Back in Session: A DMGS Podcast

In this episode of the Back in Session Podcast, hosts Ryan Stevens and Ryan DeMara welcome Massachusetts State Senator Brendan Crighton. The discussion dives into Crighton's journey from a civic-minded college student to a state senator, his work as chair of the Joint Committee on Transportation, and the pressing issues facing Massachusetts, including budget uncertainties and transportation challenges. From passing the Working Families Mobility Act to addressing MBTA deficits and coastal community concerns, Crighton shares insights on legislative priorities and coalition-building. The episode wraps up with a lighthearted take on the Boston Celtics' playoff prospects and the Red Sox's season outlook.

In this episode of the Back in Session podcast, hosts Ryan Stevens and Ryan DeMara sit down with Andrew O'Connor from the Entertainment Software Association (ESA) to explore the advocacy efforts shaping the video game industry. Andrew discusses critical policy challenges like artificial intelligence (AI) and online safety, debunking myths about gamers and highlighting how states like Texas and New York bolster the industry with tax incentives. The hosts also share lighthearted personal stories, from moving woes to nostalgic gaming memories featuring classics like MLB The Show, Tony Hawk's Pro Skater, and Halo. Whether you're a gamer or just curious about the industry's impact, this episode offers a fun and insightful look behind the scenes.Learn more about the Entertainment Software Association: https://www.theesa.com/about-esa/

Pennsylvania House Republican Leader Jesse Topper steps up to the plate on this episode of Back in Session to talk about PA's economy, energy policy, and the GOP's 2025 legislative game plan. He breaks down Governor Shapiro's budget, discusses the future of election integrity, and even calls out MLB's robot umpires. Also tune in to find out Leader Topper's predictions for the Pirates baseball season and who he thinks will be the Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback in 2025! Learn more about PA State Rep. Jesse Topper: https://www.reptopper.com/about

What's it like to govern in one of the most politically divided states? PA State Rep. Mike Schlossberg joins Back in Session to discuss mental health reform, education funding, and bipartisan challenges in Harrisburg. Plus, he shares insights into Governor Shapiro's budget, reflects on his path to politics, and settles the debate about Billy Joel's “Allentown.” Tune in for a lively discussion on Pennsylvania's legislative landscape!Learn more about Representative Schlossberg: https://www.pahouse.com/Schlossberg/About/Biography

The Back in Session podcast kicks off 2025 with a deep dive into multi-state lobbying and government affairs. Hosts Ryan Stevens and Ryan DeMara sit down with Kristen Casimir, a government affairs professional covering the southeastern U.S., to discuss the complexities of advocating across different state legislatures. Kristen shares her journey from campaign work to in-house government affairs, offering insights into relationship-building, navigating diverse political landscapes, and staying ahead of policy trends.

In this episode of The Back in Session Podcast, hosts Ryan Stevens and Ryan DeMara are joined by Brendan Williams from PBF Energy. They delve into the state of energy policy, the refining sector, and the challenges posed by electric vehicle mandates and renewable energy transitions. Brendan offers insights into his career, the pivotal role of refiners, and how energy policies impact consumers.About PBF Energy:They are one of the largest independent petroleum refiners and suppliers of unbranded transportation fuels, heating oil, petrochemical feedstocks, lubricants, and other petroleum products in the United States. They sell their products throughout the Northeast, Midwest, Gulf Coast, and West Coast of the United States, as well as in other regions of the United States, Canada, and Mexico, and are able to ship products to other international destinations. They own and operate six domestic oil refineries and related assets. Their refineries have a combined processing capacity, known as throughput, of approximately 1,000,000 barrels per day (“bpd”), and a weighted-average Nelson Complexity Index of 12.7 based on current operating conditions. The complexity and throughput capacity of their refineries are subject to change depending on configuration changes made to respond to market conditions, as well as investments aimed at improving their facilities and maintaining compliance with environmental and governmental regulations.They operate in two reportable business segments: Refining and Logistics. Their six oil refineries are all engaged in the refining of crude oil and other feedstocks into petroleum products, representing the Refining segment. PBFX operates certain logistical assets, such as crude oil and refined products terminals, pipelines, and storage facilities, which represent the Logistics segment.Their six refineries are located in Delaware City, Delaware; Paulsboro, New Jersey; Toledo, Ohio; Chalmette, Louisiana; Torrance, California; and Martinez, California.

