ALMEIDA PUBLIC AFFAIRS - Key Persons
Colin Marsh joined the firm in December 2010. He has legislative experience with the House Republican Caucus as well as the House Republican Campaign Committee. Mr. Marsh is known for his strategic thinking and creative approach when assisting clients navigate Minnesota's complex political landscape. He has an excellent track-record helping clients accomplish legislative goals in challenging environments. He is a graduate of Palm Beach Atlantic University, and taught English to Spanish speakers in Panama City, Panama for a year. Colin was selected as a 2012-13 Humphrey Institute Policy Fellow at the University of Minnesota.
Cristine Almeida, Attorney at Law, has been active in politics and public policy for over 20 years. She was Chief of Staff of the Minnesota Senate from 2004-2005, and prior to that was an attorney in private practice. She has also worked on numerous statewide and local campaigns over the past two decades, both as paid staff and as a volunteer. In 2012, Almeida chaired the Board of Directors for the Minnesotans United for All Families campaign, the first campaign in the nation to defeat a same-sex marriage ban constitutional amendment. The campaign raised over $12 million and executed the largest grassroots and communications plan in Minnesota's history to defeat the measure. She was a Senior Advisor to the winning Clean Water, Land and Legacy constitutional amendment campaign in 2008, and that year was also a delegate to the Democratic National Convention. She is a member and former officer of the Minnesota Hispanic Bar Association.
Ms. Almeida is a graduate of the William Mitchell College of Law and the University of Wisconsin-Madison. In 2015 she served as a member of the delegation joining Governor Mark Dayton on a trade mission to Mexico. She was selected by the University of Minnesota's center for German and European Studies to attend a week-long policy exchange in Berlin, Germany in October of 2011. In 2007, she was a Marshall Memorial Fellowship winner, and traveled for one month in Europe as part of an international relations and public policy fellowship program. She is also a 2002-2003 Humphrey Institute Policy Fellow. Ms. Almeida is a frequent speaker and lecturer at CLEs, area colleges and law schools on the legislative process, negotiations, and various law and legislative topics.
David Bergman joined Almeida Public Affairs as a session-only legislative associate in 2021 and is back for the 2022 session. He is an Army veteran and served in Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in 2010 and 2013. After his military service, David worked for an IT managed service provider and later majored in political science at the University of Minnesota. When not listening to podcasts on the Supreme Court, he is working on his drop shots on the pickleball court.
Julia Donnelly joined Almeida Public Affairs in December 2016. She comes to the firm after serving as Political and Legislative Director for Minnesota's largest construction union, where she oversaw public policy operations in three Midwestern states. She has also managed a successful congressional campaign and worked on Capitol Hill. Julia brings a unique set of skills, and is dedicated to consistent communication, relationship building, and strategic advising. She graduated from the University of Minnesota with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science.
Stephen Rubis joined the firm in January 2022. Prior to joining the firm, he had 14 years of legislative experience as the top House Republican staffer on the Taxes and Property Tax Committees. He is most proud of his work around student loan relief and 529 college savings plans. Stephen brings a wealth of both legislative and political knowledge, helping clients in their pursuits at the Capitol.
Stephen graduated from Concordia College in Moorhead. Stephen married his wife Bethany in 2016 and they have two children: Stephen and Lola. When not busy chasing them around or working, Stephen can be found at one of Minnesota's many golf courses, on a lake fishing, or hunting in the fall.