OUR LOBBYISTS
Meet our Lobbyists
Tom Poul • Attorney
Thomas Poul is a highly regarded government relations attorney with three decades of public policy experience. His effective advocacy is built on a foundation of strong capitol relationships, expert knowledge of the political and legislative process, exceptional communication skills, and a collegial advocacy approach. Tom works closely with his clients to understand their goals, develops a strategic plan to deliver results and most importantly makes certain his representation accurately reflects the clients broader goals and overall mission.
Tom’s work in government relations includes legal and legislative representation at the Minnesota Legislature, State Agencies, and the Executive Branch support, counsel on regulatory matters, state and local government procurement assistance as well as political advice and counsel. He assists many different types of clients to strategically navigate government including corporations, trade associations, nonprofits, as well as local governments. Tom’s areas of expertise includes health care, education, tax policy, insurance, municipal and public finance and technology. However, he also has significant experience representing clients in the areas of capital investment, transportation, energy, commerce, and procurement.
Tom is committed to success. Meeting client needs and delivering results are essential and part of the uncompromising commitment Tom brings to every client relationship. Tom has supported initiatives for some of the most complex, high profile legislation ever enacted in Minnesota. Among those success stories are the Minnesota Twins Ballpark, Hiawatha Light Rail Transit project, marriage equality legislation and the St. Paul Saints CHS Field.
Prior to co-founding the Poul Haas government relations law firm, Tom spent twenty- five years with Messerli Kramer where he served in various leadership roles, including Shareholder, Government Relations Division Chair and on the Firm’s Board of Directors. He has also served in legal and legislative leadership roles with the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry, and the Office of the State Auditor. Tom started his government experience in Washington D.C. with Congressman Bill Frenzel and was also a Judicial Law Clerk for the Honorable James Campbell.
Education
Mitchell Hamline School of Law • J.D.
University of Minnesota Duluth • B.A.
ADMISSIONS
Minnesota
HONORS AND DISTINCTION
- Minnesota Lawyer’s Minnesota Legal 250 Recognition – 2026
- Minnesota Top Lawyers Award, Minnesota Monthly 2025
- Lobbyist of the Year (team), Politics in Minnesota and the St. Paul Legal Ledger Capitol Report, 2014
- Rising Star, Minnesota Law & Politics, 2002-2007
- John Collier Award, in recognition of outstanding contributions in the field of business and finance, 2006
- Campfire Spirit Award, in recognition of non-profit support, 2004
PROFESSIONAL AND COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
- Mn Chamber of Commerce Education and Workforce Development Policy Committee – Current
- University of St. Thomas School of Law Mentor Externship Program – Current
- Minnesota State Bar Association – Current
- Ramsey County Bar Association – Current
- The Blake School Investment Committee – Past
- Eden Prairie Planning Commission – Past
- Minnesota Government Relations Council, Board of Directors (Vice President) – Past
- Kids Voting, Board of Directors – Past
- Administrative Hearing Officer, City of Brooklyn Park – Past
- Messerli Kramer, Board of Directors – Past
- Campfire Mn, Board of Directors (Chairman) – Past
- University of Minnesota-Duluth Alumni Association (Chairman) – Past
- Eden Prairie Parks and Recreation Commission – Past
- Eden Prairie AM Rotary – Past
PUBLICATIONS AND PRESENTATIONS
Publications
- Co-Author, “Ambulatory Surgery Centers” – Minnesota Physician, April 2018
Presentations
- Presenter, iHealth Employee Education Session: Level Up Learning – 2026 Legislative Session Update, June 23, 2026
