Patrick Cooney established The Federal Group, Inc. in 1999 with the objective of providing high quality government relations consulting services to companies, associations, municipalities and non-profit organizations. Prior to establishing the firm, Mr. Cooney represented the interests of the national clinical laboratory scientists as Associate Director of Government Affairs for the American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science (ASCLS), and the physical therapists as the Senior Policy Advisor for the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA). As the senior advocate for each of these organizations he was responsible for the federal legislative and political strategies of each profession on Capitol Hill. ASCLS and APTA remain valued clients of The Federal Group today. Mr. Cooney served as a congressional aide to Congressman Dick Swett (D-NH) who served the United States House of Representatives from 1991 – 1995. He also served as the State Field Director on the 1990 reelection campaign of the late Senator Jim Exon (D-NE) who served as a Senator from 1979 – 1997. Mr. Cooney has expansive knowledge of the legislative, regulatory, and political processes in Washington. He frequently speaks on government relations matters, particularly in the area of health care policy. As a long time advocate for sound public health policy he formerly served as Chair of the Public Health Advisory Board for the City of Alexandria, Virginia. Mr. Cooney is a graduate of the College of Business at Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. In addition to politics, Mr. Cooney has a passion for baseball and Cornhusker football having grown up in Omaha, Nebraska.