CAPSTONE NATIONAL PARTNERS - Key Persons
Alan represents the Washington, DC interests of high tech corporations, nationally known universities and research institutions and a variety of other clients. His relationships with Federal Agencies, on Capitol Hill and the Administration have developed over more than 25 years working in and around Washington, DC in public affairs and the political arena.
Prior to joining WHDGA, Alan served as Chief of Staff to Ron Kind (WI), overseeing Ron's legislative agenda. As chief architect of the Conservation Amendment to the 2002 Farm Bill, Alan brought together different constituencies in an attempt to reform federal Agriculture policies and refocus spending toward conservation. He is credited with setting the stage for ensuring that conservation, public health, family farmers and sustainable agriculture remain as part of future Farm Bills. During this time, Alan was also at the forefront of Army Corps Reform, working to ensure that future Army Corps water projects were economically and environmentally sound.
Ron Kind appointed Alan to Chair his first race for Congress. As well, Alan has held senior staff positions on various congressional and presidential campaigns, serving as Georgia State Director for John Glenn's Presidential race and Field Director for Doug Stevens for Congress. Alan's past policy and coalition building experience includes work for the Health Industry Manufacturers Association where, as Director of State Affairs he was responsible for building the national coalition that championed FDA reform and oversaw their state legislative programs. Earlier, Alan served as the National Field Director for the National Council of Senior Citizens, whose #1 legislative priority was universal healthcare. He built a national program - in fifty states - to train seniors on grassroots advocacy. Prior to that, Alan put his political skills to work as Political Director of the National Association of Homebuilders, organizing homebuilders to run as delegates to the presidential conventions and conducting workshops on political advocacy campaigns.
Alan's keen awareness of political intricacies, coupled with his vast array of business, education, non-profit and government experience has resulted in a comprehensive network of former associates and professional contacts.
Alan is a native of the Washington, DC area. He attended the University of Maryland where he received a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1982 and a Masters of Public Policy in 1986. He and his wife have one daughter.
Job Titles:
- Senior Associate in Washington
Chris Czarnecki is a Senior Associate in Washington, DC. and a skillful advocate who helps clients navigate the federal legislative and regulatory landscape (including the procurement process). He joins Capstone after spending the past four years on Capitol Hill serving as the Government Relations Manager for the Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA). During his time at ACCA, Chris's worked on a range of policy initiatives, including energy and efficiency, small business, taxes, workforce development and labor, the environment, and education. Chris previously worked for Congressman Jim Sensenbrenner of Wisconsin and began his career on the Hill in the office of Speaker Paul Ryan. He earned a bachelor's degree from Marquette University, majoring in Political Science. In 2021 he was named a ‘Top 40 Under 40' professional in the HVAC-R industry by ACHR News. Chris lives in Washington, D.C.
Diane Rogers draws on 25 years of experience working in state and federal government, offering clients expertise in public policy, politics, management, and strategic planning.
Prior to joining Capstone National Partners, Diane served as Vice President for Governmental and External Relations at The Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) where she advocated their policy interests and legislative issues regarding higher educational quality to Congress and the Executive branch.
Diane served in the Clinton Administration for eight years and was appointed by the former President to a variety of positions. Ms. Rogers was Chief of Staff to the Deputy Secretary of Education where she was the counselor and senior advisor to the Deputy Secretary responsible for all policy and management oversight of the U.S. Department of Education. She managed the development of policy initiatives in elementary and higher education, including Reauthorization of the Higher Education Act with the Administration. As well, she played a pivotal role in advising the Secretary on all sensitive political, policy and management issues.
Ms. Rogers also served as the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Student Financial Affairs and as its first Chief Operating Officer where she helped develop the organizational construct to create the first government Performance-Based Organization (PBO) within the Department to modernize student aid delivery - a results-driven organization created to deliver the best possible services. She managed the operation of the Title IV student financial assistance programs and led the transition of the office to become a PBO. She also oversaw the development of the Free Student Financial Aid Form (FAFSA) that became live on the web, now standard practice for higher education institutions receiving financial aid applications. Diane also served as Chief of Staff in the Office of Postsecondary Education.
