Cook Strong Sellwood's strongest asset is our professional staff
Cook Strong Sellwood's strongest asset is our professional staff
Our Team
At Cook Strong Sellwood we aim to not only meet our clients' expectations, but to exceed them. Our goal for every client is to provide leadership and a strong team presence. We have built our reputation on this philosophy and continue to strengthen it as we develop relationships and execute results.
Our staff profiles demonstrate that we have a team of highly knowledgeable professionals ready to meet your needs. Our diverse backgrounds and experiences have prepared us to be uniquely qualified to assist our clients in many areas of expertise. We look forward to the opportunity to work with you.
Judy Cook
Senior Partner
Judy Cook is co-founder and Senior Partner of Cook Strong Sellwood, with more than 40 years of experience in public policy and politics in Minnesota. Cook is repeatedly recognized as one of the leading government affairs professionals in Minnesota. She has an unequaled reputation for her skills as an effective communicator and advocate on behalf of clients.
Judy Cook
Throughout her career, Cook has successfully managed some of the most complex legislative and regulatory issues addressed by Minnesota policymakers.
Cook has expertise on a variety of public policy issue areas including health care, business regulation, civil law and government transformation. She is known for tackling tough government affairs challenges and achieving results through broad, bi-partisan relationships while developing and implementing effective strategies. She has proven the ability to work across the political spectrum to arrive at consensus on public policy issues from the simple to the most controversial, yielding positive results
Cook has received recognition for her achievements throughout her career, including during her years as President of the Minnesota Retail Merchants Association prior to starting Cook Strong Sellwood. Cook has also served on numerous boards and organizations during her years as a leading government affairs professional in Minnesota.
Jim Girard
Of Counsel
Jim Girard is co-founder and Of Counsel for Cook Strong Sellwood. Girard has unique perspective and expertise in public policy, having served in multiple roles in Minnesota State Government. Girard’s more than 20 years as a government affairs consultant, 8 years in the Minnesota House of Representatives (1989 – 1996) and 2 years as Commissioner of Revenue (1996 – 1998) give him broad experience and knowledge on the landscape of Minnesota politics.
Jim Girard
Girard has a depth of relationships with legislators and key staff in various state agencies, providing valuable insight and access to clients. As a legislator, executive in the Administration and government affairs professional, Girard has a keen understanding of issues and how to achieve positive outcomes.
During his time in the legislature, Girard was a leader in numerous successful public policy initiatives and was elected by his peers to serve on the House Republican Caucus Executive Committee. As Commissioner of Revenue in the Carlson Administration, Girard led all aspects of the state agency responsible for tax policy and revenue collection in the state—providing specialized knowledge and insight into Minnesota budget and tax policy. As a government affairs professional, Girard is a recognized leader on tax policy and economic development, business issues and is highly respected for being able to work across the political aisles. He has a proven ability to create and lead bipartisan coalitions to accomplish public policy goals.
Sarah Strong-Belisle
Partner
Sarah Strong-Belisle joined Cook Strong Sellwood in 2001, fresh from earning her Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Duke University. Strong-Belisle has exhibited a natural talent for effective legislative advocacy and has worked her way up the government affairs ladder to her current position. Strong-Belisle has significant experience crafting legislative strategies and legislation, especially in the areas of commerce and workforce development.
Sarah Strong-Belisle
Over the last decade she has gained a working knowledge on a variety of business and governmental issues, frequently leading ad hoc coalitions on complex issues. She is also known for her ability as a tough negotiator on behalf of clients, working tirelessly to achieve consensus among diverse groups on controversial issues. Strong-Belisle is also a gifted writer – her updates combine her wit with a unique political insight and are a favorite among clients.
A proven leader both inside the capitol and out, in April 2011 Strong-Belisle was named “#1 Rising Lobbyist” in a Politics in Minnesota survey of a bipartisan group of legislators, lobbyists and staff. She completed eight years of service on the Minnesota Government Relations Council Board of Directors, where she was selected by her peers to serve in a variety of leadership roles, including Board President. While in MGRC leadership, Strong-Belisle was the point person for the lobbying community on Minnesota’s significant Capitol restoration project and worked to ensure continued public access to the legislative process during the renovations. She served on the Walz-Flanagan Inaugural Committee, where she assisted in planning and executing the new administration’s inauguration day events.
Joe Sellwood
Partner
Joe Sellwood joined Cook Strong Sellwood in 2013, directly coming off of statewide election campaign efforts and previously working in business to business sales. Sellwood is an important part of the Cook Strong Sellwood team; working on a variety of issues, analyzing policy and gathering information, educating legislators, and coordinating with various stakeholders.
Joe Sellwood
Going into his tenth legislative session, Sellwood has been a key player in drafting and influencing the passage of critical legislation for his clients. Additionally, Sellwood has a strong understanding of the government procurement process, from pre-solicitation discussions, to the formal RFP and vendor response. His passion for politics and public policy is helping those inside and outside of the legislative world to better understand the issues that impact Minnesotans.
Sellwood understands the importance of teamwork and commitment, having served six years as an infantryman in the Minnesota Army National Guard. He spent nine months in Kosovo as part of Operation Enduring Freedom, achieved the rank of sergeant, with an honorable discharge in May, 2012.
Zack Cairns
Government Affairs Specialist
Zack Cairns joined Cook Strong Sellwood in 2020. He supports the team’s advocacy efforts by tracking legislation, conducting research, and gathering political information.
Zack started his career in government in 2014 when he worked for an Oregon state Senator and former Co-Speaker of the Oregon House of Representatives.
Zach Cairns
Zack Cairns joined Cook Strong Sellwood in 2020. He supports the team’s advocacy efforts by tracking legislation, conducting research, and gathering political information.
Zack started his career in government in 2014 when he worked for an Oregon state Senator and former Co-Speaker of the Oregon House of Representatives. He transitioned to working for a government affairs firm in Arlington, Virginia, supporting trade associations, advocacy coalitions and nonprofits directly advocate in all 50 state legislatures, and various state agencies. Zack has gained expertise in public policy issue areas of health care, employment, environment, occupational licensing, education, and financial services.
Zack graduated from Willamette University in Salem, Oregon with a degree in political science. He is currently pursuing a law degree at Mitchell Hamline School of Law. Aside from work, Zack enjoys volunteering with the Rare Action Network, an advocacy organization for patients with rare diseases, and the St. Paul Area Chamber of Commerce – Young Professional’s (YPro) Committee.
Cook Strong Sellwood Ltd
525 Park Street, Suite 230
St. Paul, MN 55103
Phone: 651-917-6001
office@cookstrongsellwood.com
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