Firm Profile
Client Portfolio Highlights
Overview
Firm Profile
Client Portfolio Highlights
Key People
Key individuals and their career paths, relationships, and conflict flags. Every claim is hyperlinked to its source.
Career Timeline
Conflict Flags
Key Relationships
Full Team Roster (17 members)
| Name | Title | Government/Political Background |
|---|---|---|
| Josh Hovey, APR | Partner (co-owner) | Asst. to Mayor Bernero (2006-08); LRC-PAC committee; former Planning Commissioner |
| Angela Minicuci, APR | Partner (co-owner) | MDHHS communications (~10 years) |
| Andie Poole, APR | Partner (co-owner) | 20+ yrs in tech/higher ed/government relations |
| Adam Bitely | VP of Public Affairs | MI Senate Republican Comms (2019-21); U.S. Chamber; MI AG's office. Wife = Lansing Police Commissioner |
| Andrea Kerbuski, APR | Vice President | Chamber "10 Over the Next Ten" (2013); 20+ yrs healthcare comms |
| Randy Hannan | Senior PR Director | MI Senate (14 yrs); Chief of Staff to Mayor Bernero (12 yrs); federal lobbyist (SSDC) |
| Mariam Robinson | Director of Public Relations | MI Senate staff; Office of the Lt. Governor; 17 yrs government relations |
| Hannah Lupi, APR | PR & Communications Manager | Former MI Democratic Party staff |
| Katie Jesaitis | Public Affairs Manager | U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell's office (6 years) |
| Dave Solce | Director of Digital Strategy | — |
| Jill Deiters | Director of Creative Services | — |
| Bridgette Bauer | Public Affairs Manager | MSU James Madison College (social relations & policy) |
| Megan Stefl | Communications Strategist | — |
| Charlotte Taylor | Creative & Digital Manager | — |
| Stacy Anderson | Office Manager | Since 2006 |
| Roger Martin, APR | Founder, Retired | Former Detroit News Bureau Chief; 3 Pulitzer nominations; MSU journalism professor |
| David Waymire | Founder, Retired | Former journalist; Northwestern/Medill; 2003 PRSA "Best of Silver Anvil" |
Rows highlighted in orange indicate government or political party employment history.
Conflicts of Interest
Documented conflicts of interest, ethical concerns, and structural issues. Each finding includes evidence with source links.
Severity: Critical = structural conflict affecting governance decisions, High = documented conflict with evidence, Medium = notable concern warranting transparency.
Josh Hovey simultaneously holds two positions: Partner at Bellwether PR (paid by Deep Green Technologies to advocate for the data center rezoning) and committee member of LRC-PAC (which endorsed 6 of 8 current Lansing City Council members who will cast the final vote).
Deep Green Technologies
| pays
v
Bellwether PR (Josh Hovey, Partner)
| chairs/sits on
v
LRC-PAC
| endorsed
v
6 of 8 City Council members
| will vote on
v
Deep Green Rezoning (Petition Z-2-2025)Evidence
Entities
Dark Money Connections
Voters Not Politicians \u2014 Proposal 2 (2018)
Bellwether (as Martin Waymire) won a Silver Anvil Award for this campaign. It passed with 61% of the vote.
Sixteen Thirty Fund: Managed by Arabella Advisors, described by Politico as “the left's preeminent dark money hub.” Passes through hundreds of millions annually without disclosing original donors.
Action Now Initiative: Another Arabella Advisors-managed group. The Arabella network collectively managed $1.6 billion in 2020.
Climate Power
Bellwether client displayed on homepage logo carousel. $80M budget for 2024 election cycle.
Hansjörg Wyss (Swiss billionaire)
| $44.5M+ (2017-2020)
v
Wyss Foundation
| grants
v
Fund for a Better Future
| $5.86M (2021-2022)
v
Climate Power ($80M budget)
| hires
v
Bellwether PRCo-founded by John Podesta (now Senior Advisor to President Biden overseeing $370B Inflation Reduction Act) and Lori Lodes.
Wyss Foundation (Swiss billionaire Hansjörg Wyss) donated $44.5M+ to Fund for a Better Future, which granted $5.86M to Climate Power.