- Presenter, Twin Cities Orthopedics/Revo Physician Meeting: 2026Legislative, Regulatory and Agency Updates, June 9, 2026
- Presenter, Minnesota Ambulatory Surgery Center Association Member Education Session “Infectious Waste Compliance: Risks, Regulation and What’s Ahead”, April 17, 2026
- Presenter, Minnesota Center for Fiscal Excellence – Legislative Session Preview and Tax Panel, February 2, 2026
- Presenter, Minnesota Ambulatory Surgery Center Association Conference, 2025 Legislative Session Recap, October 10, 2025
- Presenter, Regional Council of Mayors Meeting, Expert Panel on Housing and the 2025 Legislative Session, October 28, 2024
- Presenter, Moderator of Healthcare Policy Leaders Panel, Minnesota Ambulatory Surgery Center Annual Conference, October 3-4 2024
- Presenter, Annual iHealth Shareholder Meeting, 2024 Legislative Summary and Healthcare Practice Analysis, June 12, 2024
- Presenter, Dakota County Regional Chamber of Commerce Advocacy and Issues Forum, 2024 Legislative Session Analysis, May 30, 2024
- Presenter, Public Policy, CANDOR and Legislative Update- Minnesota Ambulatory Surgery Center Association Annual Education Conference, October 6-7, 2022
- Presenter, “Legislative Update” Minnesota Ambulatory Surgery Center Association Annual Education Conference, April 20-21, 2017
- Presenter, “Regional Council of Mayors Meeting” – 2015 Legislative Update, July 13, 2015
- Presenter, “Legislative Update” – Minnesota Ambulatory Surgery Center Association Annual Education Conference, April 16-17, 2015
- Keynote Speaker, “2014 Legislative Session and its Impact on Healthcare” – Minnesota Ambulatory Surgery Center Association Conference, 2014
- Panelist, “MNsure, Healthcare and the Legislature” – Minnesota Ambulatory Surgery Center Association Conference, 2013
Nancy Haas • Attorney
Nancy Haas has dedicated her entire twenty-eight year professional career to the advancement of public policy and client service. Her experiences as an action-oriented, thoughtful, and strategic advisor have helped clients navigate local governments, state capitols, and the political process. Nancy’s commitment to lifelong learning and her accomplishment of both a law degree and a peace officer license have provided her an ability to grasp complex issues, communicate effectively, and negotiate groundbreaking policy initiatives, all while maintaining a fair and collegial approach to her work.
Nancy’s work in government relations includes direct representation at the Minnesota Legislature, legislative consulting, and monitoring in the areas of public safety and criminal justice, judiciary, health care, energy, capital investment, tax, and municipal, and public finance. She provides strategic advice to many industries involved with federal and municipal governments and provides comprehensive assistance with administrative rules and general counsel on the political process.
Relationships and partnerships are foundational to Nancy’s approach and success in her work. Her ability to relate to, work with, and cooperate on a non-partisan basis are key to her achieving results for her clients and the broader community she serves. Nancy is most proud of her work as the lead lobbyist to pass marriage equality in Minnesota and her ability to help reshape the future of law enforcement as an adjunct faculty in the Law Enforcement program at Inver Hills Community College.
Prior to co-founding her own law firm and government affairs business, Nancy spent seventeen years with Messerli Kramer where she served in various leadership roles, including Shareholder, Government Relations Division Chair, and on the Board of Directors. Nancy also served as Deputy Chief of Staff and Intergovernmental Relations Director to St. Paul Mayor Randy Kelly and Legislative Liaison with the Minnesota Department of Corrections. She also served as Rules Coordinator and Legislative Liaison to the Minnesota Board of Peace Officer Standards and Training and was the Committee Administrator to the Minnesota House of Representatives Judiciary Finance Committee.
Education
Mitchell Hamline School of Law • J.D.
St. Olaf College • B.A.
