Emily K. Bacque

Emily Bacque is the Director of Policy at CJ Lake, LLC.  Since 2004, Emily has worked with local governments on issues including housing, flood control, energy, transportation, health care, law enforcement, and public safety initiatives.  She has also focused on authorization and appropriations legislation benefiting local governments, universities, hospitals and transportation agencies.  She brings incredible experience, depth, and value to the firm’s appropriations and budget practice.  This experience has led to the development of successful federal advocacy agendas tailored to each client’s unique federal needs.

Emily worked for Senator John Breaux (D-LA), a member of the Senate Commerce and Finance Committees, for six years where she served as Legislative Assistant responsible for handling Defense, Foreign Affairs, Veterans, and Homeland Security issues.  In addition, Emily was the appropriations coordinator for the office, responsible for coordinating the office efforts to secure Federal funding for Louisiana programs and projects. 

Emily received her Bachelors Degree in International Studies from Rhodes College in Memphis, Tennessee.

Kate Hallahan

Kate Hallahan has three decades of public sector experience having served in senior positions in the executive and legislative branches of government, including over fifteen years of experience on the Appropriations Committee of the United States Congress.  Kate served for five years as a professional staff member on the Senate Transportation Appropriations Subcommittee under the leadership of Senator Patty Murray of Washington State.  In 2006, Kate joined the House Appropriations Committee as Democratic clerk of the Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies, where she most recently served under Full Committee Ranking Member Nita Lowey (NY-17) and Subcommittee Ranking Member David Price (NC-04).   Kate has extensive knowledge of the legislative and appropriations process having worked on more than a dozen appropriations acts, including the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.       

Kate also served six years at the Department of Transportation during the Clinton Administration, including positions as a congressional relations officer, special assistant to the Secretary of Transportation, senior policy advisor to the Deputy Secretary, and as Deputy Assistant Administrator for Government Affairs at the Federal Aviation Administration. 

Kate has been recognized for her legislative accomplishments and commitment to public service having received the Congressional Staffer of the Year Award in 2003 from Mothers Against Drunk Driving; the Kevin Quinlan Award for Excellence in Traffic Safety in 2013; and the Congressional Staff Award of Excellence in 2015 from Women in Government Relations.  During 111th Congress, Kate was selected as a fellow for the John C. Stennis Center for Public Service Leadership.