Meet Team GSI
Rina Venturini
Rina Venturini represents the new lobbying ethic in Sacramento. As a former Democratic staffer for legendary Speaker Willie Brown and Assemblywoman Valerie Brown, Rina maintains close personal ties with members of the legislature, senior legislative staff, and the powerful Latino Caucus. Rina actively works the legislative offices of the Capitol and the Governor's office and is one of Sacramento's most well-respected lobbyists. GSI benefits from her counsel and expertise on a wide array of issues, including energy and telecommunications policy, land use, financial services, and agricultural issues.
Rina Venturini represents the new lobbying ethic in Sacramento. As a former Democratic staffer for legendary Speaker Willie Brown and Assemblywoman Valerie Brown, Rina maintains close personal ties with members of the legislature, senior legislative staff, and the powerful Latino Caucus. Rina actively works the legislative offices of the Capitol and the Governor's office and is one of Sacramento's most well-respected lobbyists. GSI benefits from her counsel and expertise on a wide array of issues, including energy and telecommunications policy, land use, financial services, and agricultural issues.
John Benton
John Benton has nearly twenty years of legal and government relations experience, having managed state government affairs operations for several major U.S. companies. He has an extensive background representing clients before the California Legislature and state regulatory agencies, and has served on the executive committees for several major California ballot campaigns.
Yolanda Benson
Yolanda Benson has a vast experience in public policy, legislative, environmental and political affairs. Most recently, she served in Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Administration in various capacities as Deputy Legislative Secretary and as Deputy Secretary for Jobs, Economic Development and Trade for the State of California. Her past experiences working in the California State Legislature, the California Environmental Protection Agency and the California Chamber of Commerce have given her a reputation of someone who can get the job done.
Yolanda Benson has a vast experience in public policy, legislative, environmental and political affairs. Most recently, she served in Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Administration in various capacities as Deputy Legislative Secretary and as Deputy Secretary for Jobs, Economic Development and Trade for the State of California. Her past experiences working in the California State Legislature, the California Environmental Protection Agency and the California Chamber of Commerce have given her a reputation of someone who can get the job done.
Kerry Mazzoni
Kerry Mazzoni is one of California's foremost experts on education policy, having served as Secretary for Education for former Governor Gray Davis and as Chair of the Assembly Education Committee. During her tenure in the State Assembly (1994-2000), Kerry developed a reputation as a consensus builder, and was able to garner support from both Democrats and Republicans on several important policy initiatives. She brings a keen lobbying perspective to Government Strategies and broad expertise in health care, transportation, banking and finance, energy, and housing and community development.
Kerry Mazzoni is one of California's foremost experts on education policy, having served as Secretary for Education for former Governor Gray Davis and as Chair of the Assembly Education Committee. During her tenure in the State Assembly (1994-2000), Kerry developed a reputation as a consensus builder, and was able to garner support from both Democrats and Republicans on several important policy initiatives. She brings a keen lobbying perspective to Government Strategies and broad expertise in health care, transportation, banking and finance, energy, and housing and community development.
Herb Schmidt
Herb Schmidt offers his expertise in agricultural issues, specializing in alcohol, wine and winegrape advocacy. For 15 years, Herb served as Vice President of Public Affairs for Robert Mondavi Winery. He is currently a board member for Pierce's Disease/Glassywinged Sharpshooter Statewide Program, in addition to serving on the board of directors of numerous wine and winegrape industry organizations. His extensive knowledge of agricultural issues and his experience at the state, federal and international levels brings a unique perspective to GSI.
Herb Schmidt offers his expertise in agricultural issues, specializing in alcohol, wine and winegrape advocacy. For 15 years, Herb served as Vice President of Public Affairs for Robert Mondavi Winery. He is currently a board member for Pierce's Disease/Glassywinged Sharpshooter Statewide Program, in addition to serving on the board of directors of numerous wine and winegrape industry organizations. His extensive knowledge of agricultural issues and his experience at the state, federal and international levels brings a unique perspective to GSI.
K. Mike Miller
Mike Miller brings a federal perspective and capability to GSI having begun his political career in Washington, DC working for the Republican National Committee, two members of Congress, and the Senate Budget Committee. Mike is both an attorney and a CPA and maintains his active membership in the District of Columbia Bar. He brings strong corporate government affairs experience to the firm while maintaining his relationships in Washington, DC.
Mike Miller brings a federal perspective and capability to GSI having begun his political career in Washington, DC working for the Republican National Committee, two members of Congress, and the Senate Budget Committee. Mike is both an attorney and a CPA and maintains his active membership in the District of Columbia Bar. He brings strong corporate government affairs experience to the firm while maintaining his relationships in Washington, DC.
Peggy Watson
Peggy brings extensive and diverse experience in state-mandated lobbyist-employer reporting to GSI. She manages the complicated and unique California lobbying and political contribution reporting requirements for clients in addition to handling the firm's bookkeeping and financial matters.
Janet Cassie
Janet Cassie has many years of varied administrative and professional experience with the California Legislature and the Executive Branch. In addition to positions in the Lt. Governor's office, the consulting office for the Speaker of the Assembly, and the Senate Rules Committee, Janet most recently served as Legislative Assistant for a member of the State Assembly. Her experience and contacts in government put her in a unique position to run the administrative and legislative functions of GSI.
Janet Cassie has many years of varied administrative and professional experience with the California Legislature and the Executive Branch. In addition to positions in the Lt. Governor's office, the consulting office for the Speaker of the Assembly, and the Senate Rules Committee, Janet most recently served as Legislative Assistant for a member of the State Assembly. Her experience and contacts in government put her in a unique position to run the administrative and legislative functions of GSI.