Christian H. Kindsvatter is Chairman/CEO of Kindsvatter & Associates, Inc. (K&A). K&A has distinguished itself since its original founding in 1934, as a premier multi-client lobbying and association management firm representing leading national and state corporations and associations. Under Mr. Kindsvatter's direction, K&A expanded from its original legislative services to management and public relations services for its clients.

Mr.Kindsvatter has had a distinguished career in association management/lobbying beginning in 1968, representing such organizations as the Ohio Council of Retail Merchants, Wholesale Beer Association of Ohio, Ohio Osteopathic Association, and the Ohio Home Builders Association. Prior to coming to Michigan in 1980, Mr.Kindsvatter managed the Ohio ballot campaign, representing Ohio businesses and labor organizations that defeated a mandatory bottle deposit law by a 3-to-1 statewide ballot vote.

In 1980, Mr. Kindsvatter became President and CEO of the Michigan Merchants Council & Associates, representing the nation's leading retailer corporations and related association groups. In 1994, Mr.Kindsvatter and other investors purchased the organization to continue its representative goals and to develop new legislative and management objectives and services.

In 1995, Mr. Kindsvatter received a high tribute from his peers and legislators in Michigan by being rated in a statewide survey as nineteenth out of 1,250 lobbyists in the state in his lobbying influence. In 2001 he also ranked eighteenth.

Mr. Kindsvatter serves on numerous civic and professional boards such as Past President of Impression 5 Science Museum, the Board of the Chief Okemos Council of the Boy Scouts of America, President of the United Burt Lake Association, and President of the Top of Michigan Marathon Association.

He attended Valley Forge Military Academy, is a graduate of Akron University with a B.A. in finance, and holds a Masters of Science in Business Administration from Central Michigan University.

Mr. Kindsvatter has received numerous awards including the Outstanding Young Men of America Award in 1980 given by the Columbus, Ohio, Jaycees. Mr. Kindsvatter is also an avid outdoor enthusiast. He and his wife of 10 years, Lori, own and operate the Eaglenest Farm of Indian River, Michigan.

Derek E. Dalling is the President of Kindsvatter & Associates. He joined the firm in 1998 after several years of service as a staff member in the Michigan Legislature. Mr. Dalling began his career in 1995 with the Michigan House of Representatives. At age 22, he was the youngest staff member in the House Republican Caucus. His campaign and political knowledge led him to work in one of the most competitive districts.

In 1997, Mr. Dalling joined the House Republican Leadership as a Legislative Assistant to then Representative Charles Perricone. In that capacity, Mr. Dalling played significant roles in ensuring an efficient transition to term limits and in the statewide campaign efforts. Mr. Dalling’s work was instrumental in Representative Perricone’s election as the Speaker of the Michigan House of Representatives.

In 2004, the Michigan Chiropractic Association, a past KA client, awarded Mr. Dalling their highest honor for a lay person the Distinguished Contribution Award for leadership and service to their profession.

Today, Mr. Dalling serves as executive director of several statewide associations. He also remains active politically lobbying for several issues. Legislatively, Mr. Dalling focuses on everything from transportation and environment issues to regulatory and security issues to general business issues and everything in between.

Mr. Dalling and his wife, Erin, a legislative assistant in the State Senate, reside in Grand Ledge with their daughter, Ashleigh. Mr. Dalling earned his B.A. from the University of Michigan and remains an avid Wolverine fan and alumnus.

Bradley L. Comment is the Vice-President of Governmental Relations for Kindsvatter & Associates. He joined the firm in 2008 after years of service as a staff member in the Michigan Legislature and as a Legislative Coordinator for the Michigan Association of Counties.

Mr. Comment began his legislative career in 2003 with State Senator Michael Switalski. After campaigning vigorously with, then, Representative Michael Switalski in the competitive 10th Senate District, Mr. Comment earned himself a position as Legislative Aide. In a matter of months, he became the Senator’s Budget and Legislative Director. In that capacity, Mr. Comment helped achieve several instrumental legislative initiatives including the new High School Michigan Merit Exam and the creation of County Revenue Sharing Reserve accounts, which has already saved the state close to $1 billion in General Fund.

