Longtime Arizona government-affairs veteran Michael Haener is joining Lumen Strategies as Partner January 1, adding to Lumen's bright roster of public affairs, public relations, government relations and campaign experts.

Haener has more than 20 years' experience in the public and private sectors, including co-chairing Governor Katie Hobbs' transition team and serving as Governor Janet Napolitano's Deputy Chief of Staff. Haener also served as Director of Legislative Affairs and Communications for an Arizona Attorney General, was Assistant to the Mayor of Phoenix, aide to U.S. Senator Dennis DeConcini, and colleague of former Congressman Matt Salmon as a consultant. He was a co-founder of a prominent bipartisan Arizona lobbying firm, Willetta Partners, prior to joining Lumen.

"First and foremost, we're thrilled that Haener returned from his summer sojourn to continue to fight the good fight for Arizona," said Stacy Pearson, co-founder and principal of Lumen Strategies. "We're even more thrilled he's leading our lobbying team. Our clients – and our state – are lucky to have him."

Haener added, "This will be fun."

Haener is the latest of several exceptional additions to Lumen in recent months. Earlier this year, the firm added Maritza Miranda Saenz, previously with The Impact Project and former Executive Director of the Maricopa County Democratic Party; Andrew Wunder, previously Chief of Staff for Phoenix Councilwoman Betty Guardado and campaign manager for a very long list of victorious efforts; and Tom Evans, who has almost three decades of experience in the Arizona marketplace in public relations, marketing and communications.

Pearson co-founded the firm with former Arizona House Minority Leader Chad Campbell, who left to serve as Chief of Staff for Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs in May.