WHO WE ARE

 

 

Government Relations Experts in Salt Lake City, UT

 

In 1997, partners Douglas Foxley & Frank Pignanelli founded the innovative, bipartisan government relations firm of Foxley & Pignanelli.

 

Amidst their differences in political ideology, the duo built a firm that provides comprehensive government relations services, strong partnerships between clients and public officials, and is committed to a legacy of service for Utah. Foxley & Pignanelli have a reputation for being the premier lobbyists on Utah’s Capitol Hill, having been ranked the Best of State in government relations 6 times, diligently and consistently representing more than 75 clients. To learn more, reach out to us today.

 
 
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Meet The Team


Frank Pignanelli
Managing Partner

Frank Pignanelli is one of the youngest Utahns ever elected to state office, where he served in the House of Representatives for 10 years. As a Democrat, he spent 6 of those years as Minority Leader. Frank was a practicing attorney and active in general litigation until 1993 when he was appointed Vice President and General Counsel of BlueCross BlueShield of Utah.

Frank also serves on the Advisory Board for the Lassonde Entrepreneur Institute at The University of Utah and The University of Utah Venture Fund (An investment firm that partners with well-known venture capital firms to provide college students with unique opportunities.). Frank is a recipient of Emeritus-Lifetime membership in the Vest Pocket Business Coalition, and is the longest serving member of the Utah Symphony & Opera Board.

Additionally, Mr. Pignanelli writes a Sunday column on political activities in Utah for the state's second-largest daily newspaper, the Deseret News. Also, Pignanelli is a frequent speaker and political commentator for various civic and business gatherings throughout the state.

Government Relations Lobbyists - Salt Lake City, UT

Renae Cowley
Partner

Renae hails from West Point, Utah and is a proud graduate of Utah State University bringing the office's Aggie count to two. Renae also earned her MBA from Texas A&M Commerce. 

Prior to joining Foxley & Pignanelli, Renae worked in the Executive Branch for two years and worked on numerous winning campaigns. Renae has been heavily involved in political campaigns across the Intermountain West including elections for mayors, county commissioners, state legislators, congressional and senate races as well as independent expenditures and super PACs. She has built a reputation as an artful campaign consultant and top-notch fundraiser.

Renae is a talented political writer. She shares the perspective of a conservative millennial as a contributor on various national political blogs. She is a frequent guest speaker at Weber State University and AP high school government classes to share her insight and expertise on Utah's political climate, the legislative process and messaging for campaigns. Because of her level of professional excellence, she was distinguished with the honor of being one of Utah Business Magazine’s 20 in their 20’s.

Her crowning achievement was winning Miss Rodeo Utah and finishing in the top five at Miss Rodeo America.  Renae is a 4-H volunteer and rides competitively as a professional barrel racer.  


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Steve Styler
Partner

Steve Styler is a graduate of the University of Utah and completed law school at the University of Wyoming College of Law.  Mr. Styler’s practice is focused primarily on water law, corporate governance, estate planning,  government relations, lobbying and business development.

Mr. Styler consults clients on complex transactional issues, estate strategy development, administrative proceedings, litigation, and public policy. Mr. Styler works extensively with individual water users, irrigation companies and large agricultural operations. He currently serves as chair of the Water Law Committee of the Energy, Natural Resources, & Environmental Law section of the Utah State Bar.  He also serves as co-chair of the Utah Governor’s Rural Partnership Board, a board member of the Governor’s Economic Council and as an ex-oficio member of the Governor’s Office of Economic Development Board (GOED).

In addition to his work with Foxley & Pignanelli, Mr. Styler actively manages and operates his family’s 425 acre farm in Delta Utah.


Holly I. Meagher
Senior Associate 

Working to achieve her client’s goals with a commitment to excellence, Holly’s approach is one professionalism, style, and creativity. She has played a key role in the success of events from small gatherings to galas, fundraisers, and multi day on location adventures. Good at wearing multiple hats, Holly is adept at responding quickly to changing circumstances, always maintaining an upbeat, can-do attitude.

Holly’s career has taken her from the newsroom, to the Utah State Capitol, to the U.S. Senate, and the White House. She is a graduate of the University of Utah with a degree in Communication and Broadcast Journalism.

Her experience includes working with numerous high profile clients, including: VIPs, fundraising for major events, political and non-profit clients.

She is passionate about the arts, and has a 25 year career as a dancer, performer, and ballet teacher. She also joins her colleague, Renae, as a Miss title holder. She has competed in the Miss America, and Miss USA systems and served as Miss Utah Intl.

Holly is very involved in her small Utah County community, serving on multiple boards and event committees. She was also featured on the cover of Salt Lake Magazine’s Best of the Beehive issue.


Government Relations Lobbyists - Salt Lake City, UT

Doug Foxley
Founder & Partner Emeritus

As a Republican, Douglas Foxley has been a major presence in Utah politics since graduating from law school and beginning the lobbying practice in 1978. Mr. Foxley was a 2016 Co-Chairman of the reelection campaigns of Governor Gary Herbert and Congresswoman Mia Love. He has also served as a strategic advisor on numerous campaigns throughout his career - most notably his work as Senior Advisor for the 2012 Orrin Hatch reelection campaign and as a Senior Advisor to the Jon Huntsman for Governor campaigns.

Doug’s extensive political expertise and professional experience repeatedly proved invaluable to candidates and the clients he represented.  From 1985 to 1997, Doug served on the Utah State Board of Regents, where he served as Chair for three years. From 2005 to 2013, Doug also served on the Utah State University Board of Trustees. Mr. Foxley is responsible for facilitating the organization of USU’s Institute of Government & Politics’ speaker series with the goal of engaging students, faculty and the community in civic dialogue. This speaker-series has since been named “The Foxley Forum” in his honor. Additionally, Doug was awarded an Honorary Doctorate from Utah State University in May 2016.

Currently, Doug is actively engaged in another passion project. In 2017 Doug was selected by Governor Gary Herbert to serve as the ceremony chair to organize the upcoming 150th anniversary of the United State’s first transcontinental railroad, to be celebrated in May 2019. Those close to the firm know there are few individuals more educated and proud of the great State of Utah and its rich history than Douglas Foxley. He has been hard at work bringing together stakeholders from across the state and country to ensure this is a celebration worthy of such a historical event.

 

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