Meet Our Team

For over 30 years, Stuart Goodman has been serving public and private sector clients at the State Capitol and local governments throughout Arizona.

Having prior service in state and local government, Goodman possesses significant experience in the practices of Arizona government with a wide-ranging focus on state agencies, regulatory boards and gubernatorial and legislative process and operations. 

Prior to establishing the firm in July 2000, Goodman served as a senior policy advisor to former Arizona Governor Jane Dee Hull. During his tenure in the Hull Administration, he provided policy and management advice for 47 cabinet level and regulatory agencies within state government.

Before joining the Hull Administration, Goodman directed the City of Glendale’s Intergovernmental Relations program.  He also served as the principal policy advisor to Mayor Elaine Scruggs and the City Manager for state and regional issues.

In addition to serving the interests of elected officials, Goodman has also directed the legislative and media programs for the Arizona Department of Administration and was the associate director of government affairs for the Arizona Multihousing Association.

Goodman has contributed his talents to a number of civic causes and is a past president of Public Affairs Professionals of Arizona.  He is a recipient of the Phoenix Business Journal's Forty-Under-40 Award (Class of 2006).

Continuing his commitment to public service, Goodman received his commission in the U.S. Navy Reserve in 1999 and served honorably through 2009.  In 2003, during Operation Iraqi Freedom, Lieutenant Goodman served as a Division Officer in the Persian Gulf and Indian Ocean aboard the aircraft carrier USS CONSTELLATION (CV-64).

Goodman holds an undergraduate degree in Economics and a Master of Public Administration, both from Arizona State University.  He also completed the Program for Senior Executives in State and Local Government at Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government.

As a Phoenix native, Goodman survives the Arizona sun by playing organized ice hockey several times a week. If not on the ice, he can be found running along the Arizona canal.  

David Schwartz manages the local government relations, association management and community outreach practices for the firm.

When clients need local government relations assistance, David utilizes the experiences he gained from his decade-long service to the City of Phoenix, where he served as Council Assistant, Mayoral Assistant and Deputy Chief of Staff to then Mayor Skip Rimsza. In these roles at City Hall, he learned the importance of the symbiotic relationships between local elected officials, city management and staff, boards and commissions, community leaders and other impacted stakeholder groups.  It was through these years of service at the municipal level of government that David learned the importance and impact of community involvement and its bearing on the governance process. 

While every project and client at the firm benefits from a diverse team approach, David often leads the community outreach, grassroots mobilization efforts and stakeholder involvement projects.  David currently has the honor and privilege of serving as the Executive Director and Chief Administrator for three non-profit organizations:  Friends of Transit (501c3), the Support Sky Harbor Coalition (501c4), and the Arizona Association of Providers for People with Disabilities (AAPPD), also a 501c4 non-profit organization.  He has served in those roles with Friends of Transit and Support Sky Harbor Coalition since their inception in 2001 and 2002, respectively. 

Throughout his career, David had extensive experience in voter behavior trends and campaign mechanics, both from an academic and professional perspective. Building on those lessons learned, he has over 30 years of experience in promoting issues. Over the course of his career, he has managed or advised several high-profile, grass-roots, political campaigns throughout the Region, including significant transportation measures.

Based on the knowledge gained from these various transportation policy initiatives and campaigns, along with his ongoing efforts managing transportation coalitions, David is often called on to speak to other budding transportation-based coalitions across the country.

In addition to his notoriety in professionally organizing coalitions, David also attempts to volunteer his talents and enthusiasm for various causes and organizations. 

David’s educational background includes an undergraduate degree in Business Administration from Arizona State University, along with a Master of Mass Communication from the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Telecommunications at Arizona State University.

David and his lovely wife Sharon have been married since 1992. They are blessed with four remarkable sons – Justin, Tyler, Ryan and Brandon. When David is not busy working, he enjoys cooking large family meals and spending time up in Northern Arizona.

Brandy Petrone has been representing and assisting the firm's private and public-sector clients at the state and local level since 2006 and is a key contributor to the strategic and tactical advice given on legislation, legislative strategy, and work with the Executive and state agencies. Petrone has strong expertise in legislative drafting, amending and analysis. Petrone also helps coordinate and manage the firm's internship program and provides event management and planning services for the firm's clients.

In addition to her responsibilities at the firm, Petrone is providing her legislative experience to help guide the Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce’s Policy Committee on Budget and Tax issues, serving as co-chair of the committee. 

Prior to joining the firm, Petrone worked in the nonpartisan Research Staff Department of the Arizona State Senate. Petrone spent most of her time in the Senate as the Analyst for the Commerce and Economic Development Committee. She also served on the Appropriations and Health Committees. In addition to her analyst duties, Petrone helped to grow the competitive legislative and executive internship program, the program that helped her get her start in public affairs, as the Internship Program Coordinator.

Petrone holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration, with an emphasis in International Marketing, and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Spanish, both from Northern Arizona University.

Outside of work, Petrone enjoys exploring Arizona with her husband and her two children. 

Rachelle Giles focuses on event coordination, technology, and communications for the firm and oversees the firm’s non-profit associations, media, and community outreach clients.

A proud North Dakota native and graduate of North Dakota State University (Go Bison!), Rachelle holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science and History.

Giles served as a Staff Assistant and Research Analyst in the office of North Dakota Governor John Hoeven. In 2009, Hoeven appointed her to the State Board of Higher Education where she served until 2010 when she joined the Governor Hoeven’s 2010 campaign for U.S. Senate as the Assistant Director of New Media and Research.  Following a successful campaign, she continued in the Senator’s regional office as Special Projects Coordinator.

