PERRY M. OCHACHER, ESQ.
Founder and President
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Perry Ochacher has a career spanning both the public and private sectors as an attorney, political consultant, and 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, 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.
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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.
pmo@willettpublicaffairs.com
(914) 319-9173
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.
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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.
Esteban A. Maccera
Senior Vice President
Esteban Maccera joins Willett Public Affairs with 17 years of experience in state government and lobbying. Esteban has advocated before New York State and New York City government on behalf of a broad range of industries and non-profits. He has worked with clients to draft and pass complex legislation, and has regularly secured vital state funding for his clients. Esteban has also successfully negotiated with the governor's office and state agencies on behalf of clients in numerous industries to ensure regulations are drafted and implemented appropriately. Most recently, Esteban represented several multinational healthcare companies on legislative and regulatory matters in New York, advancing their policy agendas.
Prior to becoming a lobbyist, Esteban served in the New York State Senate as legislative director for State Senators Jose Peralta and David Carlucci, where he gained invaluable experience in the inner workings of the New York State Legislature . In addition to directing legislative efforts for both Senators, Esteban also aided them in developing funding projects and with official press communications and relations.
Over the course of his career, Esteban has helped draft and navigate numerous, complex bills through the New York State Legislature on issues such as educational funding, property taxation, codes enforcement, public protection, consumer protection, and environmental protection. He also served as Committee Director for the Senate Committee on Consumer Protection, where he presided over committee meetings and planned public hearings throughout New York State.
Esteban graduated from State University of New York at Albany with a BA in Policy Theory and Rhetoric, and has a certification from New York University in Public Relations and Campaign Management. He resides in Albany with his family.
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ARNOLD I. LINHARDT
Senior Advisor
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Willett Public Affairs is pleased to announce that veteran Westchester political strategist and lobbyist Arnold Linhardt has joined the firm. “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.”​
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Arnold Linhardt is a lobbyist and political strategist with a 50-year career in the government and non-profit fields. Prior to Linhardt joining Willett, his company, Strategic Services, provided political consulting, public affairs, and community relations services to political candidates, commercial enterprises, and non-profits seeking government grants and funding. Previously, Linhardt was Chief of Staff to former New York State Congressman Eliot Engel.
As President of Strategic Services, Linhardt helped clients such as the Tarrytown Music Hall, Hudson River Museum, Arts Westchester, and the Holocaust and Human Rights Education Center secure vital program funding and other grants from federal, state, and county government, allowing these treasured local institutions to grow and thrive.
Linhardt is currently an adjunct professor in the political science department at Fordham University. He was also an adjunct professor of government at Baruch, Lehman, Manhattanville, and Mercy Colleges. He received an Executive Master’s degree in Public Administration from Baruch College, City University of New York, and he has a BA degree in Political Science from Fordham University.
DIANE J. BARRETT
Senior Policy Advisor
Diane Barrett is a key player in government relations and healthcare policy in New York. Her professional career began with the New York State Legislature, serving as a chief of staff for two years to a senior member of the Assembly. After the Assembly, Diane focused on healthcare policy as the Senior Director of Government Relations and Public Affairs at the Continuing Care Leadership Coalition (CCLC). During her tenure at CCLC, Diane had the unique opportunity to form effective coalitions, shape healthcare legislation, and significantly influence public policy. After CCLC, Diane continued her focus on healthcare policy as the Vice President of Government Relations and Public Affairs at ArchCare, a nonprofit long-term care provider.
In addition to her direct experience in public policy, Diane has worked for the City University of New York, teaching public policy and healthcare administration. She enjoys teaching and encouraging students to pursue careers in these fields. Currently, Diane is a professor at the New York City College of Technology, teaching healthcare policy and service delivery.
ALYSSA R.W. SAWICKI
Research Associate
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Alyssa Sawicki is a student at Fordham University’s Graduate School of Arts and Sciences working towards her MS in Applied Psychological Methods. She previously graduated from Fordham’s undergraduate school with a double major in Political Science and Psychology. During her time at Fordham she was active in the Korean Student Association, the Political Review, and Dr. Raposa’s Youth Stress & Mental Health Lab. Alyssa has previously worked on New York City Council and congressional campaigns, and has also interned for a New York State assemblyman in Queens. Alyssa works at the Neighborhood Housing Services of Queens, is an elected member on the board of the Queens County Young Democrats, and is an Advocacy Ambassador for the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). She hopes to pursue a career in mental health policy advocacy. At Willet, Alyssa helps with scheduling and general research.
as@willettpublicaffairs.com
(347) 925-4676
ANNA TORPEY
Special Projects
Anna Torpey is a recent honors graduate of Fordham University with a BA in Political Science. During her time at Fordham, Anna participated in public speaking, debate, and archival and political research with publications in two journals. She also worked on a New York City mayoral campaign and at a New Jersey-based lobbying and government affairs firm. Anna is presently attending graduate school for international relations, humanitarian studies, or women’s and gender studies and ultimately wishes to pursue a career in international affairs and human rights advocacy. At Willett Public Affairs, Anna now assists with special projects.
