Michigan’s top GOP fundraising, issue management and political consulting firm Sterling Corporation announced that Heather Lombardini will lead the firm as President and Partner. Lombardini, previously on the leadership team at Sterling and head of its Fundraising unit, becomes Sterling’s first female president and shareholder. She also joins the Leadership Team at Lambert, Sterling’s majority owner and Michigan’s largest public relations and investor relations agency.
Lombardini, considered Michigan’s pre-eminent political fundraiser, joined Sterling in May 2015 to take over the fundraising practice and immediately improved processes, added new talent, and most notably, increased the firm’s fundraising efforts for its largest client, the Senate Republican Campaign Committee, by 35 percent. Prior to Sterling she led fundraising for the Michigan House Republicans and other winning candidates and causes over the past two decades.
“I’ve spent my career serving in a variety of GOP political positions in Lansing, most recently leading the Michigan Senate Republican Campaign Committee’s 2018 fundraising efforts, and I’m excited and ready for this new challenge,” said Lombardini. “Sterling has a stellar reputation strengthened by Mark Pischea’s leadership, and I’m honored to take the helm as we continue to evolve from a Lansing boutique to Michigan’s most trusted, most effective consulting and fundraising team.”
Lombardini replaces Mark Pischea, who will be Of Counsel and continue to advise Sterling’s political and public affairs clients while expanding his leadership in the national conservative energy movement. Mark and Jeff Timmer, who rejoined Sterling in mid-2018, will team with newly named Political Director Paul Cordes on Sