Our mission here at Kissel, Kohout, ES Associates is to provide our clients with the best, most comprehensive government relations services the state of Nebraska has to offer. Fostering congenial, professional relationships with our clients allows us to know their needs inside and out, and it is then that we are able to use our extensive contacts within the state government to achieve the goals set forth by our clients. Our firm is bi-partisan, and willing to work with any and all stakeholders to ensure that our clients are the most satisfied in the state.

FIRM SPECIALTY

With over 50 years of experience dedicated to lobbying and public affairs, the team at Kissel, Kohout, ES Associates has developed strong relationships with state senators, agency directors, and the Governor’s office. The entire team at Kissel, Kohout will meet with legislators, staff, and other elected officials to support or oppose legislation on your behalf. Our approach to the Legislature is that our clients tell the best stories and are the best advocates for what we are trying to achieve. As such, we encourage our clients to make themselves available for the highest priority issues pending before the Unicameral. We happily work with our clients to develop testimony and materials for the committee and coalitions with other interested parties to maximize results. Much like issues that face any business or association, there is no single way to handle an issue. Each one must be managed differently depending on multiple variables. With that in mind, the firm takes a team approach—we do what is needed to get the job done, together. When one of us works on an issue, we all work on that issue. Because of our relatively small client base, we can respond quickly and effectively to meet our clients’ needs. With less than 40 clients, we are very responsive and agile.

TAG CONTACTS

Joe Kohout is a native of Omaha, Nebraska, and has served as a registered lobbyist before the Nebraska Legislature since 2002. Prior to joining Kissel, Kohout, ES Associates, Joe worked as a Legislative Aide in the Nebraska Legislature, gaining valuable expertise in committee operations, the legislative process, and constituent services. Since joining the firm he has secured significant successes for clients, including the development of the Nebraska Advantage Transformational Tourism and Redevelopment Act, consistent funding for Nebraska’s CASA system, and the defeat of legislation that would have imposed costly mandates on Nebraska’s counties or halted infrastructure development. He represents a diverse portfolio of clients, including BNSF Railway, Associated Beverage Distributors of Nebraska, the Lancaster County Board of Commissioners, the United Cities of Sarpy County, NioCorp's Elk Creek Project, Tallgrass Energy, Enbridge, and Roblox. Joe is a member of both the Nebraska State Bar Association and the Omaha Bar Association, and is admitted to practice before the Nebraska Supreme Court and the U.S. District Court for the District of Nebraska. His professional focus is exclusively on governmental affairs and firm management, serving as the primary contact for all clients. Joe is the co-author of the Nebraska chapter in the State Capital Group’s Lobbying, PACs and Campaign Finance: 50 State Handbook on Lobbying Laws and Regulations in the Individual States, originally drafted by former Nebraska Governor Charles Thone, the founder of Kissel, Kohout, ES Associates. Joe and his wife, Victoria—Chief for External Affairs at the University of Nebraska at Omaha—reside in Omaha with their two sons, Jackson, a junior at the University of Nebraska– Lincoln, and Harrison, a junior at Creighton Preparatory School.

Contact Joe: jkohout@kisselkohoutes.com

(402 670-3576

A native Nebraskan, Brennen Miller joined Kissel Kohout ES Associates in 2017 with over a decade of previous experience in the Nebraska public policy arena. Before joining First Five, Brennen served as a staff member in the Nebraska Legislature, starting as a Legislative Page during college. His duties included assisting then-Speaker Mike Flood (now a member of the United States House of Representatives). He then served as an aide to the Chair of the Revenue Committee Senator Abbie Cornett, Senator Sue Crawford, and as the Clerk to the Health and Human Services Committee under the leadership of Senator Kathy Campbell. During his tenure as committee clerk, Brennen developed many of the digital tools that the legislature widely utilizes today for hearing processes including online submission of testimony and supporting documents. During his time with Senator Abbie Cornett he was instrumental in the passage of legislation assisting municipalities and creating new economic development tools. Brennen serves in a leadership role on the Board of Trustees of the Sheldon Museum of Art where his fundraising initiatives total over two million dollars. As well, he serves on the board of the State Museum, the Lincoln Gridiron Association, and is a former member of the Lincoln Parks and Recreation Board, the Nebraska Club, and the Medici Foundation. He is an alumnus of the University of Nebraska- Lincoln where he focused on political science and history. Brennen and his wife, Dr. Jennifer Shaw, a vascular neurologist at Nebraska Medicine and the University of Nebraska Medical Center, live in the Dundee neighborhood of Omaha with their son, Woods.

Contact Brennen: bmiller@kisselkohoutes.com

(402 617-2359

Sarah Wagelie, a Lincoln resident, and Omaha native joined Kissel Kohout ES Associates in November 2022. With nearly seven years of experience in the Nebraska Legislature, her work experience included two stints as an aide for Senator Matt Hansen of Northeast Lincoln and as Legislative Aide for Senator Dan Quick of Grand Island during his first four years in the Unicameral. During her time as a legislative staff member Sarah was instrumental in passing legislation establishing municipal landbanks as an economic tool for communities across Nebraska, as well as protections for behavioral health services. Sarah graduated from Ralston High School (A longtime client of the firm. Go Rams!) where she was valedictorian, and from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln with honors and high distinction, and a public policy certificate. Sarah and her husband Matt Showalter, a senior accountant at Duncan Aviation, live in Lincoln.

Contact Sarah: swagelie@kisselkohoutes.com

(402) 990-4162