Our Company
NorthStar’s team of experts leverages incredible know-how, strategic thinking, a deep network of relationships, and a team-oriented approach across a diverse set of practice areas to deliver superior results to clients. Our team is ready to help your organization navigate any challenge.
I’ve always been a team guy, whether it’s on the athletic field or in the board room. The entire NorthStar team - with its combined expertise, experience and dedication - is here to help you navigate any challenge.
– Joe
Our Team
“The strength of the team is each individual member.
The strength of each member is the team.”
– Phil Jackson
#NavigateAnyChallenge
Joe Fiordaliso
Founder, Chief Executive Officer
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Joe is a seasoned public policy professional with vast experience and expertise solving complex governmental issues. During his twenty-five year career, Joe has held prominent positions in and out of government. He has distinguished himself as a trusted advisor to Members of Congress, Governors, cabinet officials and clients, including corporate executives, business leaders, and heads of non-profit and charitable organizations.
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Joe Fiordaliso
Founder, Chief Executive Officer
Joe directs NorthStar’s business and client strategies. He is a public policy expert with over twenty years of experience solving complex governmental issues and has held key positions both in and out of government.
joe@northstarstrategiesllc.com
Jody is Chief Operating Officer of NorthStar Strategies and a founding member of the firm. She is an accomplished fundraising professional, a savvy association executive, a polished community liaison, and a convincing and relentless advocate who uses her broad bi-partisan reach to help NorthStar clients navigate any challenge.
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Jody Herkloz
Founder, Chief Operating Officer
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Jody Herkloz
Chief Operating Officer
Jody is Chief Operating Officer of NorthStar Strategies and a founding member of the firm. She is an accomplished fundraising professional, a savvy association executive, a polished community liaison, and a proficient lobbyist who uses her broad bi-partisan reach to advocate for NorthStar clients.
jody@northstarstrategiesllc.com
Avery Pontell-Schaefer
Chief Marketing Officer
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Avery is an award-winning marketer. For over a decade she has launched products and marketing initiatives for Fortune 100 companies. She earned her MBA in Marketing and International Business from Rutgers Business School and specializes in strategic marketing and leadership development. Avery's marketing and communications expertise directly supports client advocacy efforts and facilitates marketing of NorthStar's qualifications and expertise to prospective clients, stakeholders and key decision-makers.
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Gabrielle is a founding member of the firm. She has demonstrated a wide range of knowledge, ingenuity and resourcefulness directing the firm’s Association Management practice area, and consistently exceeds client expectations. Gabrielle joined NorthStar after attending Rider University where she was part of the Women’s Leadership Council and graduated Phi Theta Kappa.
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Gabrielle Liguori
Director, Association Management
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Avery Pontell-Schaefer
Chief Marketing Officer
Avery is an award-winning marketer. For over a decade she has launched products and marketing initiatives at Fortune 100 companies. She earned her MBA in Marketing and International Business from Rutgers Business School, and specializes in strategic marketing and leadership development.
avery@northstarstrategiesllc.com
James Selle
Director, Meeting & Event Management
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James is a hospitality industry expert who has owned and managed his own restaurant, has successfully managed the largest restaurant in a national hospitality group's portfolio, and has organized and managed events and conferences of all types throughout the United States. James was formally trained as an IT, logistics and operations expert during his service to our nation. He is a combat veteran who served 12 years in the United States Air Force as an Electronic Warfare Craftsman.
Connect with James
Gabrielle Liguori
Director, Association Management
Gabrielle is a founding member of the firm. She has demonstrated a wide range of knowledge, ingenuity and resourcefulness directing the firm’s Association Management practice area, and consistently exceeds client expectations. Gabrielle joined NorthStar after attending Rider University where she was part of the Women’s Leadership Council and graduated Phi Theta Kappa.
gabrielle@northstarstrategiesllc.com
James Selle
Director, Meeting & Event Management
James is a hospitality industry expert. He most recently managed the largest grossing restaurant in a prominent national hospitality group’s portfolio. James is also an IT, logistics and operations expert. He is a combat veteran who served 12 years in the United States Air Force as an Electronic Warfare Craftsman.
