PERRY M. OCHACHER, ESQ.
Founder and President
Perry Ochacher has a career spanning both the public and private sectors as an attorney, political consultant and legislative lobbyist. Prior to launching Willett Public Affairs in 2018, he served as partner, managing partner, senior vice president and counsel to several high-profile Albany lobbying firms (most recently at State & Broadway) providing strategic legal, legislative and communications counsel to clients in the healthcare, transportation, insurance, real estate, retail, financial services, racing and gaming, construction, and telecommunications industries.
(914) 319-9173
After graduating from Georgetown Law School, Ochacher practiced corporate and securities law with a major New York City law firm. He then served in senior positions on several political campaigns on the federal, state and local levels and worked as legal counsel to a popular and long-serving member of the New York State Assembly. In addition to his legislative and political experience, Ochacher also practiced real estate, land use and development law with a leading Westchester County law firm.
From 2002 to 2007, Ochacher served as Clerk/Chief of Staff to the Westchester County Board of Legislators, which is the highest-ranking appointed position in the Westchester County legislature. Prior to this position, Ochacher served as the Director of State Government Affairs for Cablevision Systems Corp., where he helped develop policy positions and government relations strategies to enhance the regulatory environment for this leading telecommunications, media and sports company.
Ochacher has lectured frequently on various topics related to lobbying and public policy and has authored and co-authored several articles on the legal and business aspects of lobbying, as well as an array of other legal subjects. His articles have appeared in publications such as the Westchester County Bar Journal and New York Law Journal.
Ochacher is regularly successful in navigating the complex worlds of government and politics in New York, by lobbying and passing important legislation and resolving other complex public policy matters for his clients.
Ochacher is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of the State University of New York at Binghamton. He received his J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center and is admitted to the New York State Bar, and the U.S. District Courts of Southern and Eastern New York.
MATTHEW H. LESIEUR
Senior Vice President
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Matthew Lesieur has more than 20 years of government relations and public policy experience in New York, with a strong concentration in healthcare policy. His portfolio as Senior Vice President at Willett Public Affairs includes presently serving as the Executive Director/Consultant of iHealth, a statewide collaboration of community-based care management agencies.
Lesieur is a New York City Mayoral appointee to the New York HIV Health and Human Services Planning Council, which is responsible for setting priorities and determining how $100 million in Ryan White Part A federal funds are awarded in the New York metropolitan area. He was unanimously elected Community Co-Chair of the Planning Council through 2020.
Prior to iHealth, Lesieur served as Director of Public Policy at VillageCare, a leading New York City-based, multi-platform, non-profit health care provider that offers services to the frail, elderly and persons living with HIV/AIDS, and other chronic, complex medical conditions. At VillageCare, Matt coordinated the implementation of local, state and national policies and programs that impacted the lives of persons living with complex health conditions.
He also served as: Vice President of Public Policy at the National Association of People with AIDS (NAPWA); Director of Public Policy for the New York AIDS Coalition, an advocacy group representing 150+ community based AIDS service providers throughout New York State; and Administrator for the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, where he managed the City’s $60 million HOPWA program.
Lesieur has a Master’s degree in Political Science from the University at Albany and undergraduate degrees in Political Science and Economics from the University at Albany, New York.
ARNOLD LINHARDT
Senior Advisor
(914) 584-9111
Willett Public Affairs is pleased to announce that veteran Westchester political strategist and lobbyist Arnold Linhardt is joining the firm, effective January 1, 2023. “With Westchester’s growing economy, we were seeking to acquire a lobbying practice that could complement and contribute to our continued growth,” said Perry Ochacher, president of Willett Public Affairs. “Our objective was also to broaden our reach into the non-profit and public interest sectors, particularly for lobbying services related to grants and funding from federal, state, and local government. This is an area that Arnie excels in; his joining Willett will provide our client base with access to a respected strategist that can further help them navigate the complex process of obtaining government funding or grants to move their projects forward.”
Anna Torpey
Research Associate
Anna s a senior at Fordham University majoring in Political Science with a minor in Peace & Justice Studies. She serves as the President of the Fordham University Model United Nations team and recently completed a grant-funded research project under the Fordham College at Rose Hill Summer Research Program. Anna has experience in political campaign work, lobbying, public affairs, public speaking, debate, and archival and political research. After completing her undergraduate degree, she hopes to attend graduate school to continue her studies in international relations, humanitarian studies, or women’s and gender studies. Anna ultimately hopes to pursue a career in international affairs and human rights advocacy. At Willett Public Affairs, Anna assists with general research, scheduling client meetings, and bill tracking.
(917) 545-2670