Alexandria Technical and Community College, Certificate of Completion Skills Program
ADMISSIONS
Minnesota
HONORS AND DISTINCTION
- Minnesota Lawyer’s Minnesota Legal 250 Recognition – 2026
- President’s Award for Dedicated Service and Leadership on the MDJA Leadership Team, Minnesota District Judges Association – 2022
- Public Service Award for Outstanding Dedication and Commitment, Minnesota County Attorney’s Association – 2021
- Featured in Attorney of the Year Magazine, 2020 Women’s Special Issue
- Lobbyist of the Year (Team), Politics in Minnesota and the St. Paul Legal Ledger Capitol Report – 2014
- Attorney of the Year Award, Minnesota Lawyer for Groundbreaking Work to Bring Marriage Equality to Minnesota – 2013
- Dedicated Service Award, Minnesota District Judges Association – 2013
- Up and Coming Attorney, Minnesota Lawyer – 2012
PROFESSIONAL AND COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
- Minnesota State Bar Association
– Chair, Government Law for the Non-Specialist – Past
– Co-Chair, Minnesota Legislative Process – Current - Ramsey County Bar Association – Current
– Former Ethics Committee Member - Minnesota Government Relations Council, President – Current
- Minnesota Peace and Police Officer Association, Member – Current
- Minnesota State Fair, Licensed Police Officer – Current
- Inver Hills Community College, Adjunct Professor, Legal Issues and Procedures in Policing – Past
- Criminal Justice Studies Advisory Board Member, Inver Hills Community College – Past
- Ramsey County Charter Commission, Chair – Current
- St. Paul Area Chamber of Commerce, Board Member – Current
SEMINARS/PRESENTATIONS
- Nancy is a panelist for the all day CLE on Priority Admissions taking place on November 14, 2024.
- Nancy chaired the Government Law for the Non-Specialist with Minnesota CLE. Here is a link to view the event: https://www.minncle.org/semina
r/1043002301 - Nancy is co-chaired a Minnesota CLE program- Navigating Minnesota’s legislative process. View the event to learn the keys to effective lobbying. Sign up here:
https://www.minncle.org/seminar/1043332301
Courtney Jasper • Attorney
Courtney Jasper has an enthusiasm for the legislative process that helps her to identify solutions to challenges that may arise while working with the legislature. Courtney has been in the government relations profession for over a decade.
Courtney’s work focuses on legislative representation, lobbying, political consulting, and monitoring legislation for her clients. She represents clients before the Minnesota Legislature, the Governor’s Office, State Agencies, and among stakeholder groups. Her practice spans across many issue areas including education, transportation, energy, capital investment, healthcare, procurement, nonprofit, and state government.
Passion for her work can be seen in the way she advocates for her clients and prioritizes relationship building. Courtney is proud of the work she has done to pass standalone bills in divided government to increase access to healthcare and clarify insurance requirements for design professionals. She has also worked to get client bills included in multiple omnibus bills.
Prior to being a lobbyist at Poul Haas, Courtney was a lobbyist at Messerli Kramer. Before she became a lobbyist at Messerli Kramer, Courtney learned the ins and outs of the legislative process working as a Legislative Coordinator. Courtney worked at the Department of Administration where she helped to plan the award-winning Minnesota Capitol Grand Opening alongside the Commissioner, policy makers, and influential Minnesotans. She has also managed local campaigns and worked as a law clerk at Barna, Guzy & Steffen, Ltd.
Education
Mitchell Hamline School of Law • J.D.
Drake University • B.A., B.A.J.M.C.
ADMISSIONS
Minnesota
HONORS AND DISTINCTION
- North Star Lawyer – Minnesota State Bar Association – 2023
- Star of the North Award Recipient—Team Award—Minnesota Department of Administration – 2017
PROFESSIONAL AND COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
- Anoka County Bar Association, Member – Current
- Minnesota Bar Association, Member – Current
- Minnesota Government Relations Council, Member – Current
- Minnesota Chamber Transportation Policy Committee, Member – Current
- Saint Paul Chamber, Young Professionals Committee – Past
- Anoka County Bar Association, Ethics Committee – Ethics Investigator – Past
- Big Brothers/Big Sisters – Past
PUBLICATIONS AND PRESENTATIONS
- Presenter, Minnesota Criminal Justice Institute, Fraud, Gun Control, Grooming and More – What Passed and Didn’t Pass – The 2026 Legislative Update – August 20, 2026
- Presenter, Minnesota Criminal Justice Institute, What Passed and Didn’t Pass – The 2025 Legislative Update – August 21, 2025
- Presenter, Healthcare Leaders Association of Minnesota 2024 Session Summary – May 22, 2024
- Presenter, Minnesota Medical Group Managers Day with the Payers Legislative Update – 2022
- Presenter, Minnesota Society of Professional Engineers: Lobbying, the Law, and Licensure – 2021
Tony Albright • Lobbyist
Tony Albright is a lobbyist with Poul Haas Government Relations. He joined the firm after having served in the Minnesota House of Representatives for 10 years. Tony is a former legislator. Tony has a deep understanding of the state’s political dynamics, the policy issues facing the legislature, the key players, and the efforts required to successfully enact meaningful legislation.