Before her time in Washington, Diane spent several years working in state government as a Legislative Aide, Policy Analyst, and finally as Deputy Director of the Wisconsin State Senate Democratic Caucus. The nation's first statewide recycling law was passed during her tenure, as she was responsible for managing that issue legislatively for the Senate Democrats. She tracked legislative, budget and policy issues for the Caucus, particularly those related to education, the environment, tax policy and agriculture.
Ms. Rogers serves on two non-profit boards, The Afterschool Alliance, advocating for the needs of children in afterschool settings and on Phantom Lake YMCA Camp, based in Mukwonago, WI. Diane resides in Whitefish Bay, with her husband John and their two children.
John Rogers transformational leadership has impacted the life of virtually every American. His unique approach has put him at the helm of the Nation's largest privately held billion dollar transportation company, directing a national campaign around stem cells with Michael J Fox that flipped control of the US Senate, actively contributing in the war against terrorism where the Department of Defense hailed his work as "Break-through", capturing hundreds of millions of dollars in funding and contracts for his clients, and providing high-impact solutions for charitable organizations such as the Parkinson's Action Network (PAN) and the Brain Aneurysm Foundation, where he currently serves as Board Chair in honor of his late best friend.
This diverse array of successes made possible by Rogers' leadership each began with the same approach, a mindset as insightful as it is straightforward - "Everything is a Campaign."
Rogers's core worldview posits that most all challenges can be solved with the right mix of holistic thinking coupled with an effective HIGH-IMPACT campaign. The results of this approach speak for themselves while demonstrating the flexibility of his technique. From protecting 20,000 jobs in the mobility sector to bringing together the best minds in Hollywood and the intelligence community to reduce the risk of terrorism, Rogers' campaigns are defined by much more than simply winning or achieving desired outcomes. They have made a difference in the world.
This passion and desire to run high impact campaigns fueled by insight and grounded by integrity was formed at an early age. The product of Ronald "Buck" Rogers, a senior insurance company executive and WWII Veteran who opposed the Vietnam war, and Margaret Rogers, who became a Joycean scholar after applying her knowledge of music to solving a long-standing mystery in "Ulysses" that had eluded scholars for decades, the Rogers' household was one full of debate over solutions to the defining challenges of the day. Beyond the desire to make an impact and the early installation of the life defining values of insight and integrity, Rogers' parents gave him another gift - the ability to meld together their classic right brain left brain approaches.
While at the University of Iowa in the 1980's Rogers got hooked by the thrill of electoral politics and dove feet first into his first campaign, leaving school to pursue his desire to make an impact. His early career included a variety of senior positions in political campaigns and government. By the age of 32 he was named a Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense and a member of the Senior Executive Service.
After exiting government service, Rogers established himself as an entrepreneur creating several businesses, all related to running various forms of campaigns. Today his companies are RL Leaders which tackles vexing challenges for the national security community through the Deep Applied Creativity (™) process and Capstone National Partners, a bi-partisan lobbying team running high-impact campaigns in DC and throughout the nation. Additionally, he sits on several corporate and nonprofit boards including MV Transportation, Vendini and the Brain Aneurysm Foundation. He also works one-on-one with some of the world's top leaders and is a public speaker delivering keynotes on the importance of holistic thinking and the art of running high-impact campaigns.
When not on the road, John flexes his own creative muscles through painting and photography, and loves to spend time biking the kettles and moraines in his adopted state of Wisconsin. His first book, "Solving Big Challenges", which dives into the five key steps for running highly effective and high-impact campaigns, is scheduled to be published in 2018. From businesses and nonprofits to local and national governments, Rogers approach to achieving desired outcomes will forever change the way you think about campaigns and bring a fundamental mind-shift to any problems you may face.
Job Titles:
- VP / Director of State & Local Advocacy
John Dickert, VP / Director of State & Local Advocacy, brings clients over 35 years of policy experience working with local, county and state governments. With a keen awareness of issues, combined with political skills, he has provided meaningful strategic advice to companies and campaigns at all levels. John's passion for the environment coupled with his understanding of business give him a unique perspective of how appropriate government programs and support can benefit communities and clients' specific interests.
