Ms. Lynch is one of the principal members of Public Affairs Venture LLC. In January of 2001, Ms. Lynch established Patricia Lynch Associates (PLA), ushering in a new generation of lobbyists. At the core of her business philosophy is a commitment to providing superior client service with an extraordinary team of experienced and bi-partisan government relations specialists. Delivering optimal results for her clients, Ms. Lynch has set the standard for the industry. With this strong foundation and its absolute integrity, PLA is already one of the top three lobbying and government relations groups in Albany. The New York Times has called her rise "astonishing," and spoke of Ms. Lynch in an editorial piece as the "grande dame of the lobbyist corps." The Associated Press said there is no "equivalent to her success."

For the eight years prior to the establishment of PLA, Ms. Lynch served as a top staff member to the Speaker of the Assembly, Sheldon Silver. During her tenure in the Speaker’s office, Ms. Lynch’s responsibilities included setting legislative policy, directing media strategy, and negotiating with the Executive Chamber on budget and legislative initiatives. In addition, she oversaw all political components affiliated with the Speaker’s role. This position brought her into close working contact with leaders in the Assembly and Senate as well as with both political parties. Ms. Lynch’s many accomplishments have earned her universal respect.

Also within Ms. Lynch’s public service portfolio are: several years on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., where she worked as a chief aide to two members of Congress; and close to a decade of experience in Albany as head of the Senate Minority Communications and Correspondence units.

Together, Ms. Lynch brings her clients more than 24 years of government and political experience in both the New York State Legislature and Congress. Ms. Lynch is proud to have assembled a well-seasoned team of associates whose portfolios’ complement the talents and expertise she has brought to bear in the formation of Patricia Lynch Associates.

CLARENCE D. “RAPP” RAPPLEYEA

EXPERIENCE
Mr. Rappleyea is one of the principal members of Public Affairs Venture LLC. Prior to joining the group, he was chairman and chief executive officer of Rappleyea Public Affairs Group. Mr. Rappleyea served on the New York State Assembly for more than 22 years and was minority leader of the state assembly for 13 of those years. He was appointed by Governor Pataki to serve as chairman and chief executive officer of the New York Power Authority, the nation’s largest state-owned electric utility, in 1995 and retired from that position in January 2001.

PROFESSIONAL AND COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES
Mr. Rappleyea served as chairman of the New York State Economic Development Power Allocation Board and on the Executive Committee of the New York Power Pool. He is a former member of the board of the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority. He co-chaired the Electric Vehicle Association of the Americas (EVAA) and chaired the EVAA’s Public Policy Committee. He also served as a board member of the Electric Power Research Institute.

Mr. Rappleyea is a former member of the boards of trustees of Wagner College and Hartwick College. He received the 1995 John F. Deitrich Award from the Associated Medical Schools of New York for his contributions to the advancement of higher education in New York state. He holds honorary doctorates from Hartwick College, Wagner College and State University of New York at Oneonta. Long active in community affairs, Mr. Rappleyea has served as director of the New York State Tuberculosis and Emphysema and Respiratory Association, the Chenango County Association for Retarded Children, the county unit of the American Cancer Association, and the Norwich YMCA. He is a former president of the Chenango County Bar Association and served as chairman of Leadership Chenango.

EDUCATION
JD       Cornell University School of Law
BA       State University of New York at Albany
            Wagner College

EXPERIENCE:
Mr. Zlogar is an associate with Public Affairs Venture LLC. He provides legislative advocacy and strategic consulting services to businesses and other organizations with interests within New York state.

Prior to joining Public Affairs Venture, Mr. Zlogar worked for Rappleyea Public Affairs Group. He also served as director of state government relations for Household International, Inc. where he served as government relations liaison to business executives, defined legislative business objectives, and prioritized lobbying activity. He was actively involved in lobbying the New York and New Jersey legislatures on a variety of issues. Mr. Zlogar also served as director of legislative operations for the Pennsylvania Bankers Association where he created a member company grassroots program and originated a political action committee.

Mr. Zlogar has extensive experience in legislative procedure and representation of business interests before legislative and regulatory bodies. He has a proven track record in forming successful legislative strategies and acting as a liaison to business unit executives.

PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES & COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES
Mr. Zlogar is a former member and past president of the New York/New Jersey Financial Services Association. He has also been involved in a volunteer capacity with a variety of professional, civic and community organizations.

EDUCATION
MPA, 1993, Penn State University
BS, 1986, Lebanon Valley College

EXPERIENCE:
Ms. Cummings is a lobbyist with Public Affairs Venture LLC. Prior to joining the group, she served as deputy commissioner of the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance, Office of Tax Policy Analysis from 1996 to 2007. Ms. Cummings supervised a staff of 200 individuals within four functional bureaus. Her responsibilities included providing tax policy analysis to the Commissioner of Taxation and Finance, the executive branch, the legislature, and other state agencies. Ms. Cummings worked with and supervised the Tax and Fiscal Studies Bureau to support the state budget process as a source for tax policy and revenue alternatives, provided studies on a broad range of tax policy issues, conducted ongoing analysis of state and federal law changes and initiated joint industry-government working groups. Within the Technical Services Division, Ms. Cummings reviewed and supervised the staff responsible for the written guidance provided by the department. This guidance included the forms and instructions, notices to taxpayers concerning tax law changes, drafts of regulations, advisory opinions, and numerous publications. From November 1995 to January 1997, Ms. Cummings served as director of the state tax department’s Tax and Fiscal Studies. Within the Accounting Bureau, Ms. Cummings reviewed and directed staff on the reconciliation of the accounts, the department's financial statements, and the monthly revenue distribution to the state and local governments. She directed the development of the Tax Data and Forecasting Bureau’s statistical reports.

From December 1987 to November 1995, Ms. Cummings was an associate analyst for the New York State Senate Finance Committee. She was responsible for the continuous oversight and evaluation of state tax and revenue policy in a number of areas including, but not limited to, telecommunications and utilities, consumption taxes, and miscellaneous fees assessed by state agencies. She also provided analyses of fiscal, budgetary, and legislative matters in a number of public policy areas including local governments, transportation, environmental conservation, energy, health, and criminal justice. Ms. Cummings provided technical assistance to senate members and staff regarding fiscal issues, legislation, and program implications.