Betty Gallo has headed the government relations and lobbying firm, Betty Gallo & Co. since 1981. The firm represents over 25 clients before the General Assembly. The clients include Partnership for Strong Communities, Legal Assistance Resource Center of Connecticut, Connecticut Civil Liberties Union, Multiple Sclerosis Society and Advocates for Connecticut’s Children and Youth. Ms. Gallo has lobbied the Connecticut General Assembly since 1976. In addition, she designed and for the past 24 years organized the Connecticut Lobbying Conference, a full day conference that trains lobbyists. This conference has provided training for over 1000 lobbyists in Connecticut.

From 1976 to 1980, Ms. Gallo was Executive Director and chief lobbyist for Common Cause/Connecticut. In 1980, she ran for the General Assembly as the Democratic candidate in the 19th district, West Hartford.

Kate Robinson has been lobbying since 2001. She has been especially active in issues related to mental health and concentrates on housing issues. She was previously Clerk of the Planning and Development Committee of the Connecticut General Assembly and was the manager for two State House campaigns. Kate holds a Master’s Degree in Public Policy from Trinity College.

Joe Grabarz is returning in January for his forth session as a lobbyist for Betty Gallo & Company. Joe represented a district of Bridgeport for two terms in the Connecticut House of Representatives, where his advocacy of gay rights is credited with passage of Connecticut’s landmark gay right’s legislation which had been debated for more than 15 years. In 1993, Grabarz left the General Assembly when he accepted the position of Program Director for the Human Rights Campaign Fund. He joined the effort to pass meaningful health care reform in 1993, working in New England and Washington with three organizations and the White House to manage and direct field staff and supporting organizations. Joe has worked as the Executive Director of the Connecticut Civil Liberties Union and the Empire State Pride Agenda.

Mike Johnson is entering his second year as a lobbyist with Betty Gallo & Company.  Mike has prior government experience from lobbying for the Connecticut Conference of Municipalities and working as a campaign coordinator and legislative aide to New York State Senator Kemp Hannon.  Mike also holds bachelor’s degrees in both Government and Management from Sacred Heart University and currently serves on the City of Middletown’s Planning and Zoning Commission. 

Don Branson has been with Betty Gallo & Co. for more then 7-years as the Director of IT Services. He works with client organizations to help them effectively utilize information technology to meet their goals. This includes managing the grassroots contacts databases and on-line legislative action centers as well as consulting on website design and development, and technology planning. Don holds a Masters degree in Sociology from Minnesota State University-Mankato and spent seven years as a Lecturer in Sociology at the University of Connecticut teaching courses on Social Problems, Deviant Behavior, and Political Sociology.  Don is also an avid skydiver and holds a USPA Coach rating and is an FAA certificated Senior Parachute Rigger.

Greater Mutsikwi’ started working as the Office Manager for Betty Gallo & Company in June 2004. Prior to that she worked as the building receptionist for the Lyceum. She also worked as a Legislative Assistant for the House Democrats in early 2004. Greater was born and raised in Zimbabwe and she holds a degree from the University of Hartford in Communications and English.

Together, we bring almost 40 years of experience to our work. We have all built good working relationships with legislators in positions of influence from both parties. We believe strongly that it is important for us to be at the Capitol full-time. When the legislators are there, we are there.

The offices of Betty Gallo & Company are at The Lyceum, in Hartford Connecticut. PDF with directions and map is available here.