Founder and CEO
Brad founded HillEast Group in 2017 and has managed the firm's growth in lobbying, communications, federal procurement support, and state advocacy. Prior to founding HillEast, he spent nearly a decade in public service and developed strong relationships throughout Washington on both sides of the political aisle.
During his tenure on Capitol Hill, Brad served as a Chief of Staff, Legislative Director, and policy advisor, working for three members of Congress, including the Ranking Member of the House Committee on Homeland Security and the Speaker of the House.
Throughout his time in Washington, Brad served as the chief policy and political advisor to members of Congress, where he crafted, negotiated, and helped pass numerous policy initiatives.
Brad Gentile
Partner
Zach Howell has spent more than a decade working in public policy and politics, with experience across multiple disciplines including communications, legislative strategy, campaign strategy, and organizational leadership. Zach spent more than 8 years on Capitol Hill as a Chief of staff, Legislative Director, Legislative Assistant, and Communications Director, handling a portfolio that spans the policy spectrum, including in transportation, homeland security, financial services, and foreign affairs.
Zach joined the HillEast team from Marriott International, where he served as Director of Federal Government Affairs, helping to guide the company through the challenges posed by the COVID-19 economic and public health crisis.
Through this varied experience, Zach has developed strong relationships across party lines, and has thorough hands-on experience crafting legislative initiatives and communications strategies, building relationships, and providing sound guidance in challenging political environments.
Prior to his time on Capitol Hill, Zach worked on a presidential campaign, serving on the ground in Florida and New Hampshire, and served as the elected leader of a nationwide youth political organization.
Zach Howell
Senior Advisor
John Katko is an accomplished leader who served Central New York in Congress from 2015 until his retirement in 2022.
Early in his career in Congress, John became a strong voice on the House Homeland Security Committee. In 2020, he was selected to lead House Homeland Security Committee Republicans. As Ranking Member, John led efforts to secure the border and prioritized a robust focus on cybersecurity, as well as transportation and airport security. Additionally, John served eight years as a member of the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee.
Hon. John Katko
Vice President
Patricia Clarke joins HillEast with extensive Capitol Hill experience and a strong background in legislative strategy, national security, and federal policy.
Prior to joining HillEast, Patricia served as Deputy Chief of Staff to Congressman Carlos Gimenez (FL) , where she helped manage the Congressman’s legislative and appropriations agenda and advised on a broad range of policy and political matters. Congressman Gimenez serves on the House Armed Services Committee and House Homeland Security Committee and is also a member of the House Select Committee on the Strategic Competition Between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party. His committee work includes defense readiness, tactical air and land forces, cybersecurity, infrastructure protection, transportation, and maritime security.
Before joining Congressman Gimenez’s office, Patricia served as a Legislative Assistant to Congressman Anthony Gonzalez of Ohio.
Throughout her time on Capitol Hill, Patricia has developed strong relationships across Congress and the federal government and gained hands-on experience navigating complex legislative and policy issues. She brings to HillEast a deep understanding of the congressional process and experience helping policymakers address issues at the intersection of national security, technology, economic policy, and the federal government.
Patricia Clarke
Vice President & General Counsel
Erin O'Connor Elliott leverages over a decade of policy, communications, and political strategy experience in New York State and at the federal level.
Erin most recently served as Chief of Staff, Counsel, and Communications Director on Capitol Hill, where she directed operations and political strategy for a senior Member of Congress who rose to serve as Ranking Member of the House Homeland Security Committee. In this role, she helped shape bipartisan legislative efforts and guided work on homeland security, transportation and infrastructure, and economic development priorities in New York.
Prior to her time in Washington, Erin spent several years managing communications and outreach for former New York State Senator, Senate Finance Committee Chairman, and Deputy Majority Leader John A. DeFrancisco. During and since this time, she has built broad relationships with stakeholders across New York State and developed a deep knowledge of coalition building at the state and local level.
Throughout the entirety of her career, Erin has worked closely with media outlets across New York State and nationally. She has advised elected officials and candidates for public office on key issue messaging, crisis communications, and campaign strategy in challenging environments.
Erin O’Connor Elliott
Tyler Gutchess joins HillEast with several years of Capitol Hill experience and strong ties to the New York delegation.
Before joining HillEast, Tyler served as a Legislative Assistant to two different members of Congress, managing an extensive portfolio that included agriculture, financial services, tax, trade, education, and energy. He gained extensive experience in crafting and passing legislation, and led numerous successful efforts that contributed to the strong, bipartisan records of two of the most productive House members in recent history.
Throughout his time on Capitol Hill, Tyler developed a deep understanding of the legislative process, and achieved success through a number of vehicles - including appropriations packages, the National Defense Authorization Act, Federal Aviation Administration reauthorization, and the Farm Bill. During this time, Tyler built meaningful relationships on both sides of the aisle and used his Syracuse roots to foster strong connections with stakeholders in New York and Washington.
