Appropriations Archives

Joshua Grogis

Joshua Grogis is Managing Director with BGR Group where he is a leader of the firm’s Appropriations Practice. As a veteran congressional strategist and public policy advisor with more than two decades of experience at the highest levels of the U.S. House of Representatives, Josh advises clients on a wide range of complex legislative challenges including appropriations and tribal relations.

Over the course of his career, Josh has developed extensive expertise in federal appropriations, legislative negotiations, coalition building, public policy, government relations, political strategy, and organizational leadership. He is widely recognized for his ability to navigate complex legislative environments, build consensus among diverse stakeholders, and deliver results on high-priority initiatives.

Josh previously served as Senior Advisor to House Appropriations Committee Chairman Tom Cole (R-OK), providing counsel on legislative strategy, committee operations, federal funding priorities, stakeholder engagement, and the annual appropriations process. He served in a similar role with Chairman Cole when he served as Chairman of the influential House Rules Committee.

In these roles, Grogis worked closely with congressional leadership, committee members, federal agencies, tribal governments, state and local officials, universities, non-profit organizations, and private-sector stakeholders to advance policy and funding initiatives across the federal government. He has played a key role in developing and negotiating major appropriations legislation and navigating complex bipartisan legislative matters impacting virtually every federal department and agency.

Previously, Grogis served as Chief of Staff to Chairman Cole from 2018 to 2024, overseeing all aspects of the Congressman’s Washington and Oklahoma operations, including legislative strategy, appropriations priorities, communications, constituent services, political operations, and stakeholder relations.

Josh also served as District Director in for Chairman Cole in Oklahoma, leading constituent outreach and government relations efforts across the Fourth Congressional District, and previously served as a Legislative Aide in Washington, D.C., managing a broad policy portfolio that included healthcare, Medicare, Medicaid, energy, taxation, financial services, judiciary issues, immigration, Social Security, and small business matters. He also directed Congressman Cole’s work on the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies. Earlier in his congressional service, Grogis served as Executive Assistant to Congressman Cole during his tenure as Chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC), gaining firsthand experience in national political strategy, campaign operations, and leadership-level decision making.

Josh has also worked in commercial real estate and development and co-founded an Oklahoma-based government affairs firm that advised clients on a broad range of federal, state, and local policy matters.

Alessandra Italiano

Alessandra Italiano is a Policy Analyst specializing in Appropriations at BGR Group. In this role, she supports clients by providing analysis on federal funding decisions, assisting with appropriations requests, and tracking key budgetary developments across various sectors. Alessandra plays a central role in preparation of legislative reports, briefings, and updates, ensuring clients are informed on the latest trends and opportunities.

Alessandra first joined the appropriations field in early 2025 after interning with the offices of Congressman Jake Auchincloss (D-MA) and Congressman John Garamendi. During her internships, she gained valuable experience in policy research and legislative operations, supporting the teams on a variety of legislative projects and constituents’ services.

Alessandra holds a degree in Public Policy and Sociology from Franklin and Marshall College in Pennsylvania. She has a strong background in policy and public service, which she developed through her work in both local government and nonprofit sectors. Originally from Massachusetts, she now brings her expertise to Washington, DC.

Don Andres

Don Andres serves as a Vice President with BGR’s Appropriations Practice. With over 14 years of Congressional and campaign experience, Don has worked in freshman, ranking member, committee, and leadership offices. He has deep relationships across the Quad-Caucus offices having worked for multiple members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, Congressional Black Caucus, Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, and Equality Caucus and as a decades-long member within the Congressional Asian Pacific American and LGBT Staff Associations.

Don most recently served as the Chief of Staff for senior appropriator, Rep. Norma J. Torres (D-CA) who serves on the THUD, FSGG, and SFOPS subcommittees. He also served as her principal advisor in her role as an executive board member of both BOLD PAC and Elect Democratic Women (EDW).

