Devin Rhinerson – pacellp

Jim Wise, Of Counsel

Through representation of clients before the federal government, Jim has particular expertise in a multitude of policy areas, including financial services, Native American affairs, energy and the built environment, transportation policy, bankruptcy reform, defense contracting, and energy policy. Jim has testified before congressional committees on issues as broad as the development of the Federal Prompt Payment Act, the Bankruptcy Reform Act, and tribal health care funding programs. He has been involved consistently over the years in White House briefing sessions on issues dealing with energy development and efficiency, Tribal Self-Governance programs, and health care delivery programs for local governments. He has developed coalitions on behalf of clients for water resource formulas, Veteran’s Affairs support services, and small defense contracting initiatives. He is a regular contributor to trade publications in the areas of bankruptcy reform, tribal governmental programs, and policy issues pertaining to the relocation industry. Prior to establishing his own firm in 1988, Wise served as the Director of Legislative Services for the California State Controller. He also provided services to the California State Assembly in the area of taxation and land use policies. Additionally, he helped write computer programs to provide fundraising programs for political candidates and not-for-profit entities; these programs also incorporated financial reporting and transparency capabilities to meet government requirements. Jim is a graduate of Stanford University and remains an avid Los Angeles Dodgers fan.

Scott Lane, Partner

An authority on energy, transportation, international trade, and tax policy, Scott is also a well-known figure within House and Senate GOP leadership circles. His clients include Fortune Global 500 companies, national trade associations, political action committees, and small businesses. Scott began his career on Capitol Hill, where he worked for Senator Warren B. Rudman, who is recognized for his leadership on fiscal and budgetary issues. Following his service on the Hill, Scott was the lead government relations strategist for two leading national automotive trade associations. Scott has been a leader in the development of transportation policy that spans over 30 years. Scott has been at the forefront of the debate on efforts by the government to promote clean energy. He is credited with developing the successful strategy to secure tax credits to promote the use of alternative fuels in the transportation sector. Scott is a seasoned veteran in Washington’s political circles. While working on his thesis for his master’s degree, Scott volunteered in 1980 for the Howard Baker presidential campaign in New Hampshire and was on the campaign trail with him until his last presidential campaign event in Peoria, Illinois. Since then, he has worked on several presidential campaigns, as well as at several RNC conventions. In the Ronald Reagan Administration, Scott worked with the Office of Presidential Advance in the White House to advance President Reagan’s public policy goals. Scott served as the President’s personal representative on the Presidential advance teams for domestic trips, as well numerous international trips such as G-8 Economic Summits and US-Soviet Summits. Scott was honored to be selected to help plan and execute the funeral arrangements for President Reagan at the Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, California.

Bryan Vickers, Partner

For the past decade, Bryan has assisted clients in shaping and directing specific, business-focused agenda at the federal and state level. He provides policy analysis, develops issue positioning, and educates congressional and agency staff on client matters and issues. Areas of specialty and expertise include manufacturing, transportation, energy, energy efficiency, and air emissions. In his advocacy for clients at the federal level, Bryan prepares and drafts comments for agency dockets, along with written testimony for US congressional and numerous state-based legislative committees. He has established relationships with key agency staff at the Department of Energy, Environmental Protection Agency, and several agencies housed within the Department of Transportation. Prior to his government affairs work, Bryan was a regional manager for sales with Southeastern Optical.

Ash Arnett, Sr. Associate

Ash is the newest member of the PACE team. He brings a wealth of government affairs and professional experience focusing on health care, veterans issues, telecom, and financial services policy. Prior to joining PACE Ross worked in Congress for nearly six years with Rep. Raul Ruiz, M.D. As a member of Congressman Ruiz’s staff, he handled a variety of issues relating to policies before the House Energy and Commerce Committee. In addition to his policy experience, Ross also served as Communications Director and on-the-record spokesperson for Congressman Ruiz, managing his media and press interactions While serving in Rep. Ruiz’s office, Ross spearheaded the bipartisan Indian Health Service Task Force, helped pass legislation expanding access to broadband in underserved and rural areas, and led efforts to coordinate land use issues among the Federal, State and local governments.. Prior to working in Congress, Ross was Financial Services Consultant at PNC Bank.

Kevin Eastman, Vice President

Kevin became a member of the PACE team after serving for over 5 years as the Legislative Director to Congressman Doug LaMalfa of California. Kevin handled a variety of issues for the Congressman including veterans and defense spending issues, natural resource issues, federal contracting reform and land use issues. He served as the Congressman’ advisor for the Natural Resources Committee and has deep expertise in California water policy. Kevin also spent 7 years in Sacramento working for several members of the California State Assembly and State Senate. He is a native of California and a graduate of California State University, Sacramento.

Devin Rhinerson, Partner

Since leaving his legislative position in the Senate, Devin has become one of the most thoughtful, well-respected leaders in the Democratic Party. Devin’s diverse domestic policy expertise, political acumen, and ability to navigate Congress and the Administration, are a vital asset to PACE clients as they seek to resolve complex challenges with the federal government. Devin relishes the most difficult fights and has developed a reputation for accomplishing ambitious, long-term projects. Whether it is amending federal law, modifying regulations, securing funding, or just building awareness on critical issues, his success is comes from a reputation for honesty, hard-work and consistency–a formula instilled in him by his former boss, U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein. Thanks to his success, Devin has had the luxury of being selective with his projects. His curated group of clients span the agricultural, governmental, veteran, housing and natural resource sectors.

Scott Dacey, Managing Partner

Scott has been engaged in government affairs since 1983, having worked in the federal government, the Wisconsin State Legislature, and as a registered lobbyist and political consultant. In the mid 80’s he served as a staff member in the Wisconsin legislature’s Senate Republican Caucus and participated in a number of successful political campaigns throughout Wisconsin. In 1989, he was appointed by President George H.W. Bush to serve as legislative liaison for the Administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration. During his tenure he managed the implementation of several successful policy reform initiatives, including expanding the small business set-aside program to Indian tribes and native people. In 1991, Scott established a government affairs consulting presence in Washington, DC and has since focused primarily on matters impacting tribal governments, natural resources, trust land management, and gaming. In 1997, he took a leave from PACE to become the Chief of Staff at the National Indian Gaming Commission, the federal government’s lead regulatory agency of gaming conducted on tribal lands. Scott also brings a unique aspect to his work as a government relations consultant as he also serves as a local elected official in North Carolina, where he makes his home. First elected in 2010, he is one of seven commissioners serving on the Craven County Board of Commissioners, serving as chairman from 2012-2013. As an elected office holder he has gained a unique perspective on the dynamics that impact the work of a Member of Congress, from both the electoral perspective and through the development of public policy. Through this experience he is able to bring a unique understanding of how public policy initiatives need to be developed at the local level to be successful at the federal level Scott Dacey is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin at Milwaukee and holds a B.A. in Political Science.