“At Pugliese Associates, we put our abundance of government relations and procurement know-how to work for our clients, our communities and our state. We also mix in good humor and unique personal experience (which is surely unmatched by any other government affairs team in Harrisburg). People who need things done in Harrisburg and Philadelphia choose Pugliese Associates because we get the job done but also know how to smile while doing it.”
Rocco Pugliese
Rocco
When in Rome, they do as Rocco does. Once, he ran a marathon because it was on the way. He has inside jokes with people he’s never met. If he were to pat you on the back, you would list it on your resume. He once brought a knife to a gunfight… just to even the odds. When he was a boy, Rocco shook the hand of his boyhood idol, “Joltin’ Joe” DiMaggio and has always been an aficionado of classic rock, including Led Zeppelin, the Eagles, and Pink Floyd.
Lou
When Lou has a 50/50 shot, the odds are 80/20 in his favor. He is the life of parties that he has never attended. Panhandlers give him money. If he were to punch you in the face you would have to fight off a strong urge to thank him, if not kiss him full on the mouth. When he holds a lady’s purse, he looks manly. To female colleagues, he’s known as the “Officer and a Gentleman” so it’s no surprise that Lou’s college nickname was “Sweet Lou”.
Rick
When Rick drives a car off the lot its price increases in value. Like the “Most Interesting Man in the World”, he is celebrated in some corners of the world for seemingly unknown reasons. No fewer than 25 Ecuadorian folk songs have been written about him and many are sung during the national holiday of Carnival. Some say this Ecuadorian mystique may stem from Rick’s mid-1970’s two-month voyage upon a research vessel to both mainland Ecuador and across the archipelago of the Galapagos Islands. Upon his return, the U.S. government ordered the full details of the trip sealed until 2034.
Joann
Joann’s business card says, simply: “I’ll call you”. Her passport requires only her photograph and the initial “J”. She once mispronounced a Philadelphia mayoral candidate’s name. Rather than correct her, the candidate felt compelled to legally change his name – his poll numbers skyrocketed and he won the election. During a visit to the Louvre Museum, she was invited to touch the art. Indeed, every day Joann lives vicariously through … herself.
Christian
Christian’s shirts never wrinkle. When he lived in Spain, he chased the bulls. Tapa dishes throughout Andalucía have been named in his honor. Freemasons strive to learn his secret handshake. Upon joining the Navy, his mother got a tattoo that said “Son”. He can speak Russian… in French. He has taught old dogs a variety of new tricks. He once skied with Antonio Banderas and Melanie Griffith. But Antonio cut the trip short after Melanie continuously fell on Christian, she claimed “accidentally”.
Katie
Katie is left-handed and right-handed. When opportunity knocks, opportunity takes a numbered ticket and waits in line – because a long, long line of other opportunities are already through her door. Highly experienced CPA’s have calculated that her two cents are worth $37.50 in change. Her famous Cinco de Mayo party begins on the 1st of April. With unflappable nerves of steel, Katie once helped navigate a hot air balloon crash while on vacation in Catalonia, Spain, walking away unscathed.
Janine
Janine once went to the psychic, to warn her. When she met the Pope, he kissed her ring. She bowls overhand, always with a twinkle in her eye, and loves to dance; often spurring what appears to be highly choreographed flash mobs in the Capitol Rotunda, despite never once planning them. And once, the great, late American Blues singer, B.B. King, sang a song just for her while performing before a live audience.
Megan
Megan’s signature won a Pulitzer. She once had an awkward moment, just to see how it feels. She tips an astonishing 100%. While her blood smells like Chanel No 5, its color will always be Nittany Blue and White. On a whim she once joined a six person racing yacht crew and sailed non-stop for nearly a week (and through a gale) from Massachusetts to Bermuda.
Linda
Time waits on no one, but Linda. Most of her shoes are made from Chupacabra leather. Her recipe for deviled eggs involves actual witchcraft. She’s never lost a game of chance. Her pillow is cool on BOTH sides. She has won the Capitol Area Lifetime Achievement Award… twice. Once, to protect her young children, Linda killed a copperhead snake with her bare hands… and a roll of roofing paper.
Karen
Karen never wears a watch because time is always on her side. If she were to mail a letter without postage, it would still get there - overnight. She was once pulled over for speeding, and the cop got the ticket. As a young girl, she was known as “Kartwheel Karen” due to the seemingly unending number of cartwheels she could do (and still can). During her most successful basketball season she made no basket under 3 points. And while Karen doesn’t always know when her kids’ school projects are due, when she finds out, it’s usually tomorrow.