In this episode of the Back in Session podcast, hosts Ryan Stevens and Ryan DeMara sit down with Michigan State Representative Bryan Posthumus to explore the key issues shaping Michigan's political and legislative landscape. Posthumus, the GOP Floor Leader, shares his experiences running for office during COVID-19, highlights the "Mission for Michigan" policy platform, and outlines his vision for making Michigan more affordable, improving education, and enhancing energy production. The discussion also covers the balance between environmental protection and economic growth, the importance of vocational education, and the state's approach to combating the opioid epidemic. A must-listen for anyone following Michigan's pivotal role in national politics.About Rep. Bryan Posthumus:Elected in 2020, Representative Posthumus serves the citizens of Michigan's 90th House District, which encompasses much of Northeast Kent County. The district is comprised of the townships of Sparta, Alpine, Algoma, Courtland, Cannon, Grattan, Vergennes and parts of Tyrone and Plainfield, as well as the City of Rockford.Bryan graduated from Michigan State University with a Bachelors' Degree in Agricultural Business Management.As a fifth-generation farmer, Bryan knows the value of hard work and commitment. Over the past ten years, he has built his farm from a start up to the largest farmer-owned hop grower in the state, and he brings that work ethic and experience to Lansing as a representative.About Mission for Michigan:https://missionformichigan.com/

Ever wondered what goes into organizing a U.S. presidential debate? In this episode of Back in Session, Ryan Stevens and Ryan DeMara sit down with Jean Cantrell and Dan Felton, who have served as members of the 'Ticketing Team' with the Commission on Presidential Debates (CPD), to uncover the complexities behind the scenes. From selecting venues to ticketing logistics, discover the intricate planning that shapes these historic events. Plus, learn about memorable moments from past debates, the role of students in the process, and some of the most unusual challenges, like Kid Rock and mask enforcement during the 2020 debate! Perfect timing with the 2024 election around the corner—don't miss this insider's take!About Jean Cantrell:As a seasoned government relations professional, State and Federal Communications, Inc., was thrilled to bring on Jean Cantrell as the company's first senior advisor in January, 2022, with a particular focus on stakeholder management. She has been a volunteer with the Commission on Presidential Debates since 1988 and worked with the Commission to set up presidential debate watches on more than 500 college campuses. She has served in a number of leadership positions: President of both the Washington Area State Relations Group and the State Government Affairs Council, was Vice President of the NCSL Foundation, and co-chair of the U.S. Conference of Mayors Business Council. About Dan Felton:As AMERIPEN Executive Director, Dan can be contacted directly for comments and questions about AMERIPEN's Board of Directors, finances and resources, association and industry leadership, coalition management, strategic planning, public policy positions, and conference and speaking requests Dan is currently staff liaison for their federal working group, Communications Committee and Compostables Work Group.About the CPD:The Commission on Presidential Debates (CPD) was established in 1987 to ensure, for the benefit of the American electorate, that general election debates between or among the leading candidates for the offices of President and Vice President of the United States are a permanent part of the electoral process. CPD's primary purpose is to sponsor and produce the quadrennial general election debates and to undertake research and educational activities relating to the debates. The organization, which is a nonprofit, nonpartisan, 501(c)(3) corporation, sponsored all of the presidential debates in 1988, 1992, 1996, 2000, 2004, 2008, 2012, 2016, and 2020.Learn more: https://www.debates.org/about-cpd/

