Primary Consultants
Walter “Butch” Maki
Tested as a helicopter combat soldier in Vietnam, and in the trenches of congressional politics, Butch brings tough-minded experience and judgment to the arena of government affairs. As the long-time district director for then-congressman Bill Richardson, Butch formed professional relationships with New Mexico’s federal, state, and local political and grassroots leaders. He founded Butch Maki & Associates in 1992, and has helped countless clients achieve their policy goals. Butch received a bachelor’s degree from Arizona State University, and attended specialized classes on Congressional Process, Appropriations and Authorizations. Butch also owns other New Mexico businesses; this expertise greatly enhances his ability to understand and meet client needs.
Vanessa Alarid, Associate
Vanessa has extensive experience in the political as well as the corporate world. Vanessa grew up on the floor of the New Mexico Legislature where her grandfather was a State Senator for 28 years as well as the Majority Floor leader. Vanessa has excellent relationships with both Democratic and Republican legislators, Mayors, County Commissioners, and City Councilors, across the state. Vanessa knows each of our federally elected members of Congress on a personal level. From 2006- March of 2010, she worked with SunCal Companies, a large real estate developer controlling 55,000 acres, half the size of Albuquerque, as the government affairs director. Her role focused on multi-million dollar Tax Increment Development Districts (often referred to as TIDDs), New Mexico tax initiatives, corporate tax policy, business policy, economic development retention and recruitment. Prior to her work with SunCal, Vanessa served as Executive Director of the Democratic Party of New Mexico and national Vice President of the Association of State Democratic Executive Directors. In this role, she supervised the Party’s Presidential campaign, media and financial relations, directed field operations, and created the voter file, as well as drafted campaign plans for legislative races. In addition, she acted as political liaison to all New Mexico Democratic officials, including Governor Richardson, state Congressional representatives and local Mayors.
Vanessa’s past experience also includes work with the New Mexico State Legislature as a Majority Analyst, Fellow with the New Mexico Office of Homeland Security, and Congressional Fellow with Bill Richardson and Ted Kennedy. She holds a B.A. in Political Science and Criminology from the University of New Mexico and a Masters of International Affairs with a concentration in International Security Policy, from Columbia University in the City of New York.
Of Counsel
Governor Dave Cargo (R)
This former Republican chief executive of New Mexico helped implement the Medicare and Medicaid programs in this state. He continues to take an active interest in healthcare policy, remains involved in state politics and maintains a state-wide network of long-time personal and political contacts.
Governor Jerry Apodaca (D)
He made his name as a consensus building Democratic state senator and took those skills to the governor’s office. A leader in the Hispanic community, Governor Apodaca has worked to bring about racial and ethnic equality in the boardrooms of corporate America. He has successfully mediated disputes with Adolph-Coors, Ford Motor Company, McDonalds, and many other businesses. Most recently he has been involved with charter school initiatives in Texas.