MEET OUR TEAM
AMY ANNE FORD
MANAGING PARTNER
Amy Anne Ford is a Managing Partner at EMBLEM Strategies, LLC. She is an accomplished entrepreneur and policy expert with a proven track record of success in working to build and grow corporations, non-profit associations and stakeholder groups. Amy has developed extensive expertise in the complex arenas of economic development, project management and administration, health care management, education policy and water resources policy development and implementation.
JOSH MCCLINTOCK
MANAGING PARTNER
Josh McClintock is a Managing Partner at EMBLEM Strategies, LLC, bringing to the firm over two decades of government, business and non-profit expertise. He also serves as Executive Director of the Oklahoma Ground Water Association, where he manages the day-to-day operations of the association, and advocates on behalf of Oklahoma’s groundwater industry with Congress and the Oklahoma Legislature. Josh has developed extensive expertise in the complex arenas of strategic economic development, project management and administration, and water resources policy development and implementation.
SHAWNA MCWATERS
MANAGING PARTNER
Shawna McWaters is a Managing Partner at EMBLEM Strategies, LLC. She is an accomplished program executive with 35+ years of proven experience managing high-value strategic initiatives across the public, non-profit and academic sectors. Shawna is an expert who consistently produces exceptional quality work products that are defensible, meets grant and mission objectives, and secures buy-in from internal and external audiences.
MARY FALLIN-CHRISTENSEN
SENIOR ADVISOR
Mary Fallin-Christensen is an economic visionary with many years of experience in growing and developing commerce and putting Oklahoma on the map as one of the top states in the nation for job creation and business expansion. In July 2020, Mary joined EMBLEM Strategies as Senior Advisor. Her unique talents and experiences, coupled with the vast network she has built over her nearly thirty years in public service, allows EMBLEM to further expand our capacity to offer a comprehensive suite of business services for our clients.
KATHLEEN BATES
STRATEGIC PARTNER
Kathleen Bates is a process design and optimization specialist. She joined EMBLEM Strategies as a Strategic Partner in July 2021, bringing to the firm decades of experience in complex process and project management. Kathleen's expertise includes leading and developing teams of business and IT resources. Her extensive experience in designing and executing programs across the public, private and non-profit sectors make her a leader of cross-functional and enterprise-wide initiatives.
ALLYSON CARSON
STRATEGIC PARTNER
Allyson Carson has spent her career forging new paths and serving others—establishing victim services at the state level, leading and engaging members of a statewide nonprofit, starting her own business, and being a zealous volunteer. Connection and engagement are critical to making a transformational impact. Being intentional and developing meaningful relationships is the foundation of everything she does. Allyson joined EMBLEM Strategies as a Strategic Partner in December 2020, bringing her unique talents to the firm.
SUSAN DAMRON
STRATEGIC PARTNER - LEGAL SERVICES SPECIALIST
Susan Damron is an experienced attorney and special projects consultant following a 30-year career in public service and state leadership which has gone hand-in-hand with community engagement. Susan joined EMBLEM Strategies in August 2021 as a Strategic Partner and Legal Services Specialist, bringing to the firm her extensive expertise in collaborating with federal, state, and local stakeholders as well as securing and managing millions of dollars in federal grants.
AMY CHILDERS ELLIOTT
STRATEGIC PARTNER
Amy Childers Elliott has spent her career working with local governments, non-profits, and startup businesses to develop internal capacity. She joined EMBLEM Strategies as a Strategic Partner in August 2021, bringing to the firm her expertise in working with local stakeholders to translate their ideas into actionable, funded projects.
JOHN "J.R." RESKOVAC
STRATEGIC PARTNER - FEDERAL GOVERNMENT RELATIONS
John “J.R.” Reskovac serves as a Principal of Capitol Decisions Inc., a Federal Government affairs firm in Washington, D.C. He represents various states, communities, and academic institutions across the Nation in their efforts to obtain Federal appropriations for projects ranging across the spectrum of the Federal Government. In July 2021, EMBLEM Strategies formed a strategic partnership with Capitol Decisions, bringing to the firm J.R.'s decades of Capitol Hill expertise and direct access to the key decision makers in Congress and the Federal Agencies.
JILL SHERO
STRATEGIC PARTNER - TRIBAL SERVICES SPECIALIST
Jill Shero joined EMBLEM Strategies as a Strategic Partner in March of 2020, bringing to the firm her significant expertise in promoting economic development and securing federal and state resources for communities—from tribal to congressional and municipal initiatives. She recognizes the unique potential Oklahoma communities have regarding resources, technology, and economic development. Jill has a long track record of success in working with tribal nations and her work has taken her internationally to meet with experts and leaders in infrastructure and political development.
HOPE SUTTERFIELD LEWIS
STRATEGIC PARTNER
Hope Sutterfield began her career at 17 working for a software company focused on municipal and county government . She later started her own business focused on serving Oklahoma non-profits, private companies, and state and federal candidates. Hope joined EMBLEM Strategies as a Strategic Partner in July 2021, bringing to the firm her unique perspective to understand the needs of local governments while also providing insight into the political and governmental aspects as it pertains to federal funding.