Guest Expert:

Brandon Butler started Pinnacle Strategies in June 2021. Prior to beginning his own firm, Mr. Butler was a registered lobbyist with an Annapolis, MD based government relations firm. In starting Pinnacle Strategies, Brandon found that clients were not only interested in getting spreadsheets and updates on legislative initiatives, but also wanted to understand how to work within state and local bureaucracies to obtain creative solutions to their problems.

Butler most recently served as County Administrator of Allegany County, Maryland. Prior to that, Brandon served as the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Workforce Development and Adult Learning at Maryland’s Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation. While there, Butler was the chief architect in crafting Maryland’s first State Workforce Plan under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act. Butler was also the Chief of Staff for the District 1 Delegation (Garrett, Allegany, and Washington Counties) for approximately seven years. During that time, Butler obtained his Juris Doctor from the University of Baltimore School of Law by juggling a full time job and going to school at night. After graduating magna cum lade, Butler went on to pass the Maryland bar and has been a licensed attorney since 2013.

Guest Expert:

Mary Cramer Wagner joined Pinnacle Strategies in 2023 after a 21-year career at the State Board of Elections. While there, Mary served as the Director of Voter Registration and served as one of the leads on the Board’s legislative initiatives. During her career, Mary is a staple in the halls of Annapolis. With legislators frequently confiding in Mary regarding a myriad of elections related matters. Mary continues to be the go-to for elections issues with State and local elections administrators. Prior to her role with the State Board of Elections, Mary served as staff to the Washington County Delegation in Annapolis.