In 2005, he took a position as Legislative Coordinator for the Michigan Association of Counties. During his tenure at the Michigan Association of Counties, Mr. Comment specialized in many issue areas including transportation, human services, planning and zoning. He played a significant role in saving Michigan counties hundreds of millions of dollars and helped defend counties from the many onerous mandates placed on them by the state.

Mr. Comment and his wife Amanda, a legislative assistant in the State Senate, reside in Holt, Michigan. They along with big brother, Devyn, are expecting a baby boy in April. Mr. Comment earned his B.S. from Central Michigan University and remains a devoted Chippewa fanatic.

Denise A. Stone is the Financial Administrator/Association Management Services Administrator of Kindsvatter & Associates, Inc. (K&A). Ms. Stone performs accounts receivable/payable and other financial functions for the firm and each of the associations that K&A manages. She also lends general and technical support to the many clients involved in the associations represented by K&A.

Ms.Stone comes from a 12-year background in retailing where she performed inventory management for a major national retailer. She resides in and commutes from Owosso where she has lived all her life.

Kathe Biggs is the Event Coordinator for Kindsvatter & Associates, Inc. (K&A). She joined the K&A team in 2007. Ms. Biggs oversees and organizes all the events, conventions, seminars, and trainings for all K&A association clients.

Ms. Biggs was an Executive Secretary at Spectrum Hospital where she coordinated employee functions, executive trips, and the Vice President Conventions. Ms. Biggs also was an assistant manager at a senior citizen complex where her primary responsibilities were to organize daily activities, field trips, and excursions. Most recently, she managed Whispering Needles, a custom sewing and quilting business, located in Traverse City.

Ms. Biggs was born and raised in Lowell, Michigan. She has been married to her husband, Dave, for over 25 years. They reside in Marshall, Michigan where they raised three children: Jim, Tony, and Samantha.

Ms. Biggs is an avid football fan - both college and professional football. She especially enjoys cheering for her favorite football teams, the University of Michigan and Marshall High School. She also enjoys quilting, reading, and spending time with her family.

Michelle D. Dishaw is the Membership Services Director and Website Development Administrator for Kindsvatter & Associates, Inc. (K&A) for the past 4 years. Ms. Dishaw duties include special projects for clients, website development, and database maintenance for nine different associations which provide membership and meeting data, as well as assistance the association management team.

Ms. Dishaw is well traveled, with her father serving was a Lt. Commander in the United States Navy and her mother Captain in the U.S. Air force. In 2004, Ms. Dishaw graduated from Michigan State University with a BA in Criminal Justice. She is currently a graduate student at Cooley Law School. She and her husband, Brian, reside in Lansing and enjoy backpacking and trail bike riding.

Sara Adams is the Event Coordinator for Kindsvatter & Associates, Inc. (K&A). She joined the K&A team in 2010. Ms. Adams works in close relationship with the KA Director of meetings and Events in planning and coordinating all conferences, meetings and events for K&A client.

Ms. Adams brings 10 years of customer service experience and most recently Fedex Office where she supervised her team as the Lead Project Coordinator.

As a new homeowner, Ms. Adams enjoys working around her home and taking on do-it-yourself projects. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her two dogs, friends and family. She also enjoys new experiences, meeting new people and traveling.

Mercedes C Martinez is the Administrative Assistant at Kindsvatter & Associates, Inc., (K&A). She joined the K&A team in May of 2010 after completing an internship in the State of Michigan House of Representatives. She oversees day to day activities, such as phone answering, association mailings, continued education certification processing and special project management. She also provides direct assistance to the entire association management team.

Having been to Ghana, the Philippines and Peru Miss Martinez considers herself to be a global traveler and hopes to see more of the world. She is a volunteer at the Ronald McDonald House, the YMCA and is an active member of the Junior League of Lansing. In her free time she enjoys running 5Ks, reading, shopping and spending time with family.

Alicia Vazquez is the Director of Graphic Design for Kindsvatter & Associates, Inc. (K&A). She joined the K&A team in 2010. Alicia oversees the creative design and printing of materials for all K&A clients.

Alicia comes to us with two decades of graphic design experience. Mostly recently, Alicia worked as a Multimedia Designer for the University of Michigan where she was responsible for the design of both print and web material for units across the U-M campus and the U-M Health System.

Alicia has been married to her husband Gerald for 15 years. They reside in Saline, Michigan with their three children. Alicia enjoys going to her sons sporting events and attending U-M football games. Go blue!