Staff & Consultants
Staff
Rob Keith
Membership & Policy Director
Rob Keith
As AMERIPEN Membership & Policy Director, Rob can be contacted directly for membership requests and issues, engagement information, committee information, and policy resources. Rob is currently staff liaison for our Government Affairs Committee, Government Affairs Coalition and Membership Committee.
Ashley Boger
Association Manager
Ashley Boger
As AMERIPEN Association Manager, Ashley will be present on AMERIPEN calls and you may hear from her directly from time to time regarding operations and membership management. Ashley is an employee of The Markens Group (TMG), AMERIPEN’s association management company.
Brendon Holland
Communications Manager
Brendon Holland
As AMERIPEN Communications Manager, Brendon will be present on some AMERIPEN calls and you may hear directly from him from time to time on upcoming communications and strategic planning. Brendon is an employee of The Markens Group (TMG), AMERIPEN’s association management company. As such, general requests for assistance from him should ideally go through Ashley Boger.
Consultants
Mark Bescher
Policy Consultant
Mark Bescher
Mark Bescher, Principal at Legacy Public Policy and Circular Action Alliance Board Member, supports AMERIPEN in policy development and issue management consulting. Mark Bescher is the founder of Legacy Public Policy, a packaging consultancy. Most recently, Mark was the head of US Government Affairs at Mondelez International, an American multinational confectionery, food, and beverage company. In that role, he developed and advocated for policy positions with local, state, and federal policymakers in coordination with critical industry associations and partners.Â
Mark will help guide our efforts and advance our strategic goals related to government affairs and policy positions. Requests concerning Mark's work on behalf of AMERIPEN or for assistance on regulatory issues must go through an AMERIPEN staff member to ensure that such requests are within the scope of AMERIPEN’s contract with Legacy Public Policy.
Andy Hackman
Principal Lobbyist
Andy Hackman
Andrew is a registered federal lobbyist who has testified before the U.S. Senate and lobbied in over 25 state capitols. Prior to joining Serlin Haley, he served as vice president of government affairs for the Toy Industry Association, where he oversaw TIA’s advocacy programs at both the state and federal levels. Andrew also has directed the national government affairs program of the Consumer Specialty Products Association. Andrew received a Bachelors of Science in Public Affairs from Indiana University’s School of Public and Environmental Affairs in Bloomington, Indiana and a Masters of Business Administration from George Washington University in Washington, D.C.
Andy is a subject matter expert in the area of packaging policy and generally covers state-level legislative issues in the eastern half of the U.S. for AMERIPEN. He also works on federal legislative issues for AMERIPEN. While Andy is frequently present on AMERIPEN calls and may communicate directly with the membership on our behalf, communications with him directly must include an AMERIPEN staff member (as a CC, for example) to ensure that such requests are within the scope of AMERIPEN’s contract with Serlin Haley.
Gregory Melkonian
Regulatory and Government Affairs Analyst
Greg Melkonian
Gregory joined Serlin Haley in 2023 after serving nearly ten years on staff in the California Assembly, including over six years as a policy consultant and parliamentary adviser for the Assembly Republican Caucus. Gregory graduated from the University of California, Los Angeles in 2013, where he majored in political science with a minor in public affairs. Outside the office, he enjoys traveling, volunteering, and enjoying live music and baseball. He is leading the work that is reported on through the monthly regulatory call and weekly regulatory email updates.
While Gregory will be present on AMERIPEN calls, communications to the membership about his regulatory work will come through AMERIPEN staff. Additionally, requests concerning Gregory’s regulatory work on behalf of AMERIPEN or for assistance on regulatory issues must go through AMERIPEN staff to ensure that such requests are within the scope of AMERIPEN’s contract with Serlin Haley.
Edwin Borbon
Government Affairs Associate
Edwin Borbon
Edwin brings a wealth of experience in California’s legislative landscape, with a career spanning both government service and advocacy. He spent six years in various roles with the California State Assembly, most recently serving as legislative director for Assemblymember Tasha Boerner (D-Encinitas). His career in California began as a scheduler and legislative assistant for multiple assembly members; he then worked his way up to key roles both as legislative director and as capitol director. Edwin also worked in legislative advocacy for the Precision Advocacy Group, a Sacramento-based lobbying, public affairs, and public relations firm. He leads the work that is reported on through the monthly regulatory call and weekly regulatory email updates.
While Edwin will be present on AMERIPEN calls, communications to the membership about his regulatory work will come through AMERIPEN staff. Additionally, requests concerning Edwin’s regulatory work on behalf of AMERIPEN or for assistance on regulatory issues must go through AMERIPEN staff to ensure that such requests are within the scope of AMERIPEN’s contract with Serlin Haley.