg
Phone: (717) 234-8525
E-Mail: mfoley@ggrgov.com
Coming soon.
Office: Harrisburg
Phone: (717) 234-8525
E-Mail: apanuccio@ggrgov.com
Coming soon.
EXECUTIVE ASSISTANTOffice: Harrisburg
Phone: (717) 234-8525
E-Mail: bmerkt@ggrgov.com
Coming Soon.
GOVERNMENT RELATIONS ASSOCIATEOffice: Harrisburg
Phone: (717) 234-8525
E-Mail: kschaeffer@ggrgov.com
Coming Soon.
PRACTICE ADMINISTRATOROffice: Harrisburg
Phone: (717) 234-8525
E-Mail: atamosaitis@ggrgov.com
Coming soon.
Derrick A. BackerOffice: Harrisburg
Phone: (717) 234-8525
E-Mail: dbacker@ggrgov.com
Derrick Backer joined the firm as an Associate Lobbyist in July of 2018. As an integral part of the lobbying team, Derrick will represent the firm’s clients to identify, prioritize and develop strategies to achieve the client’s goals before the PA Legislature, Office of the Governor and other state agencies.
Derrick began his political career working as an Executive Specialist of Legislative Affairs to Governor Tom Corbett where he built relationships with legislators and legislative staff. Prior to joining Gmerek Government Relations, Derrick was the Campaign Manager for the Dan Meuser for Congress campaign where he oversaw grassroots efforts and developed and implemented media, communications and public relations strategies.
Additionally, Derrick gained extensive legislative and political experience working for the Republican Party of Pennsylvania as the Deputy Political Director and as a Legislative Director for New Jersey Assemblyman, Anthony Bucco.
Derrick is a graduate of Bloomsburg University with a degree in Political Science. He has served on the Bloomsburg University Alumni Board and as a State Treasurer of the Pennsylvania Young Republicans.
LobbyistOffice: Harrisburg
Phone: (717) 234-8525
E-Mail: acrist@ggrgov.com
Ms. Crist joined Mr. Gmerek and his executive team in 2014, bringing with her several years of professional experience. Prior to joining the firm, Ashely worked with the Pennsylvania Chiefs of Police Association managing a wide array of projects, events and promotional activities. Ashley manages in every respect, the administrative operations for the CEO and Practice Administrator. She provides high-level administrative support to the executive team, directing their work day and helping them meet the many priorities of their assignments and high expectations of GGR’s clients.
Ashley is a graduate of York College of Pennsylvania with a degree in Communication.
Sara AbernethyOffice: Harrisburg
Phone: (717) 234-8525
E-Mail:sabernethy@ggrgov.com
Ms. Abernethy joined Mr. Gmerek and his team in 2016, bringing with her more than15 years of experience as an Administrative Assistant. Prior to joining the firm, Sara worked in the insurance industry. As an Executive Assistant, Sara works with the firm’s lobbyists and serves as their liaison to Mr. Gmerek. She provides high-level administrative support to the lobbyists, directing their work day and helping them meet the many priorities of their assignments and high expectations of GGR’s clients.
Office: Harrisburg
Phone: (717) 234-8525
E-Mail: jvalen@ggrgov.com
Ms. Valen joined Gmerek Government Relations in 2016 and assists in conducting issue research, legislative monitoring and developing information used in the advocacy in support of GGR’s clients. Jessica brings her experience working as a Constituent Research Specialist in Representative Greg Rothman’s District Office where she conducted policy research and drafted press releases. Additionally, Jessica conducted policy research, drafted legislation and attended committee meetings and hearings during her Legislative Fellowship with the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, Republican Gaming Oversight Committee. She was also involved in many different aspects and issues in state government because of the experience she gained while working in the office of Governor Tom Corbett.
Jessica graduated from the Pennsylvania State University with a degree in Political Science and is currently pursuing a Master of Public Administration from the Pennsylvania State University. She also is a 2017 graduate of the Anne B. Anstine Excellence in Public Service Series.
Jenna EarleyOffice: Harrisburg
Phone: (717) 234-8525
E-Mail: jearley@ggrgov.com
Ms. Earley joined the firm’s team as a lobbyist in February 2016 and has several years of public policy experience. Prior to joining Gmerek Government Relations, she served as the Director of Marketing for the American Council of Engineering Companies of Pennsylvania. Additionally, she served as the Director of Public Policy of the United Way of Pennsylvania where she lead the development and management of effective working relationships with key public officials at the federal, state and local levels.
Jenna earned her B.A. in History from Millersville University and a Masters of Public Administration from Shippensburg University. She also received the 2016 Central Penn Business Journal Forty Under 40 Award.
VICE PRESIDENTOffice: Harrisburg
Phone: (717) 234-8525
E-Mail: clammando@ggrgov.com
Mr. Lammando joined Richard Gmerek over 15 years ago after serving as Deputy Secretary for Legislative Affairs for Governors Tom Ridge and Mark Schweiker during which he focused on economic and community development, public health and safety, and education legislative and policy initiatives. Chris also served as a Special Assistant to the Deputy Chief of Staff for Governor Ridge and focused attention on cabinet agency activities and policy development.
Mr. Lammando was named one of the Top Government Relations Professionals Under 40 by the political/government news source PoliticsPA. Additionally, Chris serves as a board member to the Pennsylvania Small Business Development Centers, a statewide organization that provides entrepreneurs with the tools necessary to build successful businesses.