Don has extensive experience across various legislative issues with an expertise in appropriations and transportation & infrastructure related issues. He has staffed three members of the Transportation & Infrastructure Committee (Fmr. Chair of the Science, Space, and Technology Committee Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX); Aviation Subcommittee Ranking Member Rep. Steve Cohen (D-TN); and Rep. Chuy Garcia (D-IL).

In addition to staffing the House Committee on Transportation & Infrastructure, Don worked with Members on the following committees: Oversight & Government Reform; Natural Resources; Financial Services; and served as a shared staffer for Ranking Member Eddie Bernice Johnson on the Science, Space, & Technology Committee.

Don served as a Regional Organizing Director on Secretary Clinton’s 2016 Presidential campaign in Nevada, Washington, and Colorado and has worked on several Congressional campaigns. Don has previously served as the legislative director and chief of staff for Rep. Chuy Garcia; senior policy advisor for Rep. Steve Cohen; senior legislative assistant for Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson; a shared staffer on the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology; scheduler and legislative assistant for Rep. Steven Horsford (NV-04) (fmr. Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus); and staff assistant for former Chair of the Democratic Caucus, Rep. John. B. Larson (CT-01). He started his political career as an intern for Rep. Karen Bass; Rep. Howard Berman; and then-Los Angeles City Council President Eric Garcetti.

Anna Reese Couhig

Anna Reese Couhig is a Director in the State and Local Advocacy and Appropriations practices at BGR Group, where she supports clients navigating federal, state, and local policy issues and funding opportunities. She works closely with clients across the lifecycle of an engagement, advising on legislative and regulatory developments, conducting policy research and analysis, and developing the briefing materials and advocacy resources that guide client engagement with policymakers. Anna Reese also plays a key role in tracking federal, state, and local elections to inform client strategy and stakeholder engagement.

Anna Reese works directly with clients to develop and execute annual appropriations strategies, including identifying funding opportunities, preparing and submitting congressional funding requests, and providing ongoing appropriations updates to support long-term planning. She also tracks the annual appropriations process and provides firmwide coverage across both chambers and all twelve appropriations bills, keeping colleagues and clients informed as legislation advances.

Prior to joining BGR Group, Anna Reese gained experience on Capitol Hill through a Senate internship and worked on a variety of Democratic congressional campaigns. Anna Reese graduated summa cum laude from the University of Mississippi in 2023 with a B.A. in public policy leadership and a B.A. in English with an emphasis in literature, justice, and society. While at Ole Miss, Anna Reese served as Senior Class Vice President, Chief of Staff for TEDxUniversityofMississippi, and as an ambassador for the university’s English department. As a member of the Sally McDonnell Barksdale Honors College, she successfully defended her thesis examining student perceptions of COVID-19 mitigation strategies and their correlation to demographics.

Originally from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Anna Reese joined BGR Group as a clerk and researcher after moving to Washington, D.C. in August 2023.

Erskine Wells

Erskine Wells is the President of BGR Group. He joined BGR in 2011 after serving on Capitol Hill for more than a decade. At BGR, Erskine represents clients with interests in defense, telecommunications, transportation, financial services, and appropriations before Congress, the administration, and state and local governments.

Erskine also has extensive experience leading coalitions in Washington. Working with Fortune 50 firm Caterpillar, he was instrumental in the successful launch of the Alliance for American Competitiveness and served as its Executive Director. Collaborating closely with Alliance members Honeywell, Dow, BNSF and UPS, Erskine led efforts to improve freight infrastructure throughout the United States by engaging policy makers at the local, state and federal levels. Through his efforts, the Alliance briefed the White House, Senate and House of Representatives on the role infrastructure plays in economic competitiveness.

Erskine works closely with clients ranging from wireless and hardware manufacturers to national security manufacturers and global shipping companies. Erskine is known as a substantive policy expert with connections throughout government, who quietly delivers results for his clients.

Prior to joining BGR, Erskine served in the office of Sen. Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) in various capacities, including deputy chief of staff and military legislative assistant. Earlier, Erskine managed appropriations accounts for then-Rep. Roger Wicker’s office in the House of Representatives. In these positions, Erskine advised the Senator and Congressman on national security, defense, foreign policy, transportation, financial services and telecommunications, working closely with Committee staff and Administration officials.

