Ed Farmer CEO & PRESIDENT

Ed served as Chief of Staff to Congressman Bill Pascrell, Jr. (N.J.-8) for seven years. As the highest-ranking member of the team, Ed was responsible for oversight of all facets of the Congressman’s offices in Washington, D.C. and New Jersey. Congressman Pascrell’s assignments on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and the House Committee on Homeland Security have given Ed the institutional knowledge and access needed to fully serve New Jersey’s municipal and county governments, private sector entities, as well as non-profit agencies and hospitals. In addition, Ed served as Chairman of the Board at Passaic County Community College.

At Millennium, Ed specializes in shepherding critical projects to completion with New Jersey Transit and the state and federal transportation departments. Through his vast wealth of experience, Ed has forged strong and lasting contacts with leaders throughout the State of New Jersey and beyond.

Susan M. Scavone Principal

Sue has more than 20 years of experience in public outreach, grant writing, and governmental affairs. She has served in the administration of Governor James J. Florio, on the staff of several members of the New Jersey Senate and Assembly and in Essex County government. Prior to joining Millennium Strategies, Sue served as President of SMS Consulting Services, Inc. for ten years, where she provided governmental relations, grant procurement, and consulting services to both private and public sector clients.

Through her time with Millennium, she has become the firm’s leader on disaster recovery projects and funding procurement, securing her position as a regional expert in FEMA Public Assistance and Hazard Mitigation Grant Programs. Since inception, Millennium has secured over $105 million in hazard mitigation and disaster recovery funds under Susan’s direction. Susan’s knowledge of the field and existing relationships enable her to communicate effectively with multiple levels of stakeholders on complex projects, ensuring that all stages of a project are followed through and communicated in the most effective and efficient way possible.

Andrew Sinclair Director of Business Development & Marketing

Andrew leads the firm’s business development and marketing efforts. Andrew has 20 years of experience representing clients at the state, county and local levels of government. His practices include: economic development, energy, information technology, real estate and transportation. In addition, Andrew has developed an extensive network of relationships with business leaders and corporations throughout New Jersey. Before joining Millennium, Andrew was a senior lobbyist with the Princeton Public Affairs Group from 2002-2014 and prior to that, he served as Special Assistant to the Commissioner of Transportation from 1998-2002. Andrew holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Delaware.

Bernadette P. McPherson, Esq. Director of Outreach

Bernadette is instrumental in marketing Millennium Strategies to prospective clients. Additionally, she adds invaluable counsel with her expertise and experience in local and county government. As a member of the Bergen County Board of Chosen Freeholders from 2003 to 2011, Bernadette served as Chairwoman in 2004 and 2005. She served as Mayor of Rutherford from 2000 to 2007. She remains active in politics and currently serves as the Legislative District 36 Chairwoman for the Democratic Committee of Bergen County. Bernadette was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and was awarded a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and English Magna Cum Laude from La Salle University in 1983. She received her Juris Doctorate from Temple University School of Law in 1986. Since August 2011, she has been an Adjunct Assistant Professor at John Jay College of Criminal Justice in the Law and Police Science Department.

Lisa Martinez Director of Operations

Lisa manages the day-to-day operations of Millennium. She served as Field Director and Scheduler for Congressman Bill Pascrell, Jr. (N.J.-8) for nine years. In this critical position, Lisa was responsible for maintaining the Congressman’s New Jersey schedule and managing all community outreach activities for the congressional office. She strategically coordinated field activities with the Congressman’s legislative agenda and administered government relations issues with all state and local entities. Lisa has an extensive knowledge of the federal government and enjoys an excellent reputation and track record for her work on projects in the public and private sector. Her organizational skills have helped Millennium become an industry leader and one of the fastest growing government affairs firms in New Jersey.

Christopher Sprague Director of Client Services

Since joining Millennium in 2010, Chris has secured over $10 million in grant funding for municipal, school district and non-profit clients. Through the preparation of successful proposals to federal, state, county, local and private foundation funding sources, Chris has supported a wide range of critical projects in the communities we serve, including transportation, open space, education, sustainability, security, law enforcement, health, and financial education projects. Additionally, Chris works with non-profit clients in support of their organizational development strategies, including the preparation of community assessments, strategic plans, press releases, and program development. Chris holds Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees from Seton Hall University.