james@northstarstrategiesllc.com
Thomas "TJ" Mann
Director, Government Affairs
TJ is a respected and seasoned professional with deep New Jersey roots who adds significant government and political experience to the NorthStar team. He leads the firm's Government Affairs practice area and helps clients navigate challenges before the New Jersey Legislature; government agencies; and county and municipal governments. TJ served as Chief of Staff to Assemblyman Robert D. Clifton for ten years before joining NorthStar Strategies in 2021.
tj@northstarstrategiesllc.com
Denise Peck
Manager, Public & Community Outreach
Denise joins NorthStar Strategies after a distinguished 35-year career with the New Jersey Department of Transportation. She manages client relationships and is responsible for delivering an essential scope of services to clients and teaming partners through the firm’s Public & Community Outreach practice. During her accomplished career in public service, Denise played a meaningful role in the delivery of hundreds of Federal, State and Local Aid projects. She served in a variety of senior positions in the Right of Way; Access Management; and Government & Community Relations units within the Department, giving her a keen understanding of the Department's operations and a unique ability to navigate challenges.
denise@northstarstrategiesllc.com
Mike Klein
Founder, Urban Strategies
Mike’s career spans nearly 30 years in the public, private and non-profit sectors, and has distinguished himself as a strategic leader with a keen sense of identifying and mitigating risks. Mike has worked under many prestigious New York officials, and has also served as Deputy County Executive, Deputy Director of the NY/NJ Office of Drug Control Policy, and Chief in the City of New York Parks & Recreation Department.
mike@urbanstrategiesllc.com
TJ is a respected and seasoned professional with deep New Jersey roots who adds significant government and political experience to the NorthStar team. He leads the firm's Government Affairs practice area and helps clients navigate challenges before the New Jersey Legislature; government agencies; and county and municipal governments. TJ served as Chief of Staff to Assemblyman Robert D. Clifton for ten years before joining NorthStar Strategies in 2021.
Connect with TJ
Thomas "TJ" Mann
Director, Government Affairs
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Denise Peck
Manager, Public & Community Outreach
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Denise joins NorthStar Strategies after a distinguished 35-year career with the New Jersey Department of Transportation. She manages client relationships and is responsible for delivering an essential scope of services to clients and teaming partners through the firm’s Public & Community Outreach practice. During her accomplished career in public service, Denise played a meaningful role in the delivery of hundreds of Federal, State and Local Aid projects. She served in a variety of senior positions in the Right of Way; Access Management; and Government & Community Relations units within the Department, giving her a keen understanding of the Department's operations and a unique ability to navigate challenges.
Connect with Denise
Mike's has distinguished himself as a strategic leader with a keen ability to identify and mitigate risks during a career that spans over 30 years in the public, private and non-profit sectors. Mike's public sector career includes numerous high profile executive positions, including Deputy County Executive, Deputy Director of the NY/NJ Office of Drug Control Policy, and Chief in the City of New York Parks & Recreation Department. Mike has consistently delivered successful outcomes for clients in New York City, throughout New York State and the Northeast. Urban and NorthStar frequently collaborate to provide clients a talented advocacy arsenal with broad regional reach.
Connect with Mike
Mike Klein
Founder, Urban Strategies
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Marcus Name
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Founding Members
The Honorable
John Amodeo
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John is a founding member of the firm, helping to launch NorthStar Strategies following a distinguished career as a Member of the New Jersey General Assembly. He played a critical role in our launch, the development of our corporate culture, our mission and vision. He traded dress shoes for flip flops and clients for grandchildren but he continues to inspire us and will always be part of the NorthStar team.
The Honorable
John Amodeo
John is a founding member of the firm. He played a critical role in our launch, the development of our corporate culture, mission and vision. He traded dress shoes for flip flops and clients for grandchildren but he continues to inspire us and will always be part of the NorthStar team.
Marcus Name
Some extra information about the person's background, experience, and interests. Perhaps something quirky like whether they kayak with their dogs.