Tony is acknowledged as a highly regarded policy expert and leader. His unique breadth of knowledge from the legislature enables him to assist clients as an effective lobbyist on a variety of issues including healthcare, transportation, local government, bonding, insurance, as well as tax, and economic development.
While serving in the House, Tony prioritized bipartisan work. He is especially proud of his work to expand access to mental health services, and public transit. During his time in the legislature he was the Minority Lead on the Health and Human Services Finance and Policy Committee, and Vice Chair of the Ways and Means Committee.
In addition to his legislative service, Tony spent 25 years in the investment advisory field as a partner and COO concentrating on employer-sponsored retirement plans, fiduciary compliance, and ownership succession and planning. Tony is a graduate of Minnesota State University Moorhead with a B.S. in Business Administration, Marketing, and Finance.
Education
Minnesota State University Moorhead • B.S.
HONORS AND DISTINCTIONS
- Minnesota Competency Attainment Board, Special Recognition Award – 2025
- MN Association Community Health Centers, Legislator of the Year – 2018
- Minnesota Retailers Association, Friend of Retail – 2022
- League of Minnesota Cities, Legislator of Distinction – 2022
- Minnesota Council on Disabilities, Exceptional Advocate Award – 2022
- Minnesota Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities, All Star Legislator – 2018
- Manufactured Modular Home Association of Minnesota, “Friend of Affordable Housing” – 2017
- Suburban Transit Association, “Friend of Southwest Transit” – 2019
- Suburban Transit Association, Legislative Champion – 2017
- US 169 Corridor Coalition, “Coalition Catalyst” Award – 2011
- Norway House, Distinguished Service Award – 2017
- Minnesota Medical Group Management Association (MMGMA), Special Recognition Award – 2022
- St. Paul Teachers Retirement Fund, Legislator of Distinction – 2017
PROFESSIONAL AND COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
- Jordan Commercial Club
- Scott County Association for Leadership and Efficiency – Current
- Minnesota Government Relations Council – Current
PROFESSIONAL AND COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
Amy Walstien • Attorney
With over 20 years of experience at the crossroads of law and politics, Amy Walstien is a seasoned attorney, government relations expert, and policy advisor. Amy is known for her deep expertise in business issues and public policy, making her a highly sought-after advocate and advisor. Her ability to cultivate strong relationships with elected officials and her proven track record in legislative advocacy and public policy set her apart.
Amy brings extensive experience in business issues, having most recently served as Senior Policy Director at the Minnesota Business Partnership, an organization representing over 100 CEOs from the state’s largest employers. Her work at the Capitol includes major business initiatives such as a constitutional amendment for quality education (the “Page Amendment”), employment leave, expanding high school apprenticeship programs, economic development incentives, business tax matters, and employer privacy issues. She also led the launch of the Business Partnership’s diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts and co-chaired the policy pillar of the Minnesota Business Coalition for Racial Equity.