In this episode of the Back in Session podcast, hosts Ryan Stevens and Ryan DeMara sit down with Amy Bos, Director of State and Federal Affairs at NetChoice, to discuss the critical issues facing the tech industry today. They dive into the latest developments around AI regulation, antitrust lawsuits, and online speech moderation. Amy shares insights from her Capitol Hill experience and highlights the potential global challenges to U.S. tech leadership. From privacy law to artificial intelligence, this episode provides an in-depth look at how the government is shaping the future of technology.Learn more about NetChoice: https://netchoice.org/

Join us in this insightful episode of the Back in Session podcast as co-hosts Ryan Stevens and Ryan DeMara sit down with Pennsylvania State Representative and Republican Whip, Tim O'Neal. Dive into the complexities of the recent state budget, explore the dynamics of special vs. general elections, and learn about crucial legislative efforts aimed at transparency and consumer convenience. Whether you're a Pennsylvania resident or a political enthusiast, this episode offers valuable perspectives on state politics and governance. Don't miss out on this great conversation! About Rep. O'Neal:Relying on his private-sector experience, Rep. Tim O'Neal is working to create and protect jobs, improve infrastructure, ensure our energy diversity and independence, and reform state government. He is serving his third full term in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives after assuming office following a May 2018 special election.Tim was elected to serve as the Republican Whip for the 2023-24 Legislative Session.A life-long resident of southwestern Pennsylvania, Tim graduated from Jeannette High School and Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP). While an undergraduate, he served in the ROTC program at IUP and was a member of the Pennsylvania National Guard. After graduation, he served on active duty, including a tour in Afghanistan. He rose to the rank of captain. While in combat, Tim was awarded the Bronze Star with “V” for valor. Once he returned from active duty, he chose to settle back in southwestern Pennsylvania and earned his master's degree in business administration from the University of Pittsburgh's Katz Graduate School of Business. After working in the energy industry, Tim was a human resources director for a construction company.In his spare time, Tim coaches football and enjoys spending time outdoors.Tim resides in South Strabane Township with his wife, Julia, and their three children, Lucy, Daniel and Simon.The 48th Legislative District covers the city of Washington; Amwell, part of Carroll (Districts 3, 4 and 5), East Finley, Fallowfield, Morris, North Franklin, part of North Strabane (Districts 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5), Nottingham, Somerset, South Franklin, South Strabane, and West Finley townships; and the boroughs of Donora, East Washington and Green Hills.

In this episode, the Back in Session hosts Ryan Stevens and Ryan DeMara dive into their excitement for the upcoming National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) meeting in Louisville, Kentucky. They then welcome this week's special guest, Alex Baloga, President and CEO of the Pennsylvania Food Merchants Association (PFMA), for an insightful discussion on his career journey, PFMA's mission, and their advocacy work. Alex shares recent legislative successes, the challenges of representing the competitive retail industry, and how PFMA navigates the partisan divide in Pennsylvania's government. Tune in for an engaging conversation on the intricacies of legislative advocacy and the importance of collaboration.About PFMA:The Pennsylvania Food Merchants Association (PFMA) is a statewide trade association advocating the views of the food and beverage industries. Our membership includes convenience stores, supermarkets, independent grocers, wholesalers, distributors, and consumer product vendors of all sizes operating in Pennsylvania and beyond.About Alex Baloga:Alex Baloga became PFMA President and CEO on July 1, 2017. After joining PFMA in 2013 as director of government relations, he was promoted to director of government and public relations in 2014 and to vice president of external relations in 2015. Baloga leads PFMA's day-to-day operations and helps implement its strategic vision, working with the board of directors, of which he is a member. He leads PFMA's government relations efforts at the local, state and federal levels. He also manages PFMA's federal, state and Philadelphia Food PACs along with PFMA's Legislative, Pharmacy and WIC Stakeholder's committees.He serves on the Classification and Ratings Committee for the Pennsylvania Compensation Rating Bureau. He is a board member on the Underground Storage Tank Indemnification Fund. He joined the Pennsylvania Department of Health's newly formed Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Advisory Group in 2022. He sits on the Food Industry Association Executives (FIAE) Board of Directors, the Pennsylvania Dairymen's Association Board of Directors and the NACS Legislative Committee. In addition, he represents PFMA members on the Pennsylvania Lottery Sales Advisory Council.Baloga previously served as deputy finance director for Robert P. Casey's re-election campaign for U.S. Senator, where he directed the fund raising activities in central Pennsylvania. He has extensive contacts from his experience as an associate lobbyist for a contract lobbying firm in Pennsylvania.In addition, he worked in U.S. Senator Bob Casey's Government office as a regional field manager, serving as the senator's liaison to government, community and constituent groups in central Pennsylvania; monitoring local issues and developments, and representing Senator Casey at civic meetings and community events.Baloga has earned recognition for his work in the food retail industry on several 40 under 40 lists, including Central Penn Business Journal, City & State PA and The Griffin Report. He recently was recognized in City & State PA's 2022 PA Agriculture Power 100. He also earned the 2018 Excellent in Government Affairs Award from the Grocery Manufacturers Association. Baloga earned his bachelor's degree in History with a specialty in Political Science from West Virginia University.Learn more about PFMA:https://www.pfma.org/

