Morning Mingle: Legislative update from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and PA Chamber of Commerce

Calling all early risers! Need hot coffee, hot food and HOT Networking?! We've got it covered! Join us from 9:00 am - 10:30 am for our Chamber Networking Breakfast! Bring your business cards, "60-second elevator pitch" and hungry stomach and start your day at Springhill Suites Latrobe with us! 

Our guest speakers are Ryan Gleason, manager of the Great Lakes Region in the Congressional and Public Affairs Division at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and Alex Halper, the Director of Government Affairs at the PA Chamber of Business and Industry.

 

Ryan Gleason is manager of the Great Lakes Region in the Congressional and Public Affairs Division at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. To achieve the Chamber?s public policy goals, Gleason cultivates and maintains legislative, political, media, and grassroots resources throughout Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and Pennsylvania.

In addition, he helps lead the Chamber?s efforts to strengthen its relationships with members of Congress through member businesses, associations, and local and state chambers of commerce across the region.

Most recently, Gleason worked at a government affairs firm advising clients on financial services, taxation, and tech issues. Earlier in his career, Gleason worked in the Illinois House of Representatives. Subsequently, he spent five years in Washington, D.C., working for Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner, representing the state at the federal level.

 

Alex Halper joined the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry's Government Affairs team in 2011.

Halper serves as a lobbyist for issues including labor/employment policy, education, workforce development, local tax policy, international trade and immigration.

He serves on the Pennsylvania Minimum Wage Advisory Board, Pennsylvania Partnerships for Children Board of Directors, Pennsylvania Workers' Compensation Advisory Council and the Governing Board of the Pennsylvania Compensation Rating Bureau.

Prior to joining the PA Chamber, Halper served as a legislative assistant in Washington, D.C. to former U.S. Sen. Arlen Specter. In this capacity, he worked on numerous areas of public policy, including transportation and infrastructure, homeland security and appropriations.