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The firm was put on hiatus in June of 2009 when Chris accepted an appointment to join the <br />Pawlenty administration as the governor's Director of Legislative and Cabinet Affairs. <br />With his state service recently completed, the firm is once again offering clients a full range of <br />governmental relations and public relations services. <br />About Chris DeLaForest <br />Chris DeLaForest brings a wealth of political experience, leadership/ management skills, and <br />legal training to bear on behalf of clients. <br />He recently stepped down as Governor Pawlenty's Director of Legislative and Cabinet Affairs, a <br />position that serves as the governor's most senior policy advisor. Chris led a team of policy <br />advisors that was responsible for crafting and implementing the governor's entire legislative <br />agenda. He was also tasked to act as the governor's representative to the legislative, all state <br />agencies, and the federal government. In short, Chris had the opportunity to truly "get under the <br />hood" of state government and learn how government operates in a way few people ever see. <br />In addition to executive branch experience, Chris served for three terms in the Minnesota House <br />of Representatives, serving District 49A in central Anoka County. During his three terms, he <br />served in a large majority, a nearly tied House (68 -66), and in a small minority. Experiencing all <br />three dynamics taught him the value of establishing strong relationships across the partisan <br />spectrum. <br />During his tenure, Chris served on the following committees: <br />Civil Law <br />Taxes <br />Transportation <br />Commerce <br />State Government Finance <br />His leadership and management background also includes military service. Chris served as an <br />Army officer on active duty for four years, where he led a tank platoon, a reconnaissance <br />platoon, and battalion staff cell responsible for training and operations. He was twice promoted <br />and honorably discharged at the rank of captain. <br />Chris also boasts a legal background that gives his clients the comfort of knowing that he can <br />review and scrutinize the sometimes confusing language of legislative documents to ensure that <br />any proposed bill or amendment meets their needs and supports their goals. <br />