Business Details
41 Years
experience
Strategic Association Management Services
We are a boutique association management firm based in Albany, New York, with over 30 years of experience helping clients across local, state, national, and global markets. Our expertise lies in forming and revitalizing associations, coalitions, and foundations while elevating all-volunteer organizations. We specialize in strategic growth, having successfully expanded entities like the Association of Financial Guaranty Insurers (AFGI) since its 1986 founding and doubling membership for the Capital Craft Beverage Trail within our first year. Our government affairs division has shaped public policy through legislative strategy, coalition-building, and lobbying in New York, Washington D.C., and beyond.We provide credible research and analysis that informs critical policy decisions, exemplified by studies on taxation, flood prevention, and workers' compensation. Our team combines deep industry knowledge with personalized service, leveraging partnerships with experts in design, IT, and HR to deliver comprehensive solutions. We prioritize transparency, client collaboration, and measurable outcomes, ensuring organizations achieve sustained growth and influence.
Services
Association Management
Government Affairs
Research Analysis
Coalition Building
Policy Advocacy
Details
- Year established: 1985
Highlights and features
- We have over 30 years of experience in association management and policy advocacy.
- Our team has guided organizations like AFGI since their founding in 1986.
- We combine in-house expertise with strategic partnerships for comprehensive solutions.
- Our research directly influences national policy discussions on insurance and finance.
- We deliver measurable growth, including doubling membership for the Capital Craft Beverage Trail.
Services
Association Management
We help form, revitalize, and manage associations, coalitions, and foundations. Our services include strategic planning, membership growth, and operational support. With expertise in sectors like insurance and craft beverage, we've doubled membership for the Capital Craft Beverage Trail and managed AFGI since 1986.
Government Affairs
Our government affairs team crafts legislative strategies and lobbies at state and federal levels. We've secured financial guaranty insurance laws in New York and California and represented clients before NCOIL and NAIC. Our focus is on coalition-building and achieving policy outcomes that align with client goals.
Research Analysis
We deliver credible research that shapes public policy discussions. Our studies on taxation, flood prevention, and workers' compensation have informed national debates. We authored reports for FEMA and the Excess Line Association of New York, emphasizing clarity and actionable insights.
People
Teresa M. Casey
Principal
Teresa Casey leads government affairs initiatives for AFGI and manages the Capital Craft Beverage Trail. With a BA in anthropology, she has authored key industry reports and facilitated national conferences. Active in community boards, she chairs Girls Incorporated of the Greater Capital Region.
Cherisse Ketchum
Association Manager
Cherisse Ketchum joined in 2024 with expertise in government relations and event management. She holds a BA in Political Science and is a Certified Cicerone. Her background includes work with New York State agencies and beverage industry events.
Jessica Iavarone
Membership Services Associate
Jessica Iavarone joined in 2021 after roles in nonprofit marketing and operations. She earned a BA in Communications from the University at Albany and manages membership engagement for client organizations.
Bob Mackin
Founding Principal
Bob Mackin (1934-2024) founded Mackin & Company in 1985. A former journalist and government official, he authored the book 'Jackhammer' and led associations like NCOIL and NCLGS. He held a Master's in communication from Fordham University.
Questions
What industries do you specialize in?
We focus on insurance, financial services, craft beverage, and gaming sectors through associations like AFGI and the NYS Distillers Guild.
How do you help associations grow membership?
We implement targeted strategies like the Capital Craft Beverage Trail's Passport program, which doubled membership in one year.
Can you assist with state and federal policy advocacy?
Yes, we've secured financial guaranty laws in multiple states and represented clients before NCOIL and NAIC since the 1980s.
What research services do you offer?
We provide policy-focused studies on taxation, flood prevention, and workers' compensation, used by FEMA and insurance regulators.