John is a recognized leader in the water and climate sectors and is well known for his ability to deliver results across the political spectrum. He has a passion for leading-edge water policy on a local - and global - level and clients will find John a true champion of innovative and sound water and climate policy.
Most recently, John led the State and Local Finance Division of the Department of Revenue. Appointed by Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers, the governor also tapped John to serve on the Wisconsin PFAS Action Council (WISPAC), tasked with developing statewide initiatives to address growing public health and environmental concerns regarding certain PFAS substances. Prior, John served as President/CEO of the Great Lakes St Lawrence Cities Initiative, an international group of Mayors dedicated to the Protection of the Great Lakes and St Lawrence Seaway.
John led Racine, Wisconsin as its mayor for three terms. During his tenure he was committed to revitalizing Racine - with a successful track record of supporting new businesses and expanding existing companies. Additionally, as a member of the U.S. Conference of Mayors Water Council and as Vice-Chair of the Metro Economies Committee, he gained an expertise in navigating government programs to positively impact a community's water supply and access. He was also elected by his peers to serve as the first President of the Urban Alliance of the League of Wisconsin Municipalities.
John's private sector experience includes the First Weber Group realtors for eight years, and four years with the law firm of Foley and Lardner, where he worked with clients like the Green Bay Packers and FPL Energy. Also, John lobbied for the Wisconsin Credit Union League and served two Wisconsin Congressmen - Les Aspin (1986 intern) and Peter Barca (1993-94) as District Director.
John graduated from the University of Wisconsin-LaCrosse with degrees in Political Science and Communications and was elected as the youngest County Board Supervisor in the city's history in 1984-86. John has presented to organizations internationally from the OECD (Paris) to colleges and universities.
Job Titles:
- President of the House Chiefs of Staff Alumni Association
John Weinfurter provides unparalleled knowledge of Washington, DC and the intricacies of the political process. Following a 20-year career on Capitol Hill as the Chief of Staff to the late U.S. Representative John Joseph Moakley (D-MA), where he served as the principal liaison to House Leadership through five presidential administrations and to the corporate and professional communities of Boston and Washington, he served as the President and CEO of the Congressional Economic Leadership Institute (CELI). CELI is a bipartisan and bicameral educational foundation designed to acquaint Members of Congress, their staffs, and corporate executives with emerging economic issues. During his tenure at CELI, Mr. Weinfurter administered over 200 sessions in the U.S. Senate and House, and brought CEOs, foreign heads of state, parliamentary delegations, authors, economists, cabinet secretaries, and regulatory agency leadership together in forums on economic growth and productivity.
Prior to joining Capstone, John was Vice President of the Government Relations Division for Witt O'Brien. Before that, he was president and a principal at the Washington, DC-based lobbying firm of KSCW, Inc.
For over a decade, John has provided government relations, strategic counsel, and monitoring and analysis of policy, legislative, and regulatory issues that affect clients from a broad spectrum of market sectors including healthcare, energy, insurance, accounting and financial services, international development, technology, education, aviation, and defense.
Mr. Weinfurter is also the current President of the House Chiefs of Staff Alumni Association (HCOSAA), an Alumni-driven educational professional organization that brings together former and current House Chiefs of Staff for networking events and presentations on current events. Additionally, HCOSAA administratively assists the House Chiefs of Staff Association, the organization representing current chiefs of staff.
Job Titles:
- Milwaukee Managing Director and Vice - President of Operations
Joyce, Milwaukee Managing Director and Vice-President of Operations, is based in Milwaukee, WI. She manages CNPs core business affairs and operational functions, including marketing, communications, finance and human resources.
She is the firm's principal writer utilizing her 25 years of experience and proven success in direct marketing, communications, new media technologies, political marketing and building public interest, political and charitable organizations.
Prior to joining CNP, Ms. Rubenstein was Vice President at A. B. Data, Inc. where she advised U.S. Senators and candidates, National Political Committees and not-for-profit political/charitable organizations, on how to translate public policy and issue trends into strategic political marketing and communications programs. Leading her teams of IT, creative, production and analytic professionals, Joyce developed sophisticated fundraising strategies, using on-line, direct mail, telemarketing and other direct response programs, that raised over $100 million dollars.