FIRM ADMINISTRATOROffice: Harrisburg
Phone: (717) 234-8525
E-Mail: dgmerek@ggrgov.com
Ms. Gmerek oversees the firm’s financial operations including client billing and collections, payroll and budgeting. Denise handles lobbying registration and reporting requirements for the office and advises clients of their responsibilities under the law. Additionally, she is responsible for the administration and coordination of the day-to-day operation of the firm, including human resources.
Denise graduated from the Pennsylvania State University with a degree in Applied Behavioral Sciences and is a member of the Society for Human Resource Management. Upon graduation, Denise primarily worked in private law firms. She also worked in the executive offices of the PA Public Utility Commission prior to joining Mr. Gmerek’s lobbying practice.
ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANTOffice: Harrisburg
Phone: (717) 234-8525
E-Mail: tpetrovich@ggrgov.com
Ms. Petrovich joined the firm in 2013. Tracy coordinates all front office activities and provides crucial administrative and clerical support to the firm’s lobbying team and Firm Administrator. She works with all members of the administrative team to ensure the office is operating in an efficient and effective manner.
In addition to Tracy’s administrative functions, she handles the firm’s Information Technology issues in conjunction with the firm’s IT Consultant.
LOBBYISTOffice: Harrisburg
Phone: (717) 234-8525
E-Mail: eross@ggrgov.com
Erik Ross brings over 21 years experience in state government and lobbying to Gmerek Government Relations. As a registered lobbyist, he specializes in state government relations with a focus on energy, environmental, and public utility issues in one of the most innovative regulatory environments in the country. His duties include lobbying members and staff of the Pennsylvania General Assembly, executive departments, and regulatory agencies on behalf of clients. In addition, he serves as a liaison between clients and state government officials and assists in the drafting or amending of legislative and regulatory proposals. His current clients include the National Association of Water Companies, PA Chapter; Pennsylvania Section, American Water Works Association; Pennsylvania Rural Water Association; Water Works Operators Association of Pennsylvania; and Duquesne Capital Management, LLC.
Prior to joining Gmerek Government Relations, Erik was an Associate at Delta Development Group Inc. in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania where he provided lobbying and public funding services to clients and assisted Lycoming County in the development of a comprehensive Chesapeake Bay Tributary Strategy that included the generation of nutrient credits for trading. In addition, Erik served as Manager of Governmental Relations in the Harrisburg, Pennsylvania office of the international law firm of LeBoeuf, Lamb, Greene & MacRae, L.L.P. At LeBoeuf, Erik built a government relations practice around Pennsylvania’s water and wastewater industry. Moreover, he assisted the firm’s Energy and Utility practice by monitoring legislation and providing lobbying services for Columbia Energy Services, Inc., Comcast Corporation, and NRG Energy. Erik also assisted the firm’s Insurance practice by monitoring legislation for the Alliance of American Insurers, Liberty Mutual, Farmers Direct Insurance, Pennsylvania Association of Life Underwriters and Pennsylvania Medical Society Liability Insurance Company (PMSLIC).
Erik’s public sector experience includes positions as Research Analyst to the Chairman of the Senate Majority Policy Committee and Senate Environmental Resources & Energy Committee; and Legislative Assistant and Executive Assistant to the Pennsylvania Senate Majority Whip Mike Fisher from 1989 to 1993. His duties included management legislative/policy development; drafting legislation, amendments and correspondence; assisting the Majority Whip on the Senate floor; and assisting the Senate Majority Leader’s staff on caucus-related projects.
Erik holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Public Service and a Master of Science degree in Policy Analysis from the Pennsylvania State University. He is a member of several statewide industry trade associations for water and wastewater utilities and has had numerous articles published in their professional publications.
PRESIDENT & CEOOffice: Harrisburg
Phone: (717) 234-8525
E-Mail: rgmerek@ggrgov.com
Dick is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Gmerek Government Relations, Inc.
He is a well-recognized lawyer/lobbyist in Pennsylvania and has been honored by:
Dick is also a lawyer/lobbyist lecturer:
From 1980-1985, Dick served as counsel to the Pennsylvania Senate Republican Majority Leader and President Pro Tempore; and he was Deputy Chief Counsel to the Senate Republican Caucus where he advised and counseled individual Senators and developed Senate policy and negotiated complex legislation. He entered private practice in 1985 and concentrated his practice at that time in Pennsylvania government law and government relations. He created Wolf Block Government Relations, LP (WBGR) in 2001 where his focus changed solely on government/political relations. In 2009, after the WolfBlock law firm dissolved, Dick started Gmerek Government Relations, Inc. It is important to note that many of Dick’s first clients are still clients today, e.g. AFLAC, the Pennsylvania AAA Federation, 84 Lumber Company/Nemacolin Woodlands, Family Planning Councils, and others.
Dick received his B.A., magna cum laude, in Political Science from Westminster College in New Wilmington, Pennsylvania and his J.D. from the University of Dayton School of Law. He is admitted to practice in Pennsylvania and Florida, the United States Middle District Court of Pennsylvania and the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit.
Dick has lived in Pennsylvania for all of his life, except a few years in law school and for several months in Florida after graduating therefrom. He currently resides in the Hershey, PA area with his wife and daughter.