In this episode of the Back in Session Podcast, hosts Ryan Stevens and Ryan DeMara are joined by Mark Hutchinson, the CEO and founder of Blue Line Solutions. With a rich background in law enforcement, Mark shares his personal journey and the heartbreaking incidents that led him to create Blue Line Solutions, a company dedicated to improving road safety through automated speed enforcement technology, with a focus in school zones and work zones.Listeners will gain insights into:The mission behind Blue Line Solutions and their commitment to "Strive for Zero" – aiming for zero crashes, zero injuries, and zero fatalities.How innovative LiDAR technology is used to accurately capture speeding vehicles, ensuring effective enforcement in school and work zones.The importance of combining public information and education with enforcement, a strategy proven effective by the "Click It or Ticket" campaign.Overcoming the misconception that automated enforcement is just a money grab and emphasizing Blue Line's focus on safety over profits.The future of automated enforcement, including potential expansions of the use of the technology.The impactful work of the Lipford Foundation, supporting families of fallen officers.Join us for an enlightening discussion that highlights the critical role of automated speed enforcement in saving lives and making our roads safer. Learn About Blue Line: https://www.truebluesafer.com/Learn About the Lipford Foundation: https://lipfordfoundation.com/

Welcome to this episode of the "Back in Session" podcast, featuring a dynamic discussion between hosts Ryan Stevens and Ryan DeMara, and their special guest, Terra McClelland, the current president of the State Government Affairs Council (SGAC) and Vice President of Government and External Affairs for Benevis. In this episode, discover Terra's insights on professional development, state-level policy, and her fascinating journey in government affairs. Plus, hear about her unique experiences in presidential advance work (in the Office of the First Lady) and her passion for making a difference in underserved communities.About Benevis:Benevis is a leading dental healthcare delivery organization for practices focused on delivering life-changing oral care and orthodontics to underserved communities. Through comprehensive care and operational services that expand access to dentistry, Benevis has a 20-year history of providing the highest quality care to approximately 5 million children and adults. Its network reaches more than 100 locally branded dental offices across the U.S. that deliver treatment through 1.2 million visits each year. Benevis also advocates for programs and legislation that ensure all families have access to the oral healthcare they need and deserve. For more information, visit Benevis.com.About the State Government Affairs Council (SGAC):The State Government Affairs Council (SGAC) is the premier national association for multi-state government affairs professionals, providing opportunities for networking and professional development. SGAC's mission is to advance and support the state government affairs profession by fostering community among peers and elected officials, building knowledge, and promoting diverse perspectives in a nonpartisan environment.Learn more at: https://www.sgac.org/

