Team
Jim Amann - Senior Partner
Former Speaker of the House, James Amann is the founder and Senior Partner of I.G.S., an international consulting and strategic advisory firm specializing in public and private government affairs in Connecticut and throughout the United States.
During his twenty-eight years in local and state government, Jim served as Speaker of the House from January 2005 through January 2009. He represented the 118th district in Milford, Connecticut and was the first representative from Milford to hold the positions of Speaker of the House and Majority Leader.
As a State Legislator, Amann also chaired the freshman caucus from 1991 through 1993. As a state legislator Amann served as House Chair of the Insurance and Real Estate Committee from 1993 through 1998, where he sponsored landmark healthcare legislation. Jim also held seats on the Finance, Revenue and Bonding Committee 1994 - 1999 and the Judiciary Committee 1991 - 2002. Jim’s leadership posts include Deputy House Majority Whip 2001 - 2003 and House Majority Leader in 2003 - 2005.
Born in Bridgeport, Speaker Amann grew up in Milford where he attended local public schools, graduating from Jonathan Law High School. Jim continued his education at the University of New Haven studying criminal justice and has received honorary doctorates from the University of Bridgeport in 2005 and the University of New Haven 2007.
Michael Rell - Lobbyist
Michael Rell is a government affairs professional with experience in the legislative process and public policy. Over a 25 year career in state legislative work, Mike has amassed extensive experience working collaboratively with state and local elected officials, as well as state agency officials.
Prior to joining International Government Strategies, Mike worked as a press secretary for the Senate Republican Caucus, a policy analyst for the House Republican Caucus and most recently their Director of Outreach. Mike served as Vice Chairman of President George W. Bush’s Connecticut campaign and has worked on a number of successful federal, statewide and local campaigns.
Mike is currently the Mayor of Wethersfield and a volunteer on a number of boards and commissions, including an appointee of the House Minority Leader to Connecticut’s Tobacco and Health Trust Fund Board. Mike also serves on the Executive Board of the Glastonbury Sportsman’s Association, an organization dedicated to the conservation and preservation of our region’s natural resources.
A graduate of the University of Delaware, Mike holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in History. He and his wife Maura reside in Old Wethersfield with their two children, Madeline and Charlie.
Winthrop Smith - Counsel
Win is the managing partner with Smith, Dey and Collier Law firm located in Milford, Connecticut. He is admitted to practice law in all Connecticut and New York state courts.
After graduating from the University of Arizona in 1981 with a B.A. in economics he enrolled in New York Law School, graduating cum laude in the top 7% of his class with honors in 1984. Win continued his education at New York University specializing in taxation law and receiving his LL.M. in 1985.
In 1985, Attorney Smith joined the law firm of Reid and Riege, P.C. located in Hartford, Connecticut where he practiced tax law specializing in real estate syndication, partnership and corporate issues. In 1986 he became a senior associate with Berchem, Moses and Devlin, P.C., continuing his work with complex commercial and banking transactions, partnerships, probate and estate planning.
During this period Win campaigned and won a seat as State Senator representing Connecticut’s 14th district. Win held this position from 1993 through 2005 and also served as ranking member of the Banks Committee from 1993 through 2005, also was the ranking member of the bonding subcommittee 1997 through 2005. Served as Chairman of the Government, Administration and Elections Committee from 1995 to 1997. Upon retiring from state politics Win also served locally as Milford’s Police Commissioner from 1989 through 1993. Mr. Smith is currently serving as Milford’s City Attorney and also served on the States Ethics Commission.
Mark Kaminski - Media
Vertical Marketing Group, located in Milford, CT, is a full service digital marketing agency. Specializing in increasing RESULTS via search engine marketing, social media advertising, social media management, geofencing, remarketing, email marketing, and much more. VMG is a nimble group of professionals that handles every campaign as if it was theirs. There is no such thing as a "one size fits all" approach to online advertising and VMG takes pride in high level customer service and even better results. Vertical Marketing Group is a Google Partner and is certified in many digital marketing and social media platforms.
Ali Shauket - Media
Ali Shauket is Vice President US Administration for EKCS Inc. His innovative ideas and implementation are helpful to businesses and corporations to get their message delivered across all platforms for IGS. Ali has many years of experience in sales and has a degree in Graphic Reproduction and Printing from the London College of Printing, London, UK. He comes from a family with an extensive printing and production background; the 'Express' brand was established in 1934 in India and is a global post-production operation. Ali has been a resident of Milford for 22 years with his wife and three children.
Nicholas Santovasi - Sessional Research Assistant
Nicholas Santovasi is an IGS research assistant. He earned his Juris Doctor degree from Vermont Law School focusing in entertainment law and human rights. He worked for many years as a summer intern at LA Productions & Entertainment helping Jim Amann bring the entertainment industry into Connecticut. He was brought onto the IGS team in 2016 as a research assistant. He uses his knowledge of law, politics and social media to aid the IGS team in meeting their legislative goals.