During his time on the Hill, Erskine collaborated with the intelligence community and Congressional committees to create and fund the Center for Intelligence and Security Studies at the University of Mississippi, which prepares students for careers in intelligence analysis.

A graduate of Davidson College in North Carolina, Erskine earned his master’s degree in National Security and Strategic Studies from the United States Naval War College in Newport, R.I. He lives in Northern Virginia.

Bill Viney

Bill Viney, a Principal at BGR Group, leads the firm’s Appropriations Practice and assists clients in impacting federal policies and securing funding through the legislative process. He helps clients raise their issues to the level of national concern and makes them a priority for championing members. He then helps clients position themselves against competing national concerns and guides them through the legislative process.

Bill joined the firm in 2004 after years of public affairs, campaign and federal government experience. An appropriations expert, Bill is responsible for overseeing appropriations initiatives for BGR’s clients and has built a reputation as a leading advocate for municipalities as well as nonprofit and corporate clients.

Bill previously served as Director of Federal Policy for public affairs firm Broydrick & Associates, where he directed the Washington office and oversaw the entire federal practice. His experience also includes participating in various campaigns and serving in a Congressional office.

Bill graduated from the University of Wisconsin – Madison with a degree in political science.

Loren Monroe

Loren Monroe, a Principal at BGR Group, serves as a member of the firm’s Executive Board as well as one of the firm’s spokesmen. He chairs the firm’s bipartisan State & Local Advocacy Practice while lobbying on behalf of energy, health, financial services, technology and trade clients. Loren has more than 25 years of experience in Washington’s political, business and public policy arenas.

In his role, Loren helps clients at the state and federal levels achieve policy solutions and secure business opportunities in Washington and state capitals across the country through direct lobbying before Congress, governors, state legislators and attorneys general. He is skilled at helping clients align federal and state advocacy strategies as well as enlisting state and local leaders to support clients’ federal priorities. He also helps clients to obtain grants and appropriations from federal and state agencies. Due to the quality of service and results that are consistently delivered, Loren has represented many of his clients for more than 20 years.

Loren frequently serves as the campaign manager for complex lobbying efforts that require coordinated state and federal outreach across multiple states and involving several lobbying and public relations firms. Highlights of his lobbying successes include securing federal permitting approval for the nation’s first large scale offshore wind project, Congressional appropriations for new research buildings on a university campus, legislation to carveout scrap recyclers from the Superfund program, state funding for digital skilling programs as well as discretionary economic development incentives by governors.

Prior to joining BGR, Loren served at the public affairs firm Cassidy & Associates. He served on the legislative staff of former Senator Pete Domenici (R-NM) when he served as Chairman of the Budget Committee and as a senior member of the Appropriations Committee. Loren previously served on the Finance staff of the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) as well as on the President George H.W. Bush reelection campaign.

Loren currently serves on the Finance Committees of the Republican Governors Association and the Republican State Leadership Committee. He is often invited to speak before audiences on the political and legislative outlooks at the federal and state levels.

Ellen Brown

Ellen Brown is a Director working with the firm’s State and Local Advocacy and Appropriations Practices. She joined BGR in 2018. She provides comprehensive legislative and political reports and analyses while working alongside state and local governments, Congress, the White House, federal agencies, and political committees. Her research helps clients understand the implications of proposed policies and legislation.

As a member of several women’s political groups, Ellen leads the team’s women in government outreach. She also represents BGR at various events with state and local officials. Drawing on her past involvement in political campaigns, Ellen provides insightful analysis and valuable guidance to clients throughout each election cycle.

Before joining BGR, Ellen worked as a Legislative Aide in the Virginia General Assembly and as Director of Operations for a Virginia legislative campaign. She managed communications and coordinated local field activities for statewide races in that capacity. Ellen began her career in political media and digital marketing, composing and editing numerous political newsletters for distribution to millions of registered voters nationwide.