OUR TEAMGavin McHugh originally established the firm of McHugh & Associates in 2000. In 2012, the firm welcomed the addition of Dawn Koepke as Partner, forming McHugh, Koepke & Associates and in 2023, the firm welcomed its newest partner Naomi Padron forming McHugh Koepke Padron Government Relations.
Gavin has over 35 years of lobbying and government relations experience in Sacramento. He has successfully advocated the interests of his clients and has developed the personal relationships and expertise necessary to develop and promote legislation and regulation before California’s State Senate, Assembly, Governor and state agencies.
Thanks to his extensive experience working with large corporations, small businesses, associations and coalitions, Gavin can personally tailor advocacy programs to meet the needs of all of the clients. He has tremendous experience working the Legislature, Administration and State Agencies on issues such as business, taxation, environmental, healthcare, tort reform, workplace safety, and public safety. He is able to bring both his government relations management skills and policy expertise to each client so that their individual government relations program accomplishes their goals and objectives.
Prior to establishing McHugh & Associates, Gavin was Senior Vice President, Government Affairs, for the California Manufacturers and Technology Association (CMTA) for nearly 3 years. The CMTA was established in 1918 and is the only state wide association dedicated solely to representing the interests of California manufacturers before the state legislature, Governor’s office, state agencies and courts.
While at CMTA, he was responsible for overseeing CMTA’s advocacy program before the legislature and administration. Gavin’s top priorities included improving the state’s business climate by accomplishing meaningful reform of California’s regulatory, tax and tort laws.
From 1991 through 1997, Gavin was Manager of U.S. Public and Government Affairs for Texaco in Sacramento where he worked closely with legislators of both parties to foster pro-growth legislation.
Prior to his assignment with Texaco, Gavin was legislative advocate from 1984 to 1991 for the California Correctional Peace Officers Association (CCPOA). His responsibilities included developing and implementing the association’s California legislative program.
Prior to joining the CCPOA, he served on the staff of Senators Bob Presley and Dan McCorquodale.
Gavin graduated from California State University, Stanislaus with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications Studies.
Manufacturing, Labor, Tax Policy, Energy, Oil & Gas, Corporate Counsel, Climate & Air Policy, Criminal Justice & Corrections Policy