In 2012, Rachelle worked with the Romney for President Campaign advance team to plan events and coordinate local and national media during their national bus tour. From there, she finished out the election cycle as Campaign Manager for a competitive race in New Mexico's 1st Congressional District.

Immediately prior to joining Goodman Schwartz in 2013, Rachelle served as the Research Analyst for Phoenix Councilwoman Thelda Williams, coordinating district events and assisting constituents with neighborhood issues and city services.

A life-long animal lover, Rachelle and her husband have four extremely spoiled and extra large rescue pups (Doris, Juliet, Vivienne, and Jon Snow). They split their time renovating their 1920s dream home in historic Downtown Phoenix and overlanding in the Southwest. An avid traveler, she (finally) completed her goal of visiting all 50 states in 2023 - on to countries!

Melissa assists with the operations, event planning, and communications for the firm’s non-profit clientele and provides logistical and directional support for some of the community outreach clients. Melissa earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Public Service and Public Policy and Master's degree in Pubic Administration at Arizona State University. 

Outside of the firm, Melissa loves to keep busy and leads an active lifestyle. She is happiest when she spending time in the great outdoors with her friends – camping, off-roading, hiking, and paddle boarding are a few of her favorite activities. She also loves aerial dancing, yoga, cooking, and making international travel plans. 

A graduate of Arizona State University, Emily graduated Summa Cum Laude receiving her Bachelor of Science degree in Public Service and Public Policy with an emphasis in law and policy.

In the fall of 2018, Emily served as a finance intern on now Congressman Greg Stanton’s campaign where she raised campaign contributions and assisted with campaign events.

During the 2019 state legislative session, Emily worked as a legislative intern with the Democratic Caucus of the Arizona House of Representatives, staffing the Health and Human Services and Technology committees. Following her time at the Arizona House of Representatives, Emily spent the summer in Washington D.C. interning in the Office of Congressman Greg Stanton. While on Capitol Hill, Emily worked directly with constituents and assisted the legislative staff on Judiciary and Transportation and Infrastructure issues.

Emily began her career at Goodman Schwartz Public Affairs as the firm’s Operations Director in 2019 and was promoted to associate with increased roles in public policy in 2020. Emily now leads the firm’s natural resource, energy, and water portfolios and recently graduated from the Water Management Certificate Program through Arizona State University lead by the Agribusiness and Water Council of Arizona.

In her free time, Emily enjoys traveling, exploring Arizona’s wonders, and indulging in the 'Real Housewives' TV franchises. When she is not out and about, her favorite pastime is spending time with her friends, family, and doing life with her partner Seamus and their two dogs Banjo and Thor! 

A native Arizonan and fourth-generation Arizona State Alumni, Molly graduated Magna Cum Laude from Arizona State University with her Bachelor of Arts in Business with a focus in Public Service and Policy.

Molly’s professional background started in marketing, public relations, and event planning; however, it was during the 2021 Arizona Legislative Session that she served as a Page at the Arizona State Senate and discovered a passion for public policy. Molly then shifted to a private industry legislative internship and worked as a Research Assistant at the Arizona State University School of Politics and Global Studies. She joined the firm after graduating in May 2022.

Molly's role within the firm allows her to work on a diverse portfolio of clients and issues. Her experience includes work in nonprofit management, disability advocacy, mining, aviation, transportation, and energy. 

Molly also spends her time serving on the City of Chandler's Transportation Commission, providing valuable input and guidance to help shape the future of her hometown. 

Outside of work, Molly enjoys hiking, supporting Arizona sports (and the New York Yankees), exploring Arizona with her husband and their dog, and trying to see all 63 National Parks. She is only on park #8, but so far her favorite has been Bryce Canyon!

A graduate of Arizona State University’s Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions, Stephanie earned a Master’s degree in Public Policy in 2021. Prior to this achievement, she received a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and a minor in Sustainability.

In 2019, Stephanie served as a legislative intern with the Democratic Caucus of the Arizona House of Representatives, staffing the Natural Resources, Energy and Water, Land and Agriculture, and Public Safety committees. Throughout her graduate career, Stephanie served at the Arizona State Senate as an administrative assistant for two legislative sessions where she supported a State Senator and handled constituent inquiries. Following her time as an administrative assistant, Stephanie served as committee secretary with the Senate Secretary’s Office.

During her free time, Stephanie enjoys spending time with her family and friends, including her fiancée and daughter and their dogs and cat. An avid nature lover, Stephanie loves gardening, spending time outdoors, and volunteering with advocacy groups.

Ashley Weber supports the firm’s operations as well as the local and state government relations teams, primarily assisting with research and communications.

Born and raised in North Phoenix, Arizona, Weber earned an Associate in Arts degree at Paradise Valley Community College and has remained active in her community. Weber is currently working toward her Bachelor’s degree at Arizona State University.

After completing her Associate’s degree, Ashley was fortunate to travel, which led to a multi-year stint as a full-time au pair.

Outside of work, Ashley enjoys spending time with friends and family, playing with her Irish Doodle, Henry, all things sports & athletics, and, of course, traveling.

Born and raised in Santa Ana, California, Clarissa attended Arizona State University and graduated in 2024 with a bachelors in political science and a minor in English.

During the 2024 state legislative session, Clarissa interned with the Arizona Senate Democratic Caucus staffing the democratic leadership and assisting with the Communications department.

When not working, Clarissa loves to spend time with family and friends as well as find new coffee shops to visit.