With over 30 years of experience in government relations, public policy, and strategic advocacy, Joe Stevens is a seasoned leader who helps clients navigate complex legislative and regulatory challenges. As a Director at Roetzel Consulting Solutions, Joe combines deep knowledge of local, state, and federal governments with a proven ability to build consensus, craft policy initiatives, and effect tangible outcomes for organizations across multiple sectors.

Joe is recognized for his ability to distill complex regulatory or legislative proposals into clear strategic plans for clients. He often leads coalitions or works across industries to foster shared policy goals. His approach typically includes:

  • Assessing risk and opportunity in pending legislation or rulemaking
  • Designing multi-pronged advocacy strategies: direct lobbying, coalition building, public or media-facing education
  • Helping clients anticipate changes in policy by monitoring legislative agendas, regulatory rulemaking cycles, and shifts in political leadership
  • Emphasizing integrity and compliance, ensuring all advocacy and lobbying efforts meet ethical and legal standards

Experience

  • Oversees policy strategy, client advocacy, and government affairs work for a diverse roster of clients 
  • Analyzes proposed state and federal legislation, anticipating policy shifts, and developing strategies that align client interests with legislative priorities
  • Successfully represents clients in administrative branches of government, and helped organizations participate in government contracting and procurement effectively
  • Maintains strong working relationships with legislators, government officials, regulatory agencies, and community stakeholders
  • Shaped legislative proposals, prepared testimony for administrative/regulatory bodies, and managed public policy portfolios as in-house government affairs director for large health care insurers
  • Served as a corporate government relations executive and in state government, enabling ability to determine not just what’s legal, but what’s practical and politically feasible
  • Served in a leadership capacity in Ohio state government and developed understanding of legislative procedure, budget development, administrative regulation, and cross-branch influences in policy

Joe works extensively with clients in the following industries:

  • Health care: helping providers, payers, and other healthcare stakeholders understand regulatory changes, reimbursement issues, and public health policy
  • Energy & Utilities: advising on regulatory compliance, environmental policy, and legislative matters related to distribution, infrastructure, and sustainability
  • Primary/Secondary and Higher Education: advocating on issues related to funding, governance, and policy around curriculum, standards, and institutional accountability
  • Non-profits, Performing Arts, Sports & Recreation, and the Amusement Industry: guiding organizations as they navigate public funding, regulation, and community engagement
  • Manufacturing: providing counsel on legislative and regulatory matters that impact the manufacturing sector
  • Economic Development and Housing: advocating for ideas and innovations to move communities forward
  • Local Government: providing legislative and regulatory advocacy on all matters that impact local governments, including taxation, public safety, and local control