Amy’s approach to lobbying centers on solving problems by thoroughly understanding client concerns and leveraging her ability to build strong relationships. Her focus on collaboration and strategic action enables her to address critical issues efficiently and deliver meaningful results for her clients. A prime example of Amy’s skill in action is her involvement in statewide literacy reforms – as a co-founder of the Hunt Institute’s Path Forward initiative in Minnesota, she played a crucial role in developing a state action plan to revamp reading instruction and was instrumental in the successful passage of the 2023 READ Act.
Before joining the Business Partnership, Amy held roles with MZA + Co, the Minnesota Precision Manufacturing Association, the Minnesota Department of Education, the Minnesota State Senate, and the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce.
Education
William Mitchell School of Law • J.D.
College of Saint Benedict • B.A., magna cum laude
Prior Lake Senior High School • Valedictorian
ADMISSIONS
Minnesota
HONORS AND DISTINCTION
- Recognized by The Hunt Institute for passage of 2023 READ Act
- Recognized by the Association of Metropolitan Schools for passage of 2017 Youth Skills Training program.
PROFESSIONAL AND COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
- Board Member (gubernatorial appointee), SERVE Minnesota – Current
- Vice-President, Minnesota Governmental Relations Council – Current
- Board Member, Minnesota and Dakotas Jewish Community Relations Council – Current
- Minnesota Excellence in Public Service – Past Fellow
WomenLEAD Minnesota – Current - The Hunt Institute, Minnesota Path Forward Team – Current Member
Minnesota P-20 Council – Past - Wayzata Public Schools Legislative Action Committee – Past
- Great Minnesota Schools Advisory Council – Current
- Generation Next Advisory Council – Past
- Minnesota Literacy Coalition – Current
- McCarthy Center Alumni Mentor Program – Past
- Studio E | Cohort 2019
- Board Member (gubernatorial appointee), SERVE Minnesota – Current
- Vice-President, Minnesota Governmental Relations Council – Current
- Board Member, Minnesota and Dakotas Jewish Community Relations Council – Current
- Minnesota Excellence in Public Service – Past Fellow
WomenLEAD Minnesota – Current - The Hunt Institute, Minnesota Path Forward Team – Current Member
Minnesota P-20 Council – Past - Wayzata Public Schools Legislative Action Committee – Past
- Great Minnesota Schools Advisory Council – Current
- Generation Next Advisory Council – Past
- Minnesota Literacy Coalition – Current
- McCarthy Center Alumni Mentor Program – Past
- Studio E | Cohort 2019
Callie Lehman • Attorney
Callie Lehman is an attorney and accomplished government relations professional with more than a decade of experience shaping policy and advancing legislative strategy. Known for her proactive, hands-on approach, she is deeply committed to her clients’ success and brings energy, focus, and insight to every engagement. Callie is recognized for her ability to navigate complex legal and policy issues, build bipartisan relationships, collaborate with a wide variety of stakeholders, and deliver results through principled and strategic advocacy.
Most recently, Callie represented the Minnesota Judicial Branch at the State Capitol as its Intergovernmental Relations Liaison. In this role, she engaged stakeholders, built bipartisan support, and delivered clear, persuasive strategies on budget and policy matters. Her advocacy was recognized with two Judicial Branch Achievement Awards for producing results that were “superior and truly distinguished.”
Her background includes nearly ten years at the Minnesota House of Representatives, where she gained extensive experience in policy development, committee management, and legislative negotiations. As both a committee administrator and research consultant, Callie served as the subject matter expert on judiciary, civil law, data practices, and higher education issues, and played a key role in the passage of significant legislation.
Callie began her career in the private sector as a Trust Officer with Bremer Investment Management & Trust, where she managed more than 60 accounts and earned top company sales recognition. This early experience strengthened her skills in client service, relationship management, and strategic planning — expertise she continues to draw on in her government affairs work.
Education
University of St. Thomas School of Law • J.D.
University of Wisconsin–Madison, • B.A., Economics and Political Science
ADMISSIONS
Minnesota
HONORS AND DISTINCTION
- Recognized by Judicial Branch Achievement Awards for producing results that were “superior and truly distinguished.”