Before joining A. B. Data, Ms. Rubenstein worked in New York City as an Account Supervisor for Dresner, Morris & Torterello, a political polling and opinion research firm. Prior to that, she was a Legislative Assistant for Congresswoman Elizabeth Holtzman in Washington, DC.
During her career Ms. Rubenstein has won numerous professional awards (including Pollie and direct marketing awards) and has been a frequent presenter at national conferences. She serves on the board of Professional Dimensions, Vice-President of Programming.
Joyce graduated from Miami University, Oxford, Ohio and currently lives in Milwaukee, Wisconsin with her husband, son and Springer Spaniel.
Job Titles:
- Assistant in Capstone 's Washington
Luke is a legislative assistant in Capstone's Washington, DC office. He is joining Capstone full time, after having been a summer intern. Prior to joining Capstone. he also held internships in the offices of Congressman Mark Pocan (D-WI) and Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-DE). Luke also works with the Wisconsin Ideas Foundation, a non-profit dedicated to expanding the role of students in the public policy debate, where he serves as Treasurer. Luke graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with degrees in Political Science and Economics.
Ross Willkom is a member of the Capstone team. He is a 2006 graduate of Indiana University with a degree in political science and now works as CEO John Rogers' Executive Assistant.
Stanley White brings nearly 30 years of experience in the House of Representatives to the table on behalf of Capstone National Partners' clients. He served as Chief of Staff to Congressman Robert A. Brady (D-PA) from 1998 to January 2019. In addition to his management functions, Stan developed and implemented Brady's legislative, policy and political agendas, and oversaw his work on the powerful House Armed Services Committee (HASC). Until his retirement, Brady was the second most senior Democrat on the HASC, where he served on the Military Personnel Subcommittee.
Stan began his extensive political career as a volunteer on several campaigns before being hired employed as a fundraiser on the successful reelection campaign of Philadelphia Mayor W. Wilson Goode. From 1993 to 1998, Stan served as District Director and then Senior Legislative assistant for Congressman Tom Foglietta, who represented Philadelphia at the time. He also managed two of Foglietta's successful reelection campaigns. He managed Brady's first congressional campaign in 1998 and continues to assist Brady in his role as the longest serving Chairman of Philadelphia, PA's Democratic Party.
Job Titles:
- Adjunct Professor at the George Washington University
Will Stone brings to Capstone a unique understanding of the political process. As a longtime lobbyist and political activist, he is an expert on the inner workings of Congress. He has served as chief of staff to a senior member of the House of Representatives. Before he joined Capstone, he was a lobbyist at both Jefferson Consulting and Denny Miller Associates where he represented a diverse client base before the House, Senate and administration. He has worked on an array of issues including defense, appropriations, health care, information technology, energy, telecommunications, agriculture, environmental, combating child exploitation, campaign finance reform and others.
Previously, Will served as chief of staff to Rep. Dave Obey of Wisconsin, and acted as his chief policy adviser. He also spent four years as director of financial services for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee; a post that kept him engaged in House political campaigns across the country. Prior to that, Will worked as a senior consultant at Campbell, Falk & Selby, a public policy and political consulting firm. He also was a regional political director of the American Medical Association, and oversaw the polling program for AMA's nonpartisan political action committee. He started his career on the Hill in the office of Rep. Wyche Fowler of Georgia, working as a staff assistant on constituent issues. Will has been active in national Democratic politics, and has served on the backstage and podium staff for numerous Democratic national conventions, and has as been involved in every convention since 1984.
Currently, he serves on the boards of the Wisconsin Institute for Public Policy and Service at the University of Wisconsin and the National Association to Protect Children, and is proud to be a minority owner of the Green Bay Packers.
Will has served as an adjunct professor at the George Washington University, and has lectured at American University, Georgetown University, Michigan State University, the University of Maryland and other higher education institutions. He earned a bachelor's degree at American University in Washington, majoring in communications, law, economics and government.
Will is active in his community - including scouting, sports and other activities - and currently resides in the District of Columbia with his wife Anne; he has two children in college.