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At Government Strategies Group, we promise to serve our clients and community ethically and with a mission to bring more growth, vibrancy, and support to the Greater Cincinnati region. We work together as a team to leverage our deep experience and relationships to give your organization, project or mission a voice in the process, eliminate obstacles, and help you succeed.

Our Team

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Charles “Chip” Gerhardt

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Jim Benedict

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Anne Sesler

Doug Moormann

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Alana Tucker

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Strategic Partners

Mark Mallory is President and CEO of Mark Mallory & Associates, LLC, a consulting firm focused on urban revitalization, economic development, transportation, and sustainability. Prior to starting his consulting firm, he served as the 68th Mayor of the City of Cincinnati. He was first elected Mayor in 2005 and was re-elected in 2009. His election marked a new era for City Hall as the first two-term Mayor under the City’s new Stronger-Mayor system, the first directly-elected black Mayor. Mark previously served in the Ohio House of Representatives and Ohio Senate.

Strategic Partners

Mark Mallory is President and CEO of Mark Mallory & Associates, LLC, a consulting firm focused on urban revitalization, economic development, transportation, and sustainability. Prior to starting his consulting firm, he served as the 68th Mayor of the City of Cincinnati. He was first elected Mayor in 2005 and was re-elected in 2009. His election marked a new era for City Hall as the first two-term Mayor under the City’s new Stronger-Mayor system, the first directly-elected black Mayor. Mark previously served in the Ohio House of Representatives and Ohio Senate.

Vehr Communications is a fully integrated marketing communications agency that helps brands think deeply, create boldly and engage completely. It partners with some of Greater Cincinnati’s most cherished brands on strategic planning and positioning; issues management and crisis communications; internal and external communications; community and media relations; content development; design; and social media engagement.

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Government Strategies Group
700 Walnut Street
Suite 450
Cincinnati, OH 45202

Phone: 513.651.4100

In The News

Will It Stay or Will It Go?

Will it stay or will it go? That was the question on tennis enthusiasts’ minds across the region and beyond when the news broke last year that the United States Tennis Association had sold the 124-year-old Western & Southern Open tennis tournament to Beemok Capital, a company based in Charleston, South Carolina.

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Charles “Chip” Gerhardt

President & CEO

Chip Gerhardt has made government affairs, economic development, and issue advocacy his life’s work. He’s worked for decades in the public and private sectors, and advocated at the local, state, and federal levels of government. In 2007, he used that experience to found Government Strategies Group, a full-service government relations firm. At GSG, he works directly with clients, helping them navigate the complicated intersection of politics, public policy, and business.

In his many years in public policy, Chip has been involved in significant policies including; creation of tax increment financing districts, the Clean Ohio program, Cincinnati City Center Development Corporation, and most importantly, the passage of the Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act. He has also been at the forefront of some of the biggest developments in Greater Cincinnati, including the Horseshoe (now Hard Rock) Casino, TQL Stadium for FC Cincinnati, parking garage structures at The Banks, and the redevelopment of the @580 building. Rarely is there a public policy endeavor in Cincinnati that does not involve GSG.

Chip received his B.B.A in Marketing from the University of Notre Dame and his Juris Doctor from the St. Louis University School of Law. He lives in Anderson Township with his wife Jane. Son Charlie is a local chef and children Hank and Anne have completed their education and started lives of their own.

Focus areas:

  • State and local government relations
  • Economic development
  • Issue advocacy

Driven by:

  • A lifelong interest in the political system has driven Chip to a career in public policy and politics. As a parent of three, one with Down syndrome, has compelled him to promote public policies designed to help others. Whether it is enabling financial independence for people with disabilities, advancing funding for housing families facing homelessness, or assisting with economic development projects, Chip involves himself in things that make a positive difference. 

In the community:

  • Hamilton County Board of Elections member
  • Current Board Member for Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati, People Working Cooperatively, Corporation for Findlay Market, goVibrant, and the African American Chamber of Commerce
  • Former Chairman of the Board for the National Down Syndrome Society
  • Former board member of the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden, the Cincinnati Museum Center, the Cincinnati Metropolitan Housing Authority, the Clermont County Chamber of Commerce, and the Down Syndrome Association of Greater Cincinnati
  • Cincinnati Magazine’s 300 of the Region’s Most Powerful Business Leaders, 2021-2022
  • Cincy Magazine Power 100, 2011-2022

James T. Benedict

Vice President

Jim Benedict brings a broad background and many years’ experience in government affairs and economic development to Government Strategies Group.

Jim Benedict’s expertise encompasses government affairs and economic development at every level. Jim’s former and current practices focus on local, state, and executive government affairs services. As a negotiator, he’s helped public and private-sector clients save millions of dollars thanks to his advocacy with state and local governments. Whether it’s drafting new legislation, organizing community support for bills, or preparing legislative analyses, Jim’s experience helps clients succeed.

Jim earned a Bachelor of Business Administration Degree from Ohio University in Management and International Business with a minor in French. Jim and his wife Melissa live in Symmes Township with their two sons.

