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Local Government Advocacy.
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MEET OUR TEAM
PRESIDENT
Joe Krahn, president and managing partner of Paragon Government Relations, co-directs the firm’s day-to-day operations and provides hands-on lobbying services for the firm’s clients. A 30-year veteran of Paragon, Joe has dedicated nearly his entire professional career to promoting the interests of county governments before Congress and Executive Branch departments and agencies.
During his tenure with the firm, Joe has partnered with a number of organizations, large and small, to help them build and sustain successful federal government relations programs. From statewide associations to individual county governments, Joe works closely with clients to maximize their input in the legislative and regulatory arenas. Joe also has considerable experience building coalitions as a means to leverage support for client initiatives. Joe has policy expertise in the area of water and natural resources, transportation, justice and public safety, and tribal affairs. He has developed an outstanding reputation on Capitol Hill, among his colleagues, and within local government circles as an effective and trustworthy advocate. Joe also regularly appears before client groups and other audiences to provide his perspective on matters of policy and politics.
Prior to joining Paragon Government Relations, Joe worked as a foster care case manager at a private non-profit agency in Chicago, Illinois. As a case manager, he gained valuable experience providing direct social services to children and families in the city’s foster care system. Joe holds a Juris Master degree from George Mason University School of Law, and a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from Loyola University Chicago.
Joe Krahn
Vice PRESIDENT
Tom Joseph
Tom Joseph, vice president and managing partner of Paragon Government Relations, co-directs the firm's daily operations and heads up the firm’s health and human services practice. His lobbying expertise, experience, and knowledge are reflected in an impressive 30-plus year history representing county governments. As such, he is highly regarded by members of Congress and the administration, as well as clients and colleagues alike.
Tom served over 16 years with the National Association of Counties (NACo) and was deputy director of the Legislative Department, overseeing its overall policy process. He provided policy direction and briefed elected officials serving on NACo’s Health and Human Services Steering Committees, as well as professional affiliates of county department heads responsible for administering health and human services programs.
Tom also served seven years as one of the chief advocates for Los Angeles County’s Washington Office, working closely with the County’s 20-member congressional delegation. In that capacity, Tom lobbied on a wide variety of issues on behalf of the Board of Supervisors. Tom holds a Master of Public Policy from Duke University and a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology from St. Olaf College in Minnesota.
Senior legislative Associate
Hasan Sarsour
Hasan Sarsour is a proven advocate for the firm’s clients, serving county governments on such issues as energy policy, agriculture, natural resources, public lands, and emergency management. Prior to joining Paragon Government Relations in 2011, Hasan worked on the House Energy and Commerce Committee. As a committee staff member, he assumed responsibility for legislative issues within the panel’s jurisdiction and was closely involved in hearings, briefings, and strategic initiatives to advance the chairman’s legislative agenda.
While on Capitol Hill, Hasan also served as a legislative assistant to a member of Congress from New York. In that capacity, he developed, planned, and advised the congressman on a range of domestic policy objectives, including health care policy, transportation projects, infrastructure issues, appropriations, and the federal budget. He also counseled the congressman on issues arising before the House Judiciary Committee.
Hasan is a graduate of James Madison University in Virginia, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science
Senior legislative Associate
Rachel Mackey
Rachel Mackey is a seasoned government affairs professional with experience advocating for county government priorities in the areas of human services, education, veterans and military services. During her five years as the Legislative Director for Human Services and Education/Veterans and Military Services at NACo, Rachel built strong relationships with key lawmakers, agencies, and the administration to influence pressing legislative and regulatory matters impacting county governments and worked directly with county leaders to develop and promote best practices for implementing federal policies at the local level. Rachel also led NACo’s work with the Local Government Legal Center to help shape the outcome of significant Supreme Court cases for county governments through persuasive and effective legal advocacy.
Before joining the team at NACo, Rachel served for two years as Director of Policy and Research at First Focus, a bipartisan child advocacy organization, where she specialized in policy analysis and government relations related to federal budget and appropriations policy, child hunger and nutrition, and family tax policy.
Rachel earned her Master in Public Policy from Georgetown University and her Bachelor of Arts degree in public policy from Duke University.
Loyalty
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