OUR PEOPLE
Tom Poul • Attorney
Education
Mitchell Hamline School of Law • J.D.
University of Minnesota Duluth • B.A.
ADMISSIONS
Minnesota
HONORS AND DISTINCTION
- Lobbyist of the Year (team), Politics in Minnesota and the St. Paul Legal Ledger Capitol Report, 2014
- Rising Star, Minnesota Law & Politics, 2002-2007
- Campfire Spirit Award, in recognition of non-profit support, 2004
- John Collier Award, in recognition of outstanding
PROFESSIONAL AND COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
- Eden Prairie Parks and Recreation Commission – Current
- Eden Prairie AM Rotary – Current
- 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
- Eden Prairie Planning Commission – Past
- Minnesota Government Relations Council, Board of Director (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
PUBLICATIONS AND PRESENTATIONS
Publications
- Co-Author, “Ambulatory Surgery Centers” – Minnesota Physician, April 2018
Presentations
- 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-six 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
- 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 – Current
– Co-Chair, Minnesota Legislative Process – Current - Ramsey County Bar Association – Current
– Former Ethics Committee Member - Minnesota Government Relations Council, Vice 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 – Current
- Criminal Justice Studies Advisory Board Member, Inver Hills Community College – Current
- Ramsey County Charter Commission, Chair – Current
- St. Paul Area Chamber of Commerce, Board Member – Current
SEMINARS/PRESENTATIONS
- Nancy is Chairing the Government Law for the Non-Specialist with Minnesota CLE. Please join her and the excellent group of experts: link to sign up for the event: https://www.minncle.org/semina
r/1043002301 - Nancy is Co-Chairing a Minnesota CLE program- Navigating Minnesota’s legislative process. Join her for this great event to learn 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 working as a lobbyist for two years and has been working in the government relations profession for eight.
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
- 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
- Saint Paul Chamber, Young Professionals Committee – Current
- Anoka County Bar Association, Ethics Committee – Ethics Investigator – Previous
- Big Brothers/Big Sisters – Previous
PUBLICATIONS AND PRESENTATIONS
- Minnesota Medical Group Managers Day with the Payers Legislative Update – 2022
- 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
- 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