In this episode of the "Back in Session" podcast, hosts Ryan Stevens and Ryan DeMara delve into the innovative world of AI technology applied in gun detection with Burgess Nichols from ZeroEyes. Starting with some light-hearted sports banter, the conversation transitions into a serious discussion on how AI can help mitigate mass shootings through advanced detection systems. The episode also covers ZeroEyes' efforts in working with legislators and communities to ensure a cooperative approach to security and emergency response, emphasizing the importance of education and transparency in technology deployment.About ZeroEyes:Founded in 2018 by a team of Navy SEALs and elite technologists following the Marjory Stoneman Douglas school active shooter incident, ZeroEyes was created to protect people from having to face similar circumstances.As veterans and parents, ZeroEyes' co-founders were compelled to develop a proactive solution to keep people safe after seeing and hearing about mass shootings occurring in schools and other public places, and the impact they have on our society.Drawing from over 50 years of collective military experience, they provide military-grade intelligence monitoring to facilities like schools, commercial buildings, and defense sites.Learn more: https://zeroeyes.com/

This week, the Ryans bring on special guest, Connecticut State Senator James Maroney. They ask Sen. Maroney about his role in shaping artificial intelligence (AI) policy in the state of Connecticut and beyond. They also talk about his path to public service, the importance of collaboration, where things stand in Connecticut's current legislative session, and even how Connecticut has better pizza than New York and New Jersey! Tune in for an excellent discussion. About Sen. Maroney, Deputy Majority Leader of the CT Senate:James Maroney was first elected to represent the 14th District (Milford) in 2018.Before being elected to the Senate, he was a State Representative for the 119th District from 2012-2014, where he served on the Higher Education Committee. Due to his distinguished service on the Higher Education and Employment Advancement Committee, he was asked to serve on the Planning Commission for Higher Education and help develop a strategic plan for higher education in Connecticut.Prior to politics, Sen. Maroney was a past president and founding member of the Milford Education Foundation and also served on the Milford Board of Education. A proud and active participant in the community, he is a member and past president of the Devon Rotary, where he is the co-chair of the scholarship committee.Sen. Maroney founded First Choice College Placement in January of 1999 which aims to make young people's higher education dreams come to fruition. First Choice College Placement also makes community service a priority and offers a number of educational seminars, donates to scholarships, and makes practice SAT and ACT tests available to the community. First Choice is a member of the Milford Chamber of Commerce and the Downtown Milford Business Association.Prior to a successful career in public service, State Senator Maroney attended Yale (Class of 96), where he was a 3-time varsity letter winner in both track and field and cross-country. In his senior year, he was elected captain of the track and field team and was awarded the Yale Men's Cross-Country Award for Performance and Dedication. He graduated from Jonathan Law High School of Milford in 1992.Senator Maroney lives in Milford with his wife Jennifer and his son Jay.His committee assignments:Chair: General LawVice Chair: Veterans' AffairsRanking Member: Regulation ReviewMember: Finance, Revenue & Bonding; Higher Education & Employment Advancement; Energy and TechnologyLearn more: https://www.senatedems.ct.gov/senator/james-maroney/bio

This week, the Ryans bring on Jody Thomas from the National Foundation for Women Legislators (NFWL) to talk about the NFWL, its mission, and more. They cover the NFWL's role in supporting female legislators through professional development, mentorship, and networking. You won't want to miss this fun and informative conversation! The Ryans also recap the DMGS 2024 State Capitol Building Bracket Challenge, which saw over 5,000 votes on our Twitter/X. The winner for the inaugural challenge was Nebraska! Thanks to everyone for voting. About the NFWL:THE VISION OF NFWL is to empower and inspire elected women to become thought leaders who shape America's future.THE MISSION OF NFWL is to provide strategic resources to elected women for leadership development, exchange of diverse legislative ideas, and effective governance through conferences, state outreach, educational materials, professional and personal relationships, and networking. We encourage the election and/or appointment of women to public office.Since 1971, the number of women serving in state legislatures has more than quintupled. Today they hold 2,307, or 31.2% of the 7,383 seats nationwide. Currently, 24 women serve in the US Senate and 120 serve in the US House of Representatives, while 95 women hold statewide elective office. Of those, there are 9 women Governors, 19 Lt. Governors, 8 Attorneys General and 21 Secretaries of State. From Washington, DC to local city councils, women are making a big difference in politics and how our country is run. Women chair numerous committees, they influence policy and they understand the importance of building bipartisan coalitions in support of the nation's most pressing concerns to ensure widespread change in both thought and policy on a variety of issues.That's where the National Foundation for Women Legislators comes in! Since 1938, NFWL has served as a forum for elected women from across the country to be empowered through information and experience. As the oldest organization for elected women in America and the ONLY one that includes women on the city, county and state levels, we encourage our members to take leadership roles and form connections across the aisle. We know that only by working together, can we achieve our goals.Learn more: https://www.womenlegislators.org/

