Josh Harder
Josh Harder supports Lewis-Burke by tracking legislative and agency movements and developments and funding opportunities for clients in the physical sciences and engineering, economic development, and education. His work involves agencies such as the National Science Foundation (NSF), Department of Energy Office of Science (DOE Sc), Department of Defense (DOD), and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).
Before joining Lewis-Burke, Josh worked on a congressional campaign as the Deputy Organizing Director in Ohio’s 9th congressional district. He helped shape regional political strategy and managed the daily operations of voter contact operations. After a successful re-election campaign, Josh served Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur as a Legislative Research Assistant. While there, he worked on education, energy, and environmental research. He also worked with district stakeholders to connect them with federal grant opportunities.
Issue Areas: Physical Sciences, Engineering, STEM Education and Workforce, Defense, Energy, and Economic Development.
Vital Statistics: Born and raised in northwest Ohio, Josh received his B.A. in Political Science from The Ohio State University and minored in International Relations & Diplomacy, Communication, and Non-profit Management. Outside of the office, Josh enjoys staying active, getting lost in a book, and traveling internationally.
Solomon Morgan
Solomon Morgan supports Lewis-Burke by researching and providing information on opportunities and policy developments in energy and national security. With a background and education in public relations, consulting, and outreach, Solomon’s experience in government relations helps him to provide clients with valuable perspectives on emerging technologies, global clean energy efforts, and defense research and engineering. Solomon is focused on funding opportunities and other new developments from the Department of Energy (DOE) and the Department of Defense (DOD) and applies his knowledge of energy and national security programs to support cross-cutting issues in science and technology.
Issue Areas: Energy, Defense and National Security, Critical and Emerging Technologies.
Additional Information: Before joining Lewis-Burke, Solomon held several internships around Washington D.C. to expand his knowledge of consulting and public policy. He interned in the United States Practice at the Albright Stonebridge Group, where he provided analysis on business applications of the CHIPS and Science Act. He served as a Corporate Diplomacy Fellow at the Meridian International Center, working to support corporate engagement with foreign officials. Solomon also worked for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Strategic Alliances & Outreach Department, supporting business efforts to promote and engage with Minority-Serving Institutions and underserved communities. He also interned for the District Office of Congressman Bradley Schneider (D-IL), where he focused on student loan forgiveness and supporting constituents' receipt of Paycheck Protection Program Loans.
Vital Statistics: Solomon was born in Waukegan, Illinois and received his Bachelor’s degree with honors from Howard University in Washington D.C, where he studied Political Science and Economics. Solomon enjoys global politics and economics and spends time researching issues including the global market for clean energy, critical minerals, and finance. Outside of the office, Solomon explores D.C. restaurants, events, and bookstores, and especially likes restaurant week. He enjoys walking and cooking as well as reading historical and science fiction, political novels, and international literature.
Bruno Freitas
Bruno Freitas is a passionate and respected former federal government professional with over a quarter century of combined experience working in the United States Senate and the House of Representatives. He has cultivated long standing relationships with Members of Congress, congressional staff, and federal agency leadership. Bruno leverages his experience to provide clients with detailed policy advice and tailored comprehensive advocacy strategies to achieve desired results.
Issue Expertise: appropriations, budget, economic development, energy, environment, financial services, infrastructure, and innovation policy
Additional Experience: Prior to joining Lewis-Burke, Bruno worked on Capitol Hill for 28 years, most recently serving as Deputy Chief of Staff for Senator Elizabeth Warren. In that role for Senator Warren, he led and managed several policy teams and spearheaded the Senator’s state and local priorities. During his tenure he covered a wide array of federal policy areas including energy, environment, climate change, infrastructure, transportation, appropriations, budget, tax, economy, commerce, small business, defense, and financial services. Bruno was part of the Senator’s team that secured accomplishments in several critical legislative acts such as the American Rescue Plan, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, and the Inflation Reduction Act. He also managed numerous high profile federal projects and on behalf of the Senator obtained billions of dollars for critical infrastructure and economic development.