Focus areas: 

  • Local, state and executive government affairs
  • Economic Development

 

Driven by:

  • Helping clients succeed
  • Golf, Xavier basketball, and the band Phish

In the community:

  • United Way of Greater Cincinnati Ohio Public Policy Committee member
  • Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber’s Government Affairs/Policy and Ballot Issues Committee member
  • The Cure Starts Now Cancer Foundation Strategic Advisory Council member
  • Former member of the Charter Committee of Greater Cincinnati Board, the Cincinnati USA Partnership Regional Business Retention Committee, and the Xavier University Williams School of Business Executive Mentor Program

Anne C. Sesler

Director of Public Affairs and Strategy

Anne Sesler brings more than twenty years’ experience in public affairs consulting to Government Strategies Group. Anne works with local elected officials, state legislators, reporters and community leaders on behalf of corporate and non-profit clients developing community outreach and engagement strategies, conducts media relations, builds grassroots support for projects, and conducts communication with stakeholders and legislators.

Anne lends her public policy and political communication experience beyond GSG to her role as Vice Chair of the Hamilton County Democratic Party. Over the years, she’s offered political counsel to both state and local campaigns, including Preschool Promise, Ohio Jobs and Growth (the casino ballot initiative), United for Jobs and Ohio’s Future (Third Frontier), and many others. Anne lives in Mt. Lookout with her husband, Bryan.

Focus areas: 

  • Local government relations
  • Communications and public affairs
  • Coalition building

Driven by:

  • Making Cincinnati a better place
  • Childrens’ mental health
  • Local government and politics

In the community:

  • Cincinnati Planning Commission member
  • Lunken Airport Oversight and Advisory Board Chair
  • Cincinnati Democratic Committee Co-Chair
  • Hamilton County Democratic Party, Vice Chair
  • Cincinnati Regional Chamber’s WE Lead Class of 2013 member
  • Cincinnati Charter Review Task Force, member
  • Mt. Lookout Community Council member

J. Douglas Moormann

Vice President
Development Strategies Group

Doug Moormann brings more than twenty-five years of experience creatively linking people with the government to solve problems. He works primarily in economic development.

Before his work with DSG, Doug served the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber as both the Vice President of Economic Development and Vice President of Government Affairs. There, he led initiatives to build the local economy through business attraction, job retention, and regional marketing. He also helped secure funds to replace the Brent Spence Bridge and launch numerous community projects. His career began as a legislative aide to then-Congressman Mike DeWine before moving to state politics with former Governor Bob Taft and former Lt. Governor Maureen O’Connor. 

Doug is a proud Flyer and graduate of the University of Dayton. Doug, his wife Kimberly, and their children live in Madeira where he serves as Vice Mayor.

Focus areas: 

  • Economic Development
  • Third Frontier
  • State and local tax incentives

In the community:

  • Madeira Vice Mayor and Planning Commission Member
  • The Ohio Transportation Review and Advisory Council board member
  • Board of Directors of the European American Chamber of Commerce member
  • The Greater Cincinnati Workforce Network board member
  • The Tri-ED Board of Directors member
  • Brent Spence Bridge Corridor Advisory Committee member
  • The Southwest Ohio Regional Workforce Investment Board member
  • The St. Francis DeSales Festival Committee board member
  • The Governing Board of the Office of the Ohio Consumers’ Counsel by appointment of the Ohio Attorney General
  • Graduate of Leadership Cincinnati, Class 30

Alana M. Tucker

Senior Director of Government Affairs

Alana Tucker is passionate about local government and community engagement. Alana served three years as a Councilwoman in the City of Cheviot. Having served as an elected official, she has firsthand experience on issues impacting local communities and how to best communicate with government administration and elected leaders.

Alana joined Government Strategies Group in 2014. As GSG’s Senior Director of Government Affairs she specializes in government relations, political strategy and communications.

Prior to GSG, Alana was a Community Outreach Director for Cincinnati City Councilwoman Amy Murray where she focused on issues such as public services, transit, city budget and community relations.

Alana has been involved in political campaigns for nearly 20 years, including presidential, congressional and local campaigns. Her campaign work has included fundraising, grassroots outreach, communications and political strategy. Alana began her career in education as a high school teacher in Northwest Local School District, and continues to maintain her teaching license.

Alana received her Bachelor of Arts in History and Political Science, as well as a Masters Degree in Education from Miami University. Alana is a lifelong Westsider, residing in Green Township with her husband Gary and their son, Jackson.

Focus areas: 

  • State and local government affairs
  • Political strategy
  • Communications
  • Sector focus: Arts and Culture, Education, Human Services and Nonprofits, Municipalities  

Driven by:

  • I believe in making our community better. Whether I’m working with clients or serving on a board, my goal is to create a better place for my neighbors and my son.

In the community:

  • Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden Ambassador Council
  • Hamilton County Commission on Women and Girls
  • Hamilton County Republican Party, Executive Board member
  • SHELeads, Executive Board member
  • Western Economic Council, Board member
  • Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber, WE Lead Class 11 
  • JoAnn Davidson’s Leadership Institute, Member 
  • City of Cheviot, Former Councilmember

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