Kinghorn, Hilbert & Associates, LLC

Edward J. Kinghorn, Jr.

Edward J. Kinghorn, Jr., chairman and founder of the firm, has spent a career working in government affairs. Ted served as executive assistant to Senator Strom Thurmond of South Carolina, where he oversaw constituent services, assisted in the administration of the office and gained experience in the legislative process. Prior to working for Sen. Thurmond, he was employed at the Treasury Department, in South Carolina state government, and the Municipal Association of South Carolina. Ted also has worked with a number of civilian and defense advisory organizations in the nation's capital, as well as other areas of the country such as the Technical Advisory Board at the Sacramento Air Logistics Center. Ted earned his Masters of Public Administration from the University of South Carolina.

Since 1985, Ted has led the firm's efforts through direct involvement with public and private clients with a wide array of interests on the federal level. Ted has specific expertise in DoD, Homeland Security, Energy, and law enforcement areas. He had helped secured well over $900 million in contracts and congressional appropriations during the last 26 years.

John W. Hilbert III, Esq.

John W. Hilbert III, Esq., joined Kinghorn, Hilbert & Associates in 1995. As president, John oversees the client base, client development, and staffing issues, while also advocating on behalf of his clients. His areas of focus include international trade, environment, defense, and federal appropriations. John's successes include creating an industry coalition of recyclers who successfully petitioned the federal government to change regulations to encourage hazardous waste recycling by the refining industry. Other successes include several multi-million dollar appropriations for a variety of clients, congressional victories on international trade legislation, and successful lobbying of state, federal and international agencies on health and safety matters. He has several articles on public policy matters which have been published and has spoken to several organizations on the value of engagement in the political process and public policy. A graduate of The Ohio State University, John previously worked in Washington, DC, with the United States Business and Industrial Council before attending Washington and Lee University's School of Law, where he received his J.D. in 1997.

Christine Rogala

Christine Rogala has been a legislative associate at Kinghorn, Hilbert & Associates since 2005, and her areas of concentration include energy, metals, defense and international trade. Previously, Christine advised Congressman Phil English of Pennsylvania on appropriations, education, energy and commerce. In more than five years with Congressman English, she guided the congressman's community and economic development activities. Her other activities on Capitol Hill included serving as the president of the Congressional Legislative Staff Association. Christine graduated from Gannon University in Erie, Pennsylvania.

Micki O. Howard

Micki O. Howard is a legislative associate at Kinghorn, Hilbert & Associates. Micki's responsibilities include defense, transportation, economic development, and R&D funding and issues in Congress. Prior to joining KHA, Micki spent six years working on Capitol Hill, and as Legislative Director and Military Legislative Assistant for Congressman Joe Wilson (Armed Services Committee) primarily focused on defense and appropriations. She most recently worked for the Magazine Publishers of America, a trade association representing the magazine industry, where she served as Vice President of Government Affairs. A graduate of Clemson University, Micki is originally from Hilton Head Island, South Carolina.

Jake Styacich

Jake Styacich is an associate at Kinghorn, Hilbert & Associates and has been with the firm since June 2007. He works on issues regarding defense, consumer protection, industrial manufacturing, energy efficiency, the environment, and a wide variety of appropriations projects. Jake also oversees KHA's lobbying disclosure and ethics compliance. Born in Toledo, Ohio, Jake graduated from Georgetown University in May 2009 with a B.A. in government.

Chris Dreska

Chris Dreska joined KHA as the firm's director of business development in 2010 bringing with him over 16 years of business development and direct sales experience, and a history of large account management with Fortune 500 companies and the federal government. He previously worked as a Business Development Director for Huron Consulting Group, specializing in solving intricate needs for the Fortune 500. KHA clients will benefit from Chris' extensive knowledge and background calling on Federal agencies and decision makers as well as his experience winning new business. Chris possesses strong sales, business development, interpersonal and program management skills to help the firm's clients and partners. Chris earned a Bachelors of Science in Business Administration from the Ohio State University.

Pat Browne

Pat Browne joined Kinghorn, Hilbert & Associates as a finance director after serving 30 years on Capitol Hill and in private industry. Pat's work entailed legislative and policy-making activities, as well as financial management and staff supervision. Pat manages the firm's finances, and she is also available for legislative and strategy consulting on behalf of clients. Her background includes accounting, office management, and sales, and she has a degree from George Mason University.

Michael A. Berson

Michael A. Berson brings valued knowledge and experience to Kinghorn Hilbert & Associates. He joined KHA from the Senate Democratic Policy Committee where he served as a legal fellow conducting research and providing legislative support on Caucus initiatives and proposed legislation. Prior to working for the Senate, Michael practiced law with Caldwell & Watson in Atlanta, Georgia, clerked for the Honorable John R. Lockett, Circuit Court Judge for the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit in Mobile, Alabama, and interned for U.S. Congressman Artur Davis (D-7-AL) here in Washington, DC. Michael is a native of Mobile, Alabama and a graduate of the University of Florida. He is a 2006 graduate of the Cumberland School of Law, Samford University where he was a Scholar of Merit and a member of the Honor Court, Dean's List, and Cordell Hull Speakers Forum Board.

Grace Miller

Kinghorn, Hilbert & Associates is pleased to have Grace Miller as an associate at the firm. Grace was a legislative intern with KHA prior to becoming a full-time associate in 2009. Grace now oversees the legislative activities, communications and scheduling for one of our trade association clients, in addition to providing support to other associates and overseeing the administrative needs of the firm during the appropriations process. A native of London, England, Grace served as a research assistant for a Member of Parliament prior to joining KHA, where she was responsible for the Member's schedule and running his Westminster office. Grace is a graduate of The University of Sussex, Brighton with a degree in International Relations.

Michelle Burke

Michelle Burke joined Kinghorn Hilbert & Associates in 2010, bringing with her a mix of Capitol Hill-based knowledge and experience, marketing and public relations expertise and a client service focus. She spent several years working on Capitol Hill before moving into the lobbying and then into the private sector. Now she brings her high level of professionalism and organization to KHA's event and conference planning services and is also available for marketing and public relations consulting on behalf of clients. Michelle is a graduate of Mount Holyoke College in Massachusetts.