The StateWatch Team

Alex Stankus - Capitol Reporter / Legislative Coordinator / Pop-Country Aficionado In early 2020, Alex graduated from the University at Albany with an M.A. in Health Communications and joined StateWatch after interning for a semester. She is interested in learning more about state government and public policy, and is excited to be utilizing her writing skills as a reporter. Prior to obtaining her gradutate degree, Alex spent three years at an independent insurance agency, working in property and casualty. A Capital District native, Alex also attended UAlbany to obtain a B.A. in English. In her free time, Alex enjoys traveling, CrossFit, drawing, and reading anything and everything. Cell: 518.479.9070 Email: astankus@statewatch.com

Ryan "RJ" Navarro - Analytics Services Specialist / Capitol Reporter / Gamer Since 2018, Ryan has helped the StateWatch Team create and organize data. He has skimmed thousands of bills and familiarized himself with the complex legislative process. He also produces original content, reporting on both chambers. Each session, Ryan immerses himself in statutory references found in legislation. Data that used to take months to collect has been condensed into more manageable timeframes, thanks to Ryan. He credits this to countless hours behind a video game controller as a kid; it trained him to look attentively at a screen for hours on end without flinching. Ryan earned his B.A. in Public Policy and Management from the University at Albany. He concentrated in quantitative methods, incorporating knowledge from advanced statistical theories and math for economists. Recently, Ryan was also admitted to the M.P.A. program at Rockefeller College of Public Affairs & Policy. Cell: 518.522.9161 Email: rnavarro@statewatch.com

Shane King - Operations Manager / Capitol Reporter / Chief Stresser Shane began as an intern at StateWatch while working on his B.A. in English at the University at Albany. Shane has filled a number of different roles since joining StateWatch full-time in 2014, and is now an integral part of the Team's operations. During his time at StateWatch, Shane has developed a sound understanding of the legislative process and has extensive experience navigating the budget process, from the Governor's introduction, across the jagged line of negotiations, to a three-way agreement. In his current role, Shane runs the internship program at StateWatch, covers Senate and Assembly committee meetings and hearings, as well as Assembly session, and generally keeps the office in good working order. In his spare time, Shane resides and recreates at the northern end of Lake George. Cell: 518.796.9167 Email: shaneking@statewatch.com

Michael Poulopoulos - Director / Systems Guru / Capitol Reporter / Flak Jacket Mike joined StateWatch in 2005 as an intern. It was the last strech of the Pataki Administration. Since that time, he's helped shepherd the company through seemingly endless session nights, the last-minute rush of covering 3-way negotiations, summer sessions, sudden shifts in legislative and executive leadership, as well as shape product enhancements that benefit both the StateWatch Team and subscribers. And while he takes pride in his hard-won and thorough understanding of the legislative process and the personalized support he provides subscribers, the lesson he's most proud to showcase is that the company is nothing without a good team behind it. If Mike's not sending Email Alert updates at 2 a.m., or praying to finally hear the phrase "Sine Die" immediately followed by a gavel, it's because he's stealing time to be in the woods, running errands, or trying to make his growing family laugh. You can find two diplomas hanging in his office: a B.A. in English from Providence College, and an M.A. in English from the College of St. Rose. Cell: 518.301.3329 Email: mikep@statewatch.com