Since 1979 Capitol Strategies Group (CSG) has set the standard for professional counsel in California government relations, contract procurement, and association management. Representing a broad client base before the legislature, regulatory agencies, and the executive branch requires that the CSG team understand complex statewide developments and provide context for effective action on behalf of each client. Additionally, we leverage our team’s long-term experience in local and statewide campaigns to provide strategic recommendations and political advice. Our firm represents clients before the Governor, his administration, each constitutional officer, the state legislature, and almost every California state agency.

FIRM SPECIALTY

CSG’s services include state contract procurement, bureaucratic problem solving, and a full suite of legislative advocacy activities. Our services are tailored to meet a client’s specific needs and range from monitoring, research, and consultation to direct and indirect lobbying. CSG also manages multiple trade associations and this work frequently requires the organization of large meetings and legislative visits.

TAG CONTACTS

DENNIS L. LOPER serves as President of CSG. Mr. Loper is viewed as one of Sacramento’s most influential advocates. He is a hands-on leader who brings his experience and expertise into every negotiation, into every committee room, and into every opportunity he has to represent his client. He is recognized by elected officials, CEOs, and other lobbyists for his political and policy expertise and aggressive pursuit of the client’s interests.

Whether the issues have been procurement of million-dollar state contracts, energy deregulation, alcohol regulation, economic development, insurance regulation, gaming regulation or taxes, Mr. Loper has provided the leadership, the political savvy, and the follow-through for clients. He not only strives for the best result, but also works to foster better relationships in the process.

Mr. Loper’s track record for our clients has resulted in many long-standing relationships. We are proud that many the firm’s clients have been with CSG for over two decades, and two, the California Distributors Association and the California State Outdoor Advertising Association, have been with CSG since our inception.

MEGHAN LOPER serves as Vice President and has been helping shape State policy for more than decade. She joined CSG with extensive government affairs experience advocating for private businesses and working with elected officials. Ms. Loper has a unique ability to identify policy opportunities, develop effective advocacy strategies and achieve success by utilizing her bipartisan network with key decision-makers.

Prior to joining CSG, Ms. Loper served as Public Policy Director for Majestic Realty Co., one of the nation’s largest privately held, family-owned real estate development firms. With Majestic properties playing a critical role in the supply chain, Ms. Loper served on several regional goods movement committees and stakeholder agency advisory groups. She gained extensive experience on transportation issues by serving as the lead staffer for a member of the California Transportation Commission. Ms. Loper was also the Program Director for the Majestic Realty Foundation, collaborating with nonprofits on programs related to health, education, and violence prevention. She advised the Foundation’s board of directors and regional planning teams. She developed the curriculum for its flagship program, the Los Angeles Youth Leadership Council.

Ms. Loper was selected for the prestigious Coro Fellows Program in Public Affairs in Los Angeles. Coro is a graduate-level leadership training program that provides experience in the public affairs arena.

Ms. Loper received her MBA from the Marshall School of Business at the University of Southern California. A two-time Trojan grad, she also graduated Cum Laude with departmental honors and holds a Bachelor of Science in Public Policy and Management from the University of Southern California. She serves on Leadership Council for the Sol Price School of Public Policy at USC.

DAVID CREAGER is a lobbyist at CSG. Mr. Creager’s political and legislative experience spans over a decade and across multiple disciplines. Prior to joining Capitol Strategies Group, Mr. Creager served members of both houses in the legislature, has managed statewide political organizations, and worked for a multi-state trade association.

Most recently Mr. Creager worked in the State Assembly as Chief of Staff to Assemblymember Dante Acosta where he counseled the member on policy issues relating to Natural Resources, Governmental Organization, and Banking and Finance.

Previously Mr. Creager worked as Grassroots and Political Director for the California Credit Union League where he organized the association’s membership to effect political and policy outcomes in Sacramento and Washington DC.

Mr. Creager has also managed numerous local government, legislative and congressional races, and oversaw public affairs activities for multiple Fortune 500 companies as part of a contract public affairs firm.

Mr. Creager and his wife, Bernice, reside in Sacramento where they have lived since 2003.

NEIL CLARK is the Research and Procurement Analyst at CSG. Before joining Capitol Strategies Group, Mr. Clark worked as a legislative consultant for the Speaker’s Office of Research and Floor Analysis. In this position, he was responsible for producing objective analyses for bills originating in the Committees on Business & Professions, Labor and Employment, and Privacy and Consumer Protections. In addition, he contributed to research papers on emerging policy issues relevant to the Speaker and the Assembly.

Prior work at the Fair Political Practices Commission, California Strategies, and The Raben Group (Washington, D.C.) contributed to Mr. Clark’s understanding and knowledge of the Capitol and legislative environment.

Mr. Clark’s interests in public policy and legislation were shaped during his time earning a JD at McGeorge School of Law and while studying philosophy and sociology at UC Santa Cruz. At McGeorge, Mr. Clark focused on classes concerning legislation and capital lawyering, and competed on the mock trial team. At UC Santa Cruz, Mr. Clark was a Stevenson Junior Fellow who served as an instructor for a core class for freshman.