Reid Felsing Dark Money Network
Attorney for Lansing Future PAC, which received $5,000 from LRC-PAC (Hovey's PAC). Operated 4 dark money orgs.
| Organization | Felsing's Role |
|---|---|
| Michigan Center of Accountability for Republicans | Treasurer |
| Citizens for a Better Michigan | President |
| Michigan Deserves Better Fund | Treasurer |
| Residents for Good Governance | President |
“The beauty of the nonprofits was the anonymity of money coming in. There's plausible deniability.” \u2014 Reid Felsing
Felsing was appointed to Eaton County District Court by Governor Whitmer in January 2025.
Campaign Finance
Campaign finance findings from automated conflict detection against 7,615 transactions (2011-2025), sourced from MI Secretary of State filings, IRS 8872 returns, and Ingham County candidate filings.
49 different donors gave $53,316 to the Schor Lansing Fund within 48 hours (March 31 - April 1, 2019). Dick Peffley (BWL GM) gave $3,000.
Legal Analysis
"Before casting a vote on a matter on which a member may reasonably be considered to have a conflict of interest, the member shall disclose the potential conflict of interest to the planning commission. Failure of a member to disclose a potential conflict of interest as required by this subsection constitutes malfeasance in office."
Relevance to This Case
In 2019, Hovey voted on marijuana zoning while founding a cannabis industry association. City Clerk confirmed no Affidavit of Disclosure was filed.
Recommended Action
Board of Ethics complaint (may be time-barred but creates public record)
Timeline
Chronological timeline of key events from the founding of Martin Waymire (2004) through the latest Deep Green developments (Feb 2026).
Martin Waymire Founded
Roger Martin and David Waymire found Martin Waymire Advocacy Communications in Lansing.
Hovey Joins Bernero Administration
Josh Hovey becomes Assistant to the Mayor under Virg Bernero.
Hannan Joins Bernero Administration
Randy Hannan begins 12-year tenure as executive assistant, chief of staff, and communications director.
BWL Ice Storm / Martin Waymire Hired
BWL hires Martin Waymire for crisis communications after the December ice storm. Beginning of long-term client relationship.
Hannan Leaves City Government
After 12 years, Hannan leaves Lansing city government. Forms consulting firm with Bernero, then moves to Sustainable Strategies DC as federal lobbyist.
Michigan Marijuana Legalization
Proposal 1 passes. Hovey was Communications Director for the campaign.
Hovey's Marijuana Zoning Vote
While on the Planning Board, Hovey leads motion to delete 500-foot distance requirement between dispensaries. Passes 4-0. No disclosure filed.
Council Members Call for Hovey's Resignation
Washington, Wood, and Hussain call for Hovey to resign from Planning Board over marijuana conflict of interest.
Massive Coordinated Giving to Schor Fund
49 donors give $53,316 to Schor Lansing Fund within 48 hours. Dick Peffley (BWL) gives $3,000.
Hovey, Minicuci, Poole Purchase Firm
Three new owners purchase Martin Waymire from retiring founders.
Coordinated BWL Employee Giving
9 BWL employees give $6,000 to LRC-PAC within 48 hours.
BWL 7.8% Rate Increase Approved
BWL board approves 7.8% rate increase. BWL is a Bellwether client.
Rebrand to Bellwether PR
Martin Waymire officially rebrands as Bellwether Public Relations.
Grassroots Midwest Paid $18,499 by Schor Campaign
8 days before the Deep Green Planning Commission vote.
Planning Commission Votes on Deep Green
Rezoning FAILS 3-4 (Yes: Klont, Muchmore, O'Dell. No: Jackson, Alexander, Ruge, Lippert). Land sale CARRIES 5-2. Hovey speaks as Deep Green's PR representative.
Chamber + Union Joint Letter
Lansing Chamber and unions release joint letter supporting Deep Green. Hovey sits on the same Chamber's PAC.
Deep Green Vote POSTPONED
Vote delayed due to procedural issue: Councilmember Nevarez Martinez argues application invalid because Deep Green doesn't yet own the land. Returns to Planning Commission March 3, 2026.
Resources
FOIA Request Templates
Ready-to-file requests under the Michigan Freedom of Information Act (MCL 15.231 et seq.). File online at lansingmi.gov/700/Submit or via the City of Lansing FOIA portal. Response deadline: 5 business days (extendable by 10 with written notice).
