Mark A. Rokala
Mark Rokala is a founding member of Cornerstone Government Affairs. His diverse work portfolio includes renewable fuels, alternative energy, agriculture, health care, trade, and Native American issues.
Mark brings over twenty years of lobbying experience to Cornerstone. He has led the development of the firm’s renewable energy sector. On behalf of clients, he has worked on the Energy Independence & Security Act of 2007, Energy Policy Act of 2005, and the Energy Title of the Food, Conservation and Energy Act of 2008. Most recently, he has coordinated clients’ efforts to maintain programs during Congressional debate on the Fiscal Year 2011 Continuing Resolution. His work also includes tax credit policy for cellulosic ethanol, biodiesel, solar and energy storage industries.
Before Cornerstone was formed, Mark served as a Legislative Assistant for the current Chairman of the Senate Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, and Related Agencies, Senator Herb Kohl (D-WI). He managed and set priorities for the Agriculture, Energy and Water, Interior, and VA-HUD appropriations bills. As a key staff member, he cultivated relationships with constituents, agencies, and the Administration in order to advance the Senator’s agriculture, energy, environment, interior, and food and drug legislative priorities. Also, he represented the Senator at WTO discussions on trade.
Mark began his career in Washington as a Legislative Director for Congressman David Minge (D-MN). In this capacity, he was a key player in the development of the Congressman’s legislative and policy agenda for the Agriculture and Science Committees. Mark also assisted the Congressman’s work as co-chair of the Alcohol Fuels Caucus as farmer-owned ethanol plants played a significant economic force in the Congressional District.
A Minnesota native, Mark holds a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Economics from the University of Minnesota.