Our Team
Hamilton Lobbyists
Hamilton Lobbyists - Print Version
Robert I. Fassbender has more than 30 years of experience in government relations, regulatory affairs and lobbying. He was a partner at the Godfrey & Kahn law firm in Madison where he headed up the government relations practice. Bob also served as Director of Environmental Policy with Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce. He was in-house counsel in California for both McDonnell Douglas Corporation and the U.S. Air Force. Bob holds degrees in law from the University of San Diego and Bachelor of Science in civil engineering. His areas of expertise include energy, environment and transportation issues. More on Bob...
Patrick J. Osborne has extensive experience in government and regulatory affairs, including four years in the office of Governor Tommy G. Thompson, where he served as policy director, executive assistant, interim chief of staff and legislative liaison to the Wisconsin State Assembly. Pat was also Executive Assistant for the Wisconsin Department of Commerce and Deputy Secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Industry, Labor and Human Relations (now, the Department of Workforce Development). Pat has served on numerous boards and associations including serving for more than a decade as a board member for the Great Lakes Protection Fund.
Andrew Engel has over 15 years of experience in Wisconsin politics, both inside and outside of the Capitol. He started his career with Senator Kim Plache and from there went to the Senate Office of Budget and Policy, later becoming the Chief of Staff to then Majority Leader Judy Robson. Andy also spent extensive time campaigning, including stints running the State Senate Democratic Committee and as the political director for other statewide efforts. Combining his past experience with his time as a lobbyist, Andy has an insider’s knowledge of how the budget and legislative process works, with a strong understanding of how grassroots and messaging play into that process.
Andrew Cook joined the Hamilton Consulting Group in 2007 and has been representing clients with a variety of interests before the Wisconsin State Legislature and state agencies. Previously he was in-house legal counsel for the Building Industry Association of Washington, where he gained valuable experience in environmental, energy, land use and open government policy matters. He also served as a staff attorney for the Pacific Legal Foundation where he was instrumental is litigating and successfully arguing an important land use case before the Washington Supreme Court. More on Andy...
Rebecca Hogan has been developing and advancing policies and related political strategies for Wisconsin policymakers and businesses for 15 years. She joined Hamilton Consulting in 2013 after serving as the Director of Health and Human Resources Policy at Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce. Prior to joining WMC, Rebecca spent eight years in the Wisconsin State Senate working for a number of senators, including the current co-chair of the Joint Committee on Finance, Alberta Darling, and vice co-chair, Luther Olsen. Rebecca has also served as the Deputy Director for the Committee to Elect a Republican Senate, where she conducted all administrative and financial management and fundraising activities, and was the Regional Coordinator for the Gov. Thompson Committee. Rounding out her background in state government, Rebecca served as a research and policy advisor at the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions in the Office of the Secretary. Rebecca holds a Bachelor’s degree from UW-Madison in Political Science and International Relations. More on Rebecca...
Emily Kelchen joined Hamilton Consulting’s after graduating from the University of Wisconsin Law School in 2011. Emily’s work at Hamilton focuses on regulatory and energy policy. She is also responsible for working with the other members of the Hamilton team to generate Hamilton’s communications content, including newsletters, press releases, and legislative memoranda. She is skilled at researching complex issues and creating visual representations of information to effectively communicate a client’s position. More on Emily...
Founder/Advisor
James E. Hough has had an extensive career representing clients before the Wisconsin Legislature and administrative agencies. In addition to lobbying on behalf of state and national clients, he has served as executive and legislative director for several statewide associations. He worked for the Legislative Reference Bureau, the Wisconsin Legislative Council and was in private law practice. Earlier in his career he served as executive director for the State Bar of Wisconsin and the State Judicial Council. Jim holds degrees government and international relations from the University of Notre Dame and a law degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Affiliated Consultant
James A. Buchen has more than 30 years of experience in all aspects of public affairs, lobbying and association management. For over a quarter century, James was the Wisconsin business community’s preeminent advocate as Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce Senior Vice President of Government Relations. His new government relations firm, James A. Buchen Public Affairs, will work with Hamilton’s clients on an as-needed basis, unparalleled policy and political expertise. James attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where he received a Bachelor of Science Degree in History and a law degree. More on James...
Communications and Publications
Saralee Fassbender works with the firm's lobbyists drawing on her legal and publishing background to provide assistance in legislative research, including bill tracking and legislative reports. Before joining the firm, Saralee worked for the State Bar of Wisconsin in the publications department. Prior to moving to Wisconsin in 1989, Saralee practiced law for insurance defense firms in Sacramento and Long Beach, California. She has degrees in law and business administration.
Office Management
Jennifer Bodensteiner has been the firm's business manager since January 2005. She came to the Hamilton Consulting with more than 10 years of business office experience. Jennifer is responsible for all the day to day office operations.