Hovey Planning Commission & Ethics Records
To: City of Lansing FOIA CoordinatorPursuant to the Michigan Freedom of Information Act, MCL 15.231 et seq., I request: 1. All records of Josh Hovey's appointment to the Lansing Planning Commission, including the appointing authority, date of appointment, ward represented, and term expiration date. 2. All records of Josh Hovey's departure from the Planning Commission, including resignation letter (if any), removal notice, or term expiration documentation. 3. All Affidavits of Disclosure filed by Josh Hovey with the City Clerk's Office during his tenure on any City of Lansing board or commission. 4. All records of complaints or ethics inquiries regarding Josh Hovey filed with the Board of Ethics or City Clerk. 5. Current membership roster of the Lansing Planning Commission and Lansing Board of Zoning Appeal, including appointment dates and term expirations.
Deep Green Project — All City Communications
To: City of Lansing FOIA CoordinatorPursuant to the Michigan Freedom of Information Act, MCL 15.231 et seq., I request: 1. All communications between any City of Lansing elected official, appointed official, or employee and any of the following individuals or organizations regarding the Deep Green Technologies data center project (Petition Z-2-2025), from January 1, 2025 to the present: - Josh Hovey, Randy Hannan, Angela Minicuci, Andie Poole, or any employee of Bellwether Public Relations (formerly Martin Waymire) - Deep Green Technologies USA, Luke Gavin, or Brian Jeffries - Steve Japinga, Tim Daman, Kevin Shaw, or any representative of the Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce or LRC-PAC 2. All communications between Mayor Andy Schor's office and Bellwether Public Relations (or Martin Waymire) on any subject, from January 1, 2024 to the present. 3. All communications between Mayor Andy Schor and Tim Daman or Steve Japinga regarding the Deep Green project, BWL partnership, or downtown development, from January 1, 2025 to the present. 4. All invoices, contracts, or payment records between the City of Lansing and Bellwether Public Relations (or Martin Waymire) for any services. 5. All records of Steve Japinga attending city meetings, hearings, or briefings related to the Deep Green project.
LRC-PAC Endorsement Process & Chamber-City Relations
To: City of Lansing FOIA CoordinatorPursuant to the Michigan Freedom of Information Act, MCL 15.231 et seq., I request: 1. All communications between any City of Lansing elected official and the Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce or LRC-PAC regarding endorsements, candidate questionnaires, PAC interview processes, or candidate scorecards for the 2024 and 2025 election cycles. 2. All records of LRC-PAC endorsement questionnaires, candidate scorecards, or interview materials submitted to or used by the City of Lansing in connection with any election. 3. All communications between Steve Japinga and any Planning Commission member or City Council member regarding LRC-PAC endorsements, from January 1, 2024 to the present.
BWL — Deep Green Contract, Shawa Dual Role, & Lobbying
To: Lansing Board of Water & Light FOIA CoordinatorPursuant to the Michigan Freedom of Information Act, MCL 15.231 et seq., I request: 1. All communications between BWL officials (including General Manager Dick Peffley) and Deep Green Technologies USA or any Deep Green representative, from January 1, 2024 to the present. 2. All communications between BWL officials and Bellwether Public Relations, Josh Hovey, or Randy Hannan, from January 1, 2024 to the present. 3. All documents related to the proposed 20-year contract between BWL and Deep Green Technologies, including term sheets, memoranda of understanding, and internal analyses of water consumption, power requirements, or environmental impact. 4. All records of Heather Shawa's appointment to the Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, including any BWL approval, ethics review, or conflict-of-interest disclosure related to this board service. 5. All internal BWL communications regarding Heather Shawa's Chamber board service, including any discussion of potential conflicts with BWL's Deep Green partnership. 6. BWL's conflict-of-interest policy for senior executives serving on external boards, and any disclosures filed by Shawa. 7. All contracts, invoices, and payment records between BWL and Sustainable Strategies DC (or The Ferguson Group) for federal lobbying services, from 2012 to the present, including records identifying individual lobbyists who represented BWL in Washington, DC (including Randy Hannan).
Source Index (31+ links)
Every factual claim in this report is hyperlinked to its source. This index organizes all sources by category.