In the latest Back in Session episode, the Ryans bring on Pennsylvania State Representative Josh Kail to discuss various issues facing Pennsylvania and his role as the Chairman of the House Minority Policy Committee. Kail gives his perspective on numerous topics from energy to education, AI to taxes, and everything in-between. Notably, he offers his reaction to Governor Shapiro's new energy plan and discusses the legislature's role in shaping AI regulations moving forward. Kail also talks about his path to becoming a State Representative, what it's like being a father of 8 and his hall of fame statistic from his college football days. Enjoy! Learn more about Rep. Kail at https://www.repkail.com/ and about the House GOP Policy Committee at https://www.pagoppolicy.com/

On this week's Back in Session episode, the Ryans are joined by special guest Jon Anzur, Vice President of Public Affairs for the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry. They discuss Jon's path to the Chamber, including his experience working campaigns and on the Hill in DC. They also discuss what issues the Chamber is working on and highlight some policy successes. And with March Madness coming up soon, they also touch on the Chamber's upcoming "Coolest Thing Made in PA" bracket challenge.About the PA Chamber of Business and Industry:The Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry—the Statewide Voice of BusinessTM —was founded on Dec. 16, 1916 by a group of more than 100 influential business leaders from across the Commonwealth who recognized the need for a unified voice for business in the halls of the state Capitol. Our mission is to advocate for job creation and lead Pennsylvania to greater prosperity for its residents.Headquartered in Harrisburg, and with staff in Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Lehigh Valley and Hazleton, today's PA Chamber is the largest broad-based business association in Pennsylvania. Our membership comprises close to 10,000 member businesses of all sizes and industry sectors throughout the state—from sole proprietors to Fortune 100 companies—representing nearly 50 percent of the private workforce in the Commonwealth.Business advocacy is at the heart of our work. With a full-time staff of experienced business lobbyists, an active political action committee, legislative issue work groups and grassroots action network, the PA Chamber serves as the frontline advocate for business growth in the state Capitol.Learn more: https://www.pachamber.org/about/

Happy New Year! To ring in the 2024 New Year, the Ryans bring on Charlotte Hickcox from the Toy Association to talk all things toys. They discuss Charlotte's background, what the Toy Association does, and reminisce over their favorite childhood toys!About the Toy Association:Founded on June 9, 1916 as Toy Manufacturers of America, Inc., The Toy Association®, Inc. is the business trade association representing hundreds of companies including manufacturers, retailers, licensors and others who are involved in the youth entertainment industry. Their manufacturing members account for 93% of US toy and game sales, which were approximately $40 billion in 2022. Learn more: https://www.toyassociation.org/

