Bradley Peterson – Executive Director
Phone: 651-259-1911
Email: bmpeterson@flaherty-hood.com
Key subject areas: Local Government Aid, Property Taxes, General CGMC Administration
Bradley began representing the CGMC as a lobbyist in 2007 and has served as the organization’s executive director since 2018. In that role, he provides operational direction for the CGMC while also leading its lobbying efforts at the Capitol. Bradley also works closely on property tax and Local Government Aid issues, ensuring that CGMC members have the tools they need to create vibrant communities. An attorney, Bradley is a graduate of Gustavus Adolphus College and earned a law degree from the Hamline University School of Law.
Elizabeth Wefel – Attorney/Lobbyist
Phone: 651-259-1924
Email: eawefel@flaherty-hood.com
Key subject areas: Environment & Energy, Land Use & Annexation, Capital Investment
Elizabeth is the lead lobbyist for the CGMC on annexation and land use as well as environmental issues where she works to secure funding for critical wastewater infrastructure and ensure water quality rules are balanced and backed by state funding. Elizabeth is a graduate of Macalester College and earned a law degree from the University of Minnesota Law School.
Shane Zahrt – Attorney/Lobbyist
Phone: 651-259-1906
Email: sazahrt@flaherty-hood.com
Key subject areas: Transportation, Economic Development, New Member Recruitment
Shane is the lead lobbyist for the CGMC on transportation issues, where he works to secure funding for transportation needs in rural Minnesota through programs like Municipal Street Aid, Corridors of Commerce, and the Small Cities Assistance Program. Shane is a graduate of the University of North Dakota and earned his law degree from the William Mitchell College of Law.
Marty Seifert – Lobbyist
Phone: 651-259-1905
Email: mjseifert@flaherty-hood.com
Key subject areas: LGA, Property Taxes, Transportation
Marty provides lobbying support for the CGMC on property tax, LGA and transportation issues. A resident of Marshall, Marty is a former legislator, having served in the Minnesota House of Representatives from 1996 until 2010. He served as the minority leader of the Republican caucus from 2006 to 2009, and ran for governor of Minnesota in 2010 and 2014. Marty is a graduate of Southwest Minnesota State University.
Brandon Fitzsimmons – Attorney
Phone: 651-259-1910
Email: bmfitzsimmons@flaherty-hood.com
Key subject areas: Labor & Employee Relations
Brandon is a shareholder attorney at Flaherty & Hood, P.A. and is the lead attorney for the CGMC’s labor and employee relations program, which provides expert legal advice and representation to CGMC members on various personnel issues. Brandon is a graduate of Creighton University and earned a law degree from William Mitchell College of Law.
Alex Wildfang – Media & Communications Associate
Phone: 651-259-1917
Email: ahwildfang@flaherty-hood.com
Key subject areas: Media & Communications, Press Relations
Alex leads the development and implementation of communications strategies for the CGMC, including media outreach and content creation. Her primary focus includes researching, composing, and editing materials such as press releases, social media content, newsletters, and legislative policy briefs. Her role also includes supporting the work of the lobbying team at the Minnesota Capitol and assisting in the execution of CGMC events. Alex graduated summa cum laude from Florida International University, earning a bachelor’s degree in Political Science and International Relations with an emphasis on Mass Communications.
Darielle Dannen – Lobbyist
Phone: 651-259-1908
Email: djdannen@flaherty-hood.com
Key subject areas: Economic Development, Capital Investment
Darielle is a lobbyist for the CGMC on economic development issues where she works to secure funding for programs impacting child care, housing, workforce development, and public infrastructure. Darielle is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin – La Crosse and earned a Juris Doctor from Hamline University School of Law.
Emma Cliff – Association Management Program Coordinator
Phone: 651-259-1929
Email: etcliff@flaherty-hood.com
Key subject areas: Membership, Operations, Events
Emma assists the Association Management team in coordinating projects and services for the CGMC. She also provides day-to-day administrative support, membership management and outreach, and event and meeting planning. Emma is a graduate of the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities with a bachelor’s degree in political science and a minor in business law.
Lily Hijazi-Sacay – Lobbyist
Phone: 651-259-1915
Email: lrsacay@flaherty-hood.com
Key subject areas: Emergency Medical Services (EMS)
Lily provides lobbying support for the CGMC on emergency medical services (EMS) issues. Lily has an extensive background in health, human services, and housing, as well as valuable experience advancing legislation at the Capitol. Lily is a graduate of the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities and earned a bachelor’s degree in Political Science with a minor in Arabic.
Emma Nelson – Director of Association Management
Phone: 651-259-1936
Email: ennelson@flaherty-hood.com
Key subject areas: Membership, Operations, Events
Emma works with the CGMC to manage day-to-day operations and member relations. She also directs the planning and execution of CGMC events and outreach programs. Emma enjoys streamlining existing processes and implementing new systems to help the CGMC run smoothly behind the scenes. She is a graduate of Gustavus Adolphus College with bachelor’s degrees in political science and Spanish.
Derrick Miedaner – Director of Policy Research & Analytics
Phone: 651-259-1922
Email: djmiedaner@flaherty-hood.com
Key subject areas: Economic & Public Policy Analysis
Derrick provides economic and public policy analysis and consultation for local governments and public-private partnerships. Derrick’s experience centers around providing consultation on complex economic policy issues and strong data driven analysis to both local and state-level professional and municipal groups. Derrick is a graduate of the University of Minnesota Humphrey School of Public Affairs with an M.P.P in Economic Policy.