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Prior to establishing Cordo & Company, LLC, John was a partner at the Law and Lobbying firm, Featherstonhaugh, Wiley, Clyne & Cordo. In his capacity as partner John provided legal and legislative representation to a large and diverse cross section of clients from all industries and walks of life including Goldman Sachs, Pepsi, 1199/SEIU, New Yorkers Against the Death Penalty, and the New York City District Council of Carpenters just to name a few.
In addition, John worked to ensure client’s interests were served using both traditional legal and legislative methods, as well as public relations and media services. For Example, John helped oversee the successful 2005 New York State Transportation Infrastructure Bond Act. Additionally, he is also part of the team that produces the health care advocacy and New York State budget campaign on behalf of the 1199/SEIU-Greater New York Health Care Education Project.
Prior to joining FWCC as a partner, John was Special Counsel to the State Senate Majority where he played an integral role in the design and implementation of public and private sector labor and pension policy, as well as education, transportation and health policy. John has spent almost twenty years affecting public policy and political results in both the public and private sectors. He gained a thorough knowledge of the general business law, administrative law, legislative law, executive and political process by serving two Majority Leaders and as an associate and lobbyist with FWCC from 1992 through 1996.
John was an appointed member of the Governor’s Task Force on Public Pension Systems. A native of New York City, John earned both his B.A. and Law degrees from Cornell University and Masters Degree from Rockefeller College. He is admitted to practice in New York State and the Federal courts and is a member of the New York State Bar Association.
Jennifer Cunningham was called “the most powerful unelected woman in New York Politics” by the Daily News and “the top political strategist at what is considered the State’s most politically powerful union” by the New York Times.
For the last eight years, Jennifer served as Executive Director of SEIU New York State Council and Executive Vice President for Politics and Legislation of 1199 United Healthcare Workers East, which represents 300,000 healthcare workers throughout New York State, Massachusetts, Maryland, and District of Columbia. Prior to her work at SEIU, Jennifer served as Deputy Counsel to NYS Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver and practiced law for several years with the firm of Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton and Garrison. She also served as Director of the New York State Assembly Majority’s regional offices program and as the Assistant Director for Politics and Legislation at District Council 37 AFSCME.
In her capacity as Executive Vice President of 1199 SEIU, Jennifer directed the union’s extensive political and communications program, with a staff of over 50 professionals, a 100-station telecommunication center and a member driven political action fund with annual revenues over $6 million. She oversaw all paid and earned media and coordinated the unions legislative and public affairs battles, including stopping billions of cuts to Medicare, organizing tens of thousands of workers and coordinating its expansion into Massachusetts, Maryland and the District of Columbia. In 2006 she also served as a top advisor to Andrew Cuomo’s successful campaign for New York State Attorney General.
In October 2007, Jennifer was recognized for her accomplishments by Crain’s New York as #17 of the “Power 25” of the 100 most influential women in New York City Business. Recognizing her successful struggles on the part of low wage health care workers, Crain’s warned that Jennifer’s soft side belies a true force in New York politics.
Steve has represented the interests of private sector companies and trade associations before the New York State Legislature and Executive for over 16 years and has extensive experience with the intricacies of legislative procedure and process. Prior to joining Cordo & Company, LLC, Steve was a principal in the law firm of Harris & McCormack, LLC.
He began his public service career in 1987 with Senator Roy M. Goodman. He became counsel to Senator Michael J. Tully, Jr. in 1991. His tenure with the Senate included managing, drafting and negotiating legislation – including New York State’s nationally groundbreaking “stalking” law.
Steve left the Legislature and affiliated with Shulklapper & Vacek P.C. at the firm’s inception in 1994. He became a principal in the firm in 1999, which became Vacek, Harris & McCormack P.C. in 2004. In this capacity Steve provided legislative representation to some of New York’s most notable industries including the Real Estate Board of NY, New York’s banking industry and the property casualty insurance industry.
In 2005, Steve was named President of the New York State Beer Wholesalers Association, where he is principal lobbyist and Executive Director of all Association business and operations.
A graduate of SUNY Oswego (1987) and Albany Law School (1990), Steve resides in the Town of Bethlehem with his wife Sandy, his daughters Christina and Natasha, two dogs and too many horses.
Melissa most recently served as Campaign Manager for the Tracey Brooks for Congress Campaign. Prior to her work with Tracey, Melissa served as Deputy Press Secretary to Congresswoman Nydia Velazquez, Communications Director for “People for Carl Andrews”, and as Deputy Press Secretary for the successful NY State Transportation Bond Act Campaign “Vote Yes” in 2005. Melissa has also worked for Bolton-St. Johns, providing communications and political consulting services to clients, and has interned for the New York State AFL-CIO. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Industrial and Labor Relations from Cornell University, and serves on the Executive Board of the Women’s Leadership Forum Network of the Democratic National Committee.
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