ABOUT US
Smith Policy Group provides a team-oriented approach to solving our clients’ legislative, regulatory, and funding priorities. Whether its legislative strategy, regulatory support, project and program funding development, budget process expertise, or overall policy guidance, SPG has strategically assembled a team of experts to meet our clients’ needs. The firm has deep expertise in the areas of natural resources, water, infrastructure, energy, transportation, and more and has widespread relationships with Legislative leadership and the Governor’s office, including key committee chairs, staff and members of policy and budget committees.
SPG staff is also regularly present in Washington D.C. and provides federal consulting services for clients to improve relationships with Congressional representatives and agencies, secure federal funding, and impact joint federal/state/regional efforts. SPG offers strong connections to California’s Congressional delegation, including key policy-makers and appropriators in the United States House and Senate.
TEAM
Mark Smith, MBA, Principal and Founder, Smith Policy Group
Mark is the Principal and Founder of Smith Policy Group, founded in 2018. Mark is a veteran of California policy and politics, having worked in the field in one capacity or another for over 23 years. Mark launched Smith Policy Group, a leading government relations firm in California’s capital city, in 2018 after 11 years as a lobbyist working for trade associations, non-profits, utility companies and large Fortune 500 organizations. The Smith Policy Group leverages a wealth of team talent, expertise and partnerships to advance client priorities in both Sacramento and Washington, DC.Smith Policy Group provides a team-oriented approach to solving clients’ legislative, regulatory, and funding priorities. Whether it is legislative strategy, regulatory support, project and program funding development, budget process expertise, or overall policy guidance, the firm has deep expertise and widespread relationships with Legislative leadership and the Governor’s office, including key committee chairs, staff and members of policy and budget committees to accomplish clients’ objectives.
Prior to founding Smith Policy Group, Mark was a contract lobbyist and Senior Policy Advisor at Environmental and Energy Consulting and Conservation Strategy Group. Before that, Mark was the Western Region Director of Public Policy for Ducks Unlimited, where he directed all local, state, and federal policy and strategy for nine western states. He previously worked as an in-house lobbyist for Sempra Energy, one of the state’s largest investor-owned utilities, and represented ACEC California for 6 years as their in-house lobbyist.
He has also worked as a Legislative Director in both the California Senate and Assembly. Mark started his career in policy and politics in the Capital Fellows Programs, a nationally recognized public policy fellowships which offer unique experiences in policy-making and development in each branch of government.
In his “spare” time Mark is an Adjunct Professor at the University of California Davis Graduate School of Management where he has taught a self-created course “ The Business of Politics” for the past 15 years. He lives with his partner and their black lab in Fair Oaks, California.
COMMUNITY & PROFESSIONAL
Adjunct Professor, University of California Davis Graduate School of Management
Executive Committee, Institute of Governmental Advocates
California Water Commission’s Stakeholder Advisory Committee for Proposition 1 appointee
Water Leader, Water Education Foundation, 2007
Past President, Capitol Fellows Alumni Program
EDUCATION
University of California, Davis, B.S. Microbiology 1999
University of California, Davis Graduate School of Management, MBA 2010
Sara Noceto
Sara E. Noceto is a Senior Policy Advisor with SKV Advocacy. She has over a decade of experience working in state government for both the legislative and executive branches. With a strong background in policy analysis, bill writing, and advocacy, she has proven expertise in navigating California’s complex legislative and regulatory environment. Sara most recently served as a Legislative Representative for the California Department of Education (CDE), where she monitored legislative, regulatory, and budget activity and served as liaison between the CDE and the Legislature, public education organizations, and other entities.She staffed bills throughout the legislative process and advised the State Superintendent of Public Instruction (SSPI) on his bill package. Sara also advocated for CDE positions on legislation and represented the SSPI and the department in committee testimony, speaking events, site visits, and other official engagements.
Prior to joining the CDE, Sara served as a Consultant for the California State Senate Office of Research, where she assisted Senators and staff throughout the legislative process, including generating bill ideas, crafting and amending legislation, and preparing briefing materials for hearings for a variety of policy areas. She also served as the State Senate’s federal liaison on education policy.
Earlier in her career, Sara worked as a Government Performance Auditor for the Office of the California State Auditor, where she evaluated the effectiveness of governmental programs and drafted reports for both public and legislative audiences. She also worked as a Legislative Assistant for the Office of Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr., where she staffed bills and prepared analysis and advice regarding pending legislation.
Sara is a 6th generation Californian. She holds degrees in Economics and International Relations from the University of California, Davis. She also serves on the Yolo County Arts Board.
Ann Anderson
Ann Arthur Anderson has extensive experience in administrative activities connected with the California State Legislature, US Congress and federal and state regulatory agencies. She has several decades of experience working with leading California lobbying firms, the California Legislature, and others on scheduling, correspondence, committee engagement, position statement submissions, campaign finance paperwork, and more. She most recently worked for Lynch and Associates prior to her current position.
Ann currently works with legislative advocates in scheduling meetings with California legislators and regulatory agencies, monitoring various state meetings and doing research on requested topics. Prior to this, Ann worked in human resources at Goodwill Industries in Portland, Oregon, and taught junior high language arts and social studies in Indiana.
She is a graduate of Butler University and completed graduate classes in English literature (Butler) and business (University of Wisconsin-Madison). She lives with her husband in Sacramento, CA.
SERVICES
Legislative
Smith Policy Group staff have decades of experience drafting, sponsoring, and managing legislation through the California and federal legislative process. We work with our clients to identify key policy objectives, build coalitions to support legislative engagement, testify before legislative and regulatory bodies, and garner Administration support for policy proposals. As a full service lobbying firm, we also monitor and track over 2,500 pieces of legislation annually and help clients engage in meaningful support and opposition relative to their policy priorities.
Regulatory
Navigating the complexities of state and federal bureaucracy requires an insiders perspective based on strong personal relationships. The SPG team relies on strong networks and deep experience to advise our clients on successful engagement strategies with appointees, regulators, and professional staff.
Budget and Grants
Smith Policy Group works with our clients to promote state and federal investments for natural resource, infrastructure, and other funding priorities. Additionally, SPG staff are skilled in helping clients access grant funding from a variety of state and federal agencies, including voter approved propositions. SPG has helped clients secure hundreds of millions of dollars for water infrastructure, conservation, easements and fee title acquisitions, outdoor recreation and other priorities.
Legislative Visit Days
Broadcasting your voice in today’s crowded policy and political landscape is critical. Smith Policy Group excels at organizing Legislative Visit Days, helping our clients make their presence felt in face-to-face meeting on Capitol Hill, in Sacramento, and district offices. We offer a full menu of services from drafting talking points and leave behinds, finding key note speakers, and hosting legislative receptions.
Campaigns
SPG team members have extensive experience working on and managing ballot measure campaigns, including previous infrastructure, water, parks, and resources bonds approved by California voters over the past decade. We have helped clients secure funding for priorities in such measures as Prop 50, Prop 1E, Prop 1, Prop 68 – whether they are legislatively approved or coalition efforts outside of the legislative process.
CLIENTS
Smith Policy Group team members currently work with, or have previously worked with, the following clients.
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