Cook Strong Sellwood's strongest asset is our professional staff
Cook Strong Sellwood's strongest asset is our professional staff
Our Team
At Cook Strong Sellwood we aim to not only meet our clients' expectations, but to exceed them. Our goal for every client is to provide leadership and a strong team presence. We have built our reputation on this philosophy and continue to strengthen it as we develop relationships and execute results.
Our staff profiles demonstrate that we have a team of highly knowledgeable professionals ready to meet your needs. Our diverse backgrounds and experiences have prepared us to be uniquely qualified to assist our clients in many areas of expertise. We look forward to the opportunity to work with you.
Judy Cook
Senior Partner
Judy Cook
Throughout her career, Cook has successfully managed some of the most complex legislative and regulatory issues addressed by Minnesota policymakers.
Cook has expertise on a variety of public policy issue areas including health care, business regulation, civil law and government transformation. She is known for tackling tough government affairs challenges and achieving results through broad, bi-partisan relationships while developing and implementing effective strategies. She has proven the ability to work across the political spectrum to arrive at consensus on public policy issues from the simple to the most controversial, yielding positive results
Cook has received recognition for her achievements throughout her career, including during her years as President of the Minnesota Retail Merchants Association prior to starting Cook Strong Sellwood. Cook has also served on numerous boards and organizations during her years as a leading government affairs professional in Minnesota.
Sarah Strong-Belisle
Partner
Sarah Strong-Belisle
Over the last decade she has gained a working knowledge on a variety of business and governmental issues, frequently leading ad hoc coalitions on complex issues. She is also known for her ability as a tough negotiator on behalf of clients, working tirelessly to achieve consensus among diverse groups on controversial issues. Strong-Belisle is also a gifted writer – her updates combine her wit with a unique political insight and are a favorite among clients.
A proven leader both inside the capitol and out, in April 2011 Strong-Belisle was named “#1 Rising Lobbyist” in a Politics in Minnesota survey of a bipartisan group of legislators, lobbyists and staff. She completed eight years of service on the Minnesota Government Relations Council Board of Directors, where she was selected by her peers to serve in a variety of leadership roles, including Board President. While in MGRC leadership, Strong-Belisle was the point person for the lobbying community on Minnesota’s significant Capitol restoration project and worked to ensure continued public access to the legislative process during the renovations. She served on the Walz-Flanagan Inaugural Committee, where she assisted in planning and executing the new administration’s inauguration day events.
Joe Sellwood
Partner
Joe Sellwood
Going into his tenth legislative session, Sellwood has been a key player in drafting and influencing the passage of critical legislation for his clients. Additionally, Sellwood has a strong understanding of the government procurement process, from pre-solicitation discussions, to the formal RFP and vendor response. His passion for politics and public policy is helping those inside and outside of the legislative world to better understand the issues that impact Minnesotans.
Sellwood understands the importance of teamwork and commitment, having served six years as an infantryman in the Minnesota Army National Guard. He spent nine months in Kosovo as part of Operation Enduring Freedom, achieved the rank of sergeant, with an honorable discharge in May, 2012.
Jim Girard
Of Counsel
Jim Girard
Girard has a depth of relationships with legislators and key staff in various state agencies, providing valuable insight and access to clients. As a legislator, executive in the Administration and government affairs professional, Girard has a keen understanding of issues and how to achieve positive outcomes.
During his time in the legislature, Girard was a leader in numerous successful public policy initiatives and was elected by his peers to serve on the House Republican Caucus Executive Committee. As Commissioner of Revenue in the Carlson Administration, Girard led all aspects of the state agency responsible for tax policy and revenue collection in the state—providing specialized knowledge and insight into Minnesota budget and tax policy. As a government affairs professional, Girard is a recognized leader on tax policy and economic development, business issues and is highly respected for being able to work across the political aisles. He has a proven ability to create and lead bipartisan coalitions to accomplish public policy goals.
Cook Strong Sellwood Ltd
525 Park Street, Suite 230
St. Paul, MN 55103
Phone: 651-917-6001
office@cookstrongsellwood.com
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