Rick Stilgenbauer is a government relations expert with over 20 years of experience bridging the gaps between private enterprise, regulatory agencies, and policymakers. His long-established professional relationships with government officials at all tiers—hyper-local, state, federal, and international—allow Bianchi & Brandt to provide our clients with well-informed government relations services, unique insight on regulatory enforcement, and forward-looking counsel. With a goal of finding the best possible outcomes for all stakeholders, Rick’s creative, solutions-based approach ranges from directly informing public policy to establishing community-run support organizations for enhanced representation.
Under Rick’s leadership, Bianchi & Brandt Governmental Affairs will develop meaningful strategic partnerships for our private-sector clients in diverse industries such as: defense contracting; automobile manufacturing; semiconductor manufacturing; higher education; mining; and cannabis businesses seeking representation and advocacy.
Our public-sector clients benefit from comprehensive support in creating policies that address complex issues surrounding compliance, rule implementation and enforcement. Rick and the Governmental Affairs team also regularly work with elected and appointed officials to establish frameworks for taxation, compliance enforcement, data reporting and other concerns that are in line with local and state statutes.
Prior to joining the Bianchi & Brandt team, Rick held the role of Senior Public Policy Advisor at the multinational and multidisciplinary firm Squire Patton Boggs. He also served as Director of Arizona Operations and Outreach for the late U.S. Senator John McCain, where he focused on the senator’s state legislative priorities and acted as a liaison between Sen. McCain’s congressional offices in Washington D.C. and his campaign offices in Arizona. He was instrumental in increasing the involvement of Arizona citizens with Sen. McCain, as well as raising the profile and influence of Arizona’s elected representatives on Capitol Hill. Rick also served in the office of Federal Relations for the University of Arizona and as a staffer in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Originally from Ohio, Rick lives in Phoenix and spends his time outside the office with his family. He has a bachelor’s in Journalism from the University of Arizona.
