These appointments serve as the operational engine for the firm’s growth evolution and the leadership transition involving President Johnathan Lozier, Chairman Mark Anderson, and CEO Michael Behm.

ARLINGTON, Va., Sept. 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Stateside Associates, the nation’s premier state and local government relations firm, today announced the promotion of Michelle Jones and Ethan Wilson, Esq., to the position of Principal. These appointments represent a significant milestone in the firm’s evolution, reinforcing a commitment to internal leadership development and positioning it to solve the most complex policy challenges in an increasingly uncertain environment for corporations, trade associations, and non-profits.

Mark Anderson, Chairman, stated, “Stateside’s foundation was built on a deep understanding of the state and local landscape. Elevating Michelle and Ethan to Principal represents a defining moment in our evolution, transitioning Stateside into an enterprise poised for unprecedented growth.”

Led by President Johnathan Lozier, the development of the new partnership tier reinforces Stateside’s institutional knowledge and organizational stability, and pairs with forward-looking innovation to drive an aggressive modernization strategy.

“We aren’t just preparing for the future of government relations; we are actively building it,” said President Johnathan Lozier. “With the addition of new principals, our leadership team offers unmatched advocacy expertise ensuring that we remain the premier government affairs firm for many years to come.”

Michelle Jones, MSW, has been promoted to Senior Vice President and Principal, recognizing her leadership in expanding Stateside’s capabilities, developing high-performing teams, and delivering innovative solutions for clients.

Ms. Jones currently leads Stateside’s newly formed Extended Workforce program, which helps clients respond quickly to evolving legislative and regulatory needs by providing them with flexible access to specialized advocacy experts across all 50 states.

With more than 20 years of experience, Ms. Jones brings a distinctive combination of public policy expertise, operational leadership, and a deep understanding of how government decisions affect organizations and the people they serve. In her expanded role, she will also lead Stateside’s Healthcare Practice and join the firm’s Technology Practice, strengthening Stateside’s ability to serve clients across two rapidly evolving and increasingly interconnected policy areas. 

The elevation of Ethan Wilson to General Counsel and Principal reflects his unique ability to combine legal acumen with policy strategy. In this role, Mr. Wilson will help Stateside expand its business portfolio and corporate governance. 

Mr. Wilson currently leads Stateside’s Financial Technology and Insurance practices and helps advise the Attorneys General practice. In addition to having deep relationships with policymakers across the country, Mr. Wilson’s strategic vision is backed by his influential leadership roles at national policy organizations. He currently serves as Vice President of the National Conference of State Legislatures Foundation for State Legislatures Board of Directors, and as President of the OpenRoad Foundation where he drives advocacy for peer-to-peer car sharing and transportation innovation. Mr. Wilson is licensed to practice law in Colorado and New York.

“We have always grown by investing in our people. Both Michelle and Ethan are integral parts of the strongest talent bench in the industry and the company’s history,” said President Johnathan Lozier. “As we modernize our tools and expand our reach, we remain anchored by our promise to provide our clients with a competitive advantage, solidifying Stateside as the gold standard in state and local affairs.”

“We are evolving to meet the rising demands of our clients. Strengthening our executive team gives us the operational scale needed to accelerate our momentum and define the next era of state-level advocacy,” said Michael Behm, CEO.

About Stateside Associates
Founded in 1988, Stateside Associates is the leader in state and local government relations. Combining deep political expertise with innovative advocacy tools, Stateside provides comprehensive issue monitoring, strategic consulting, public official engagement, and grassroots management. Operating across all 50 states and the District of Columbia, Stateside’s multidisciplinary team of veteran issue managers, former state officials, and regulatory specialists helps clients navigate complex legislative and regulatory landscapes.

Website: Stateside.com

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SOURCE Stateside Associates