Introduction

Shep is a Senior Government Relations Specialist in Fredrikson & Byron’s Government Relations Group. Shep has more than eighteen years of experience in federal, state, county and local government affairs and public policy in a variety of areas, including health and human service, commerce/workforce development, education funding, taxes and judiciary/public safety.

Prior to Fredrikson & Byron, Shep was the Director of the Twin Cities Jewish Community Government Affairs Program. In that position, he protected $28 million in annual funding for a network of Twin Cities human service agencies and educational institutions. Shep also obtained more than $14 million in new government funding for these agencies over a five year period. 

Shep has additional experience in Minnesota and national politics, having worked in the Minnesota Senate’s DFL Caucus research office and having served as Campaign Manager for State Rep. Margaret Anderson Kelliher’s successful 1998 bid for the Minnesota House of Representatives. Shep also gained valuable experience in Washington, D.C. on the staffs of U.S. Sen. J. Bennett Johnston (D-LA) and U.S. Rep. Corrine Brown (D-FL). 

Education

• American University, Washington, D.C., B.A., Political Science, 1994

Practice Areas

• Government Relations

Representative Experience

• Director of Twin Cities Jewish Community Government Affairs Program, Minnesota, 2001-2006
• Campaign Manager, Margaret Kelliher for State Representative, Minnesota, 1998
• Senate Majority Research, Minnesota State Senate, St. Paul, 1999-2001
• Legislative Assistant, U.S. Representative Corrine Brown, U.S. House of Representatives (D-FL-3rd), Washington D.C., 1997
• Projects Assistant, U.S. Senator J. Bennett Johnston, U.S. Senate (D-LA), Washington, D.C., 1995-1997

Selected Publications & Presentations

• “2010 Legislative Session Outlook Review: Briefing Outlines Challenging State Legislative Session Ahead,” FredALERT: Government Relations, February 4, 2010
• Moderator, 2008 Elections Panel on Senior Citizen and Jewish Community Issues  at the Sabes Jewish Community Center (JCC), which included senior staff from the Minnesota McCain and Obama campaigns
• Panelist, 2008 Forum on Lobbying for the Rising Leaders’ Council of the Jewish Community Relations Council of Minnesota and the Dakotas (JCRC)

Professional Activities

• Seven Dreams Foundation (Robbinsdale School District Foundation), Board Member, 2006
• Robbinsdale Schools Legislative Action Coalition, Member, 2005 - Present
• Sabes Jewish Community Center, Board Member, 2008 - Present
• Minnesota Government Relations Council, Associate, 2001-Present
• Golden Valley Human Services Foundation, Board Member, 2006

Honors & Distinctions

• Elected, Mayor of Golden Valley, MN, 2012 - 2015
• Received President’s Award from the Minnesota Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (MNAHPERD), October 2010
• Professional of the Year, Association of Jewish Community State Government Affairs Professionals, 2005
• Obtained $14.1 million over five years in new government funding for senior services, affordable housing, job training and at-risk-youth counseling
• Protected $28 million in annual government health and human service, job training, and education funding for a dozen human service agencies and educational institutions
• Led coalition of private schools organizations that created the 2005-2006 Minnesota Task Force on Special Education in Non-Public Schools