Meet The Team
Rosanna Carvacho Elliott
Rosanna’s extensive knowledge and network within the California State Legislature and
California’s political and policy landscape ensures the best outcomes for clients and
California. Her vast experience working in the realm of California policy and politics,
navigating complex issues and relationships with policymakers, negotiating issues
impacting individuals and businesses in California are the cornerstone of her sustained
success for her clients.
Rosanna has a very diverse practice which includes a large international energy
company, the alternative asset management industry, local governments, startups,
childcare providers and a health products manufacturer. Additionally, her practice
provides expert advocacy and counsel in the energy, water, and natural resources field.
Rosanna’s career in politics began as staff in the California Legislature. She served in
both the Senate and the Assembly providing her with robust policy experience and
creating a broad set of relationships in both houses along with a thorough
understanding of the legislative and parliamentary processes, the roles of legislative
leaders, their staff, and committee staff.
Prior to establishing CA Lobby, Rosanna was a partner in a small Sacramento based
lobbying firm and was a shareholder at a national law and lobbying firm, serving as
Managing Partner of the Sacramento office.
Rosanna received a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from California State
University Sacramento. She earned her law degree from the University of the Pacific,
McGeorge School of Law while working full-time in the State Senate. She lives in West
Sacramento, California with her husband and two children.
With nearly two decades of experience as a registered lobbyist, Teresa Cooke
possesses the strong relationships with key decision makers and political savvy to
achieve critical results. Her honesty, familiarity with her clients’ issues and passion for delivering the highest level of service makes her a sought-after advisor for those looking to influence policy or enhance their profiles in a new industry or market.
Ms. Cooke has a well-established practice in the energy sector, having represented an investor-owned utility and oil and gas company on issues related to energy storage, California’s Renewable Portfolio Standard, the Low Carbon Fuel Standard and climate policies. Ms. Cooke is also on the forefront of offshore wind policy issues in California, advising one of the world’s largest project developers since 2017.
Dedicated to supporting technology-neutrality in climate policy, she was hired by several Fortune 500 companies to spearhead the creation of the California Hydrogen Coalition in 2019. Serving as its executive director, Ms. Cooke has led an aggressive campaign utilizing social and earned media, grassroots advocacy and coalition building to raise awareness of hydrogen as a clean energy solution. She also leveraged her extensive legislative and administrative relationships to increase the profile of hydrogen among decision makers. Through its leadership, the California Hydrogen Coalition is now the leading voice on hydrogen mobility in Sacramento, securing millions for fueling infrastructure and production.
She has brought the same high standard of excellence to her other clients in travel and tourism, public safety and local government. Ms. Cooke draws on her years of expertise to provide objective and comprehensive counsel for her clients' most complicated political issues.
She earned a BA in government from California State University, Sacramento and
serves on the board of the Institute of Governmental Advocates. Ms. Cooke lives in
Sacramento with her partner, young child and terrific rescue dog.
Teresa Cooke
Mikhael “Mik” Škvarla is a proven negotiator, strategic thinker, and leading California compliance lobbyist for air quality, climate change, energy, transportation, and energy efficient building systems. His ability to collaborate and build formidable relationships across industry sectors and the political spectrum has helped influence legislative and regulatory outcomes for California’s marque energy and climate programs.
With a diverse background advocating for business, energy provider, utility, and private labor union interests, his credibility and trustworthiness have fueled Mik’s ability to broker deals and achieve client objectives. He’s adept at designing effective campaigns that educate and persuade target audiences while at the same time navigating complex problem-solving, competing interests, and busy policymakers and their staff.
Specifically, he has been a staunch advocate of Cap-and-Trade since the program's inception, actively participating in direct negotiations with the Administration and legislature for its super-majority and bipartisan reauthorization in 2017.
Before starting his consultancy, Mik was a senior analyst for the globally influential Air Resources Board (ARB), including the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), integrated air quality standards and compliance, sustainability and climate change, land use, and attendant rulemaking and regulatory trends. He also managed the legislative reauthorization of the Clean Air Vehicle (CAV) decal program and modernized the SMOG check program.
Prior, he served as a legislative and policy staff member for Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, and the experience provided a deep and nuanced understanding of the executive branch’s decision-making process, constituent and stakeholder issues, and California’s landmark environmental goals.
Before entering politics and policy, Mik gained valuable project management experience working for a family-owned construction company, consistently delivering projects on time and under budget. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Government from California State University, Sacramento, and was a founding member of the Council for Giving. Mik lives in Sacramento with his wife and two young children.
Mikhael “Mik” Škvarla