Vital Statistics: Bruno grew up in Massachusetts and attended Bridgewater State University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Political Science. In his spare time, he enjoys traveling, all things Boston sports, and cooking Sunday dinner for his wife and two daughters.
Hannah Marie Peters-Edwards
Hannah Marie provides insights to clients in agriculture and rural development, life sciences, space, and tracking legislative and agency developments and assisting clients with their individual requests. This includes federal agencies such as the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), the National Science Foundation (NSF), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the Department of Commerce, among others. Hannah Marie’s background in agriculture has allowed her to have a unique perspective on all aspects of this issue. This has allowed Hannah Marie to work with clients and agencies to provide more sustainable and innovative practices in agriculture and life sciences.
Issue Areas: Agriculture, Life Science, Space, Economic Development, Rural Development, and Infrastructure.
Additional Information: Prior to joining Lewis-Burke Associates, Hannah Marie worked on the Hill as an intern in the House of Representatives. Her background in agriculture has been developed from 13 years in 4-H, and 4 years in Future Farmers of America (FFA). She raised Animals for breeding as well as market; and her family has worked with both walnuts and almonds. She worked as a Program Assistant for the National 4-H Council in 2018 where she focused on teaching middle to high school students about the United States Government and leadership development.
Vital Statistics: Hannah Marie grew up in Durham, California. She attended Butte Community College, where she obtained her associate degree in political science. While at Butte College she served as the student government president, and a member of the Butte College golf team. In 2020, she transferred to the University of California, Berkeley where she graduated with a bachelor’s in arts in Political Science with a specialization in American Government. While at UC Berkeley she was the chair of the Associated Students of the University of California Judicial Council. Outside of the office Hannah enjoys going out and trying new restaurants and exploring the outdoors by hiking and taking long walks with friends.
Sierra Cato, J.D.
Sierra Cato is a Principal in the Energy Policy Practice at Lewis-Burke Associates LLC. As a trusted advisor, Sierra helps clients advance legislative priorities in Congress, protect their interests, secure federal funding, navigate challenges in the political landscape, and raise their profile in Washington. Prior to joining Lewis-Burke Associates LLC, Sierra served in leadership appointments at the U.S. Department of Energy, including Acting Staff Secretary to Secretary of Energy Dan Brouillette where she led cross-agency coordination and preparation of the Secretary’s briefing materials for both domestic and international engagements. Sierra also served as a Senior Advisor in the Office of the Executive Secretariat where she oversaw the Department’s response to high level communications and policy actions from the White House related to energy policy and national security and spearheaded legislative reform efforts across DOE. Lastly, in her capacity as Senior Advisor on Minority Education, Sierra was the DOE liaison for White House initiatives advancing STEM equity and educational excellence for all minority-serving institutions and HBCUs.
Sierra received a Secretary’s Appreciation Award from Secretary of Energy Rick Perry for exceeding expectations in the strategy and creation of the Department of Energy Artificial Intelligence and Technology Office in September 2019.
Issue Expertise: Energy Sciences, Physical Sciences, Applied Energy, Energy Efficiency, Renewable Energy, Fossil Energy, Nuclear Security and Nonproliferation, Nuclear Energy, DOE National Laboratories, Transportation, Appropriations, Artificial Intelligence, Technology Transitions, Grid Resilience and Modernization, Cybersecurity, Workforce Development and STEM
Additional Experience: During her career, Sierra gained sound knowledge of the inner workings of Congress while serving in various positions in the United States House of Representatives and the United States Senate, including serving as a law clerk for Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC) and the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, as well as a Legislative Staff Assistant and Intern for former Senator David Vitter and Majority Leader Steve Scalise, respectively.
During her time in the Senate, Sierra was Co-Chair of the Community Service Committee for the Senate Black Legislative Staff Caucus. In addition to a strong appreciation for service, Sierra values the importance of building strong relationships and working in a bipartisan manner.
Vital Statistics: Sierra earned her Bachelor of Science in Applied Sociology at North Carolina State University. She received her Juris Doctor from Loyola University New Orleans College of Law. Sierra was born and raised in Whiteville, North Carolina. In her spare time, she enjoys hiking, traveling, and spending time outdoors.