At the Monument Policy Group, every asset of the firm is deployed to help our clients, allowing us to utilize the expertise and energy of each partner and employee. Founded by C. Stewart Verdery in 2006, and including partners Timothy Punke, Andrew Howell, and Jessica Herrera-Flanigan, the Monument Policy Group offers clients a team that is bipartisan and bicameral, with experience in multiple branches and agencies of the federal government, as well as in the business and non-profit sectors.
C. Ste
wart Verdery, Jr. | Partner and Founder
Prior to founding Monument Policy Group, Stewart was the first Assistant Secretary for Policy and Planning at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security from 2003-05, responsible for immigration, transportation, and international trade policy at DHS. Previously, he worked for six years in Congress as General Counsel to Assistant Senate Majority Leader Don Nickles, Counsel to the Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Orrin Hatch, and Legislative Counsel to the Senate Rules Committee. He frequently appears as a media commentator, is an Adjunct Fellow at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, and held senior positions at Vivendi Universal and Baker & Hostetler. Read More About Stewart
Timothy E. Punke | Partner
Before leaving government service in 2005, Tim served as Chief International Trade Counsel to the Senate Finance Committee and Chairman Max Baucus. He also served as the Committee’s Communications Director on international issues. He previously worked as a policy advisor for the Clinton Administration at the White House National Economic Council. Tim has worked on several campaigns, including as a state director for the Gore-Lieberman 2000 presidential campaign. Tim has also taught business and law courses at Georgetown and George Washington Universities, and held a clerkship for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. Read More About Tim
Andrew P. Howell | Partner
Andrew joined Monument Policy Group in early 2007, after holding a variety of leadership positions at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. He founded and managed the organization's homeland security policy division, working with companies to advocate their interests before Congress and the Executive Branch. Prior to that, Andrew managed the Chamber's think-tank, the National Chamber Foundation, and led its work on issues including privacy, health care, transportation, and international trade. Earlier in his career, Andrew worked for a boutique public relations firm. Read More About Andrew
Jessica R. Herrera-Flanigan | Partner
An expert in media, technology, and national security, Jessica previously served as the Staff Director and General Counsel of the House Committee on Homeland Security. She also served as Senior Counsel with the Computer Crime & Intellectual Property Section at the Justice Department. She also was a Special Assistant U.S. Attorney. She began her career as an energy, communications, and intellectual property attorney at Crowell & Moring. She currently serves as a Senior Fellow at George Washington University and is a published author and a media commentator. Read More About Jess
Scott Corley | Senior Vice President
Scott is a recognized leader in the areas of technology and immigration who has honed his skills by working in a corporation, for a trade association, in the House, and in the Senate. He joined Monument Policy from Microsoft, where he focused on Senate outreach. Previously he served as Director of Government Relations for the Information Technology Industry Council (ITI), as a policy advisor to Senator George Allen, and as a commerce staffer for Rep. Jim Rogan. Read More About Scott
Rich Thomas | Senior Vice President
Rich is a Capitol Hill veteran who joined Monument Policy Group after nearly a decade of experience in the House of Representatives. As Legislative Director, Rich was responsible for Congressman Bill Pascrell's activity on the Ways and Means Committee, focusing on tax and international trade. Previously, Rich supported the Congressman's role on the Homeland Security Committee, and has a consistent record of success in navigating the legislative maze of Washington. Read More About Rich
Jane Alonso | Vice President
Jane Alonso served with Sen. Susan Collins for seven years, most recently as Legislative Director, where she handled a range of issues and oversaw Senator Collins's work as a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee. Jane also served as a Professional Staff Member on the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee from 2003-2005. Jane previously served as a staff member of Senator Bob Graham, and Representatives Ileana Ros-Lehtinen and John Mica. Read More About Jane
Ryan C. Spangler | Senior Director
Ryan serves Monument Policy Group's clients on matters relating to transportation, public lands, travel, housing, financial services, and sports. Prior to joining the firm in June 2007, Ryan was on the staff of Vice President Joseph Biden during his tenure in the U.S. Senate, where he worked closely with the staff of the Senate Judiciary and Foreign Relations Committee. Read More About Ryan
Lora Ries | Senior Counsel
Lora is a seasoned veteran of both the executive and legislative branches. She served as the first Policy Director for Immigration at the Department of Homeland Security, as well as a manager in the US-VISIT Program Office. On the Hill, Lora worked for Rep. Lamar Smith as Counsel on the House Subcommittee on Immigration, Border Security, and Claims. Lora began her career in the Attorney General's Honors Program at the Department of Justice. Read More About Lora