David Jenkins Director of Client Services

Over the last three years, Dave has assisted his clients by procuring roughly $50,000,000 in grant funding. He has successfully written and managed grants to enable the development of transportation, open space, education, security, fire, law enforcement, human services, hazard mitigation and economic development related initiatives. Dave has developed a unique expertise in the field of disaster recovery and sustainability and is responsible for facilitating the procurement and administration of nearly every hazard mitigation project that Millennium has been involved with over the last three years. Prior to joining the firm, Dave served as Chief of Staff to Assemblyman Joseph Cryan during his tenure as Chairman of the New Jersey Democratic State Committee, and Majority Leader of the New Jersey General Assembly. Dave holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Elon University.

Peter Blanos Director of Client Services

Peter has been a member of the firm since December 2011. Peter has secured over $7 million in funding on behalf of his clients for transportation, open space, law enforcement, fire prevention, pedestrian safety, education, infrastructure, sustainability and recreation related projects. Peter has also assisted with the administration and recovery of over $1,500,000 in previously awarded grants to help clear bureaucratic red tape and allow for his clients to take full advantage of their grant awards. Peter holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Scranton.

Andrea Ramalho Grants Manager

Andrea Ramalho joined Millennium Strategies as a Research Associate in 2014. Prior to this position, Andrea worked on behalf of a variety of nonprofit organizations, government relations firms, and leadership skill-development conferences, both domestic and abroad. Currently, Andrea holds a Master of Science in Conflict Analysis and Resolution from George Mason University, as well as a Master of Arts in Conflict Resolution and Security from the Mediterranean Academy of Diplomatic Studies. Prior to earning her graduate degrees, she earned her Bachelor of Arts in Politics and Anthropology, receiving high honors from The Catholic University of America.

Catherine Kapura Grants Manager

Catherine Kapura joined Millennium in 2015 as a Grants Manager and is currently working with clients that range from county government, cities and suburban municipalities, as well as not for profit entities. Catherine holds a B.A. in English from Fairfield University and an M.P.P. in Environmental Policy and International Development from the University of Maryland. In addition to her formal studies Catherine is also a LEED Green Associate as recognized by the U.S. Green Building Council.

Denise Rodriguez, Ph.D. Grants Manager

Denise Rodriguez joined Millennium in 2016 as Grants Manager. Her grant writing experience has centered around education, the arts and community-building initiatives, specifically in Asbury Park and Downtown Newark. Denise graduated Magna CUM Laude with a BA in English and minor in Spanish from Wagner College. She holds a PhD in English from the CUNY Graduate Center, where she studied under Pulitzer-Prize-winning scholar Louis Menand. She was a Writing Fellow at Borough of Manhattan Community College, an Adjunct Professor of English at City College, and an Assistant Professor of English at The College of Mount Saint Vincent in Riverdale, New York.

Laura Wintroub Grants Manager

Laura Wintroub joined Millennium in 2015 as a Grants Manager and is currently assisting a variety of municipal and education clients. Prior to joining the firm, Laura spent 13 years working with several community development non-profit entities, focusing on economic development and entrepreneurship training. She has led program development, managed community investment pooled loan funds, and overseen grant writing activities. Laura holds a B.A. in History from Haverford College and currently serves on the Strategic Advisory Board of Rising Tide Capital, a nonprofit entrepreneurship training organization located in Jersey City, N.J.

Danielle Anderson Grants Associate

Danielle Anderson joined Millennium Strategies as Grants Assistant in fall 2014. Danielle provides organizational support to obtain and disseminate important grant information to grant managers and their clients. Prior to this position, Danielle worked in Washington, DC as a political protégé, organizing and deploying social initiatives of a local political Super PAC. Danielle earned a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Northwestern University.

Jamel Holley Business Development Manager

In 2015, Jamel Holley was elected to the New Jersey General Assembly representing the 20th Legislative District. He serves on the Assembly Higher Education Committee, the Assembly Housing and Community Development Committee and the Assembly Women and Children Committee. Jamel has been regarded as one of the most engaged young elected officials in the State of New Jersey. In 2001, Jamel became the youngest elected official in Union County when he was elected as Councilman At-Large of the Borough of Roselle, New Jersey. Holley served as the Mayor for the Borough. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree from New Jersey City University and holds a Master of Public Administration from Kean University.