Eric Gally

Eric Gally utilizes his extensive experience in journalism, public relations and government relations to ensure that every project undertaken by Gally Public Affairs yields desired results.

Before founding Gally Public Affairs, he served as a state lobbying and issue advocacy expert with the National Center for Tobacco-Free Kids in Washington, DC, an umbrella organization founded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, American Cancer Society, and several other health-related non-profits. In this capacity, he provided hands-on assistance to several successful initiative and legislative campaigns.

From 1992-96, he was Director of Communications and Public Policy with the American Cancer Society’s Maryland Division and was credited with developing strong ties with the regional media that produced a substantial amount of “earned” publicity. During his tenure, Gally helped found the Smoke Free Maryland Coalition, served as its first elected president and helped secure one of the nation’s strongest workplace smoking restrictions.

Throughout his public policy career, Gally has been a frequent presenter and speaker at national training sessions and state coalition meetings.

Gally received his legislative experience while serving as a senior public relations editor/writer in the New York State Assembly. There he was responsible for developing and implementing comprehensive communications plans for client members who were deemed to be “in trouble” for their next election. In 1992, he was communications coordinator for Eileen Hickey, whose win over incumbent state Assemblyman Don McMillen was considered the biggest upset among the 211 legislative contests held that year.

From 1993-1995, Gally served as an editorial consultant and writer with StateNet’s state legislative guidebook series. Today, he works as a contributing writer for several publications, including The Baltimore Sun.

Prior to his legislative work, Gally was a reporter and editor with The Daily Journal in Elizabeth, New Jersey. He graduated from Syracuse University in 1988 with a dual bachelor’s degree in newspaper journalism and political science.

Jennie Rasmussen

Jennie Rasmussen came to Gally Public Affairs in September 2008.   As a lobbyist, she works with state advocates and policymakers to develop and implement legislation that will make a better life for all Marylanders.

In May 2008, Mrs. Rasmussen graduated from the University of Maryland School of Law with a concentration in environmental law.  As a law student, Mrs. Rasmussen participated in the Tobacco Control Clinic.  There, she lobbied on behalf to the Resource Center for Tobacco Regulation, Legislation & Advocacy to get stricter regulation of tobacco products in Maryland.

Mrs. Rasmussen also served as the Executive Technology Editor to the Journal of Business and Technology Law.   As part of her duties, she created an online resource of information on state business and technology courts and tracked important cases in business, intellectual property and corporate law.

Mrs. Rasmussen previously worked as a law clerk at the Maryland State Highway Administration where she helped in the litigation of environmental, tort, contract and administrative cases.  She also worked as a law clerk at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in the Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance, and while there, she helped bring enforcement actions against violators of the Clean Water Act.

Prior to coming to law school, Mrs. Rasmussen attended the University of Maryland, College Park where she participated in the Advanced Three Year/Arts Law Degree Program.  During college, she worked at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in the Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxic Substances.

Her volunteer activities included acting as Grass Roots Manager of the Maryland Environmental Law Society and Co-Chair of the Publicity of the Maryland Business Law Society.