This week, the Ryans bring New York State Assemblyman Anil Beephan Jr. onto the podcast - the first state lawmaker on the DMGS Back in Session Podcast! They discuss Asm. Beephan's experience in his first year in office, what it was like serving as a local elected official before being elected to the state Assembly, and some of the issues he's fighting for in Albany on behalf of his constituents in the 105th legislative district.About Assemblyman Anil Beephan:Anil Beephan Jr. was elected to the New York State Assembly on November 8, 2022. His district is comprised of parts of Dutchess County including the towns of Amenia, Beekman, Dover, East Fishkill, Fishkill, LaGrange, Pawling, Union Vale, and Wappinger.As an Assemblyman, Anil utilizes his experience as a town councilman to focus on the important issues facing the residents of Dutchess County including support for policies that seek to make New York State energy independent. He seeks increased domestic energy production while also holding public utility companies accountable to customers. Anil is ready to fight for our environmental needs and to protect our ecosystem for future generations. Further, he will push to reduce the wasteful spending habits of Albany and ease the heavy tax burden shouldered by New York's small businesses and residents. Anil believes in smarter spending and greater resources for schools, infrastructure projects, and emergency services. Additionally, he will support the needs of law enforcement and changes to the state's bail reform measures to directly address safety issues in our communities.Anil completed his undergraduate degree at Arcadia University and later earned his master's degree in Management at Harvard University. He previously served in various legislative roles for state Sen. Sue Serino before embarking on a career as a client-driven public relations and marketing strategist. Prior to being elected Assemblyman, Anil served as a councilman for the Town of East Fishkill.Anil is a long-time resident of East Fishkill and served his community as a volunteer firefighter. He is also a private pilot.Learn more: https://assembly.state.ny.us/mem/Anil-Beephan-Jr/bio/

This week, the Ryans sit down with special guest Eric Blomgren, Chief Administrative Officer and Director of Government Affairs for the New Jersey Gasoline-Convenience-Automotive Association. They discuss what it's like lobbying in New Jersey and what's in store for the NJGCA in 2024, including issues such as NJ's EV mandate (Advanced Clean Cars II), a potential ban on menthol cigarettes, and whether or not New Jersey will continue to ban self-service gas pumping. They also look to settle the longstanding Jersey debate: Taylor Ham vs Pork Roll.About the NJGCA:Founded in 1937, and boasting a proud tradition of excellence that stretches back over 75 years, NJGCA represents over 1,500 small business owners who serve the motoring public in the gasoline service station, convenience store, and automotive repair industries. Their members also include car washes, tire vendors, car dealerships, automotive parts dealers, financial services companies, fuel distributors, lubricant vendors, business management companies and much more!NJGCA takes a multifaceted approach to serve their small business members, including:Advocating for effective public policies with legislators and state officials in TrentonOffering essential small business services to our members, often at a discounted price to help you reach maximum profitabilityInforming and educating members on industry mattersEnhancing general awareness and projecting a positive image of our members to the general public, media, and LegislaturePromoting the highest levels of ethical standards and professionalism among membersCheck out their website: https://www.njgca.org/

This week, the Ryans bring on special guest Tim O'Connor, the Executive Director of the National Christmas Tree Association. They discuss what the NCTA does, why REAL Christmas trees should be used over artificial trees, the origin of artificial trees, and the NCTA's role in the White House Christmas Tree. It was a tree-mendous discussion!The National Christmas Tree Association (NCTA) is the national trade association representing the Christmas tree industry. NCTA represents more than 700 active member farms, 29 state and regional associations, and more than 4,000 affiliated businesses that grow and sell Christmas trees or provide related supplies and services. Members are located throughout North America, as well as in South America and Europe. It is estimated that those affiliated with the NCTA produce roughly three-quarters of the farm-raised Christmas trees in the United States.Learn more: https://realchristmastrees.org/

This week, the Ryans bring on special guest Alain Xiong-Calmes from the Chamber of Progress, a new tech industry coalition devoted to a progressive society, economy, workforce, and consumer climate. Alain talks about the different issues the Chamber is working on and monitoring, including automated vehicles, as well as the future of issues like artificial intelligence and data privacy. Alain also talks about his previous experience working for Governor Tom Wolf in Pennsylvania and working the circuit with Ryan S (NCSL, etc.). Learn more about the Chamber of Progress: https://progresschamber.org/

In this week's episode of Back in Session, the Ryans recap election results across the country, namely Kentucky, Virginia, Mississippi, Pennsylvania, and Ohio. They then bring on special guest Micah Rasmussen, Director at the Rebovich Institute for New Jersey Politics at Rider University, to discuss the New Jersey 2023 election results, looking at what factors led to Democrats having a better night than many anticipated, and what it could mean for 2025 and beyond. Outside of election results, they also dabble into the infamous New Jersey debate over Pork Roll vs. Taylor Ham and a new haunted story that should have been included in our last Haunted State Capitols episode. Micah's bio is included below and you can learn more about him here.Micah Rasmussen is the director of the Rebovich Institute for New Jersey Politics. He has contributed to the public affairs of the state for more than two decades, and has more than 15 years of experience as an adjunct professor of political science.As Governor James E. McGreevey's press secretary, he handled crisis communications during the Governor's historic resignation. He has served as communications director for the New Jersey Department of Transportation, worked in the New Jersey General Assembly, and managed several political campaigns.Most recently, Rasmussen served as vice president for executive communications at Chubb, where he wrote speeches for audiences throughout the world. He previously served as director of corporate communications for New Jersey Resources and its primary subsidiary, New Jersey Natural Gas. He led the crisis communications that kept affected customers, public officials and the media informed throughout widespread system damages in the wake of Superstorm Sandy.During his undergraduate studies at Rider, Dr. Rebovich was his professor and mentor. He earned his Master of Arts in Political Science from the Eagleton Institute of Politics at Rutgers University.Rasmussen runs the New Jersey Model Congress, a civics education program he founded. He lives with his wife and three daughters in Upper Freehold Township, where he advocates for the preservation of farmland and open space.

In this week's episode of Back in Session, the Ryans venture into the Capitol of Shadows, a special Halloween episode to cover spooky and haunted state Capitol buildings. Do you like ghost stories? Then this haunted state Capitol episode is for you! The Ryans discuss the hauntings of Capitols in Tennessee, Arkansas, Kentucky, and Maryland, and stories including assassinations, murders, untimely deaths, and more. SOURCES for this episode:https://www.cannoncourier.com/scary-stories-abound-on-capitol-grounds-cms-14439 https://www.clthomas.org/post/the-hauntings-of-the-tennessee-state-capitol https://ghostcitytours.com/nashville/haunted-nashville/state-capitol-building/ https://hauntedkentuckyroadtrip.com/2022/09/13/ghosts-of-the-old-capitol-building/https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/kentucky/haunted-old-capitol-building-frankfort-ky/ https://www.fox16.com/news/local-news/is-the-arkansas-state-capitol-haunted-fox16-joins-sweet-and-sour-paranormal-to-find-out/https://www.kark.com/news/local-news/the-supernatural-state-old-arkansas-state-house/https://aboutlittlerock.com/haunting-at-the-old-state-house/

Welcome to episode three of the DMGS Back in Session Podcast! This week, the Ryans bring on Cody Bright of the REFORM Alliance to discuss all things Criminal Justice Reform, particularly legislative efforts in various states around probation and parole reform. Cody also touches on his experience with the Iowa Caucuses, what it's like serving as a local township supervisor, and the story behind the Dr. Oz crudité video from the 2022 Pennsylvania U.S. Senate race. Don't forget to LIKE, SHARE, and SUBSCRIBE!

Welcome to another episode of Back in Session, a DMGS podcast. This week, Ryan and Ryan (the Ryans) speak with Katie DeLand from the DMGS Ohio office. Katie provides insight on the political landscape in Ohio, including the upcoming ballot issues, redistricting, as well as what it's like to work outside of Ohio as part of DMGS' multi-state practice. Don't forget to like, share and subscribe!

Welcome to the inaugural episode of Back in Session, a Duane Morris Government Strategies podcast. This week, Ryan and Ryan from DMGS speak with Gerry Wosewick of the Pennsylvania School Bus Association. Gerry provides insight on the challenges facing the school bus transportation industry, what it's like working with a new gubernatorial administration, and the best place in Philly to get a cheesesteak.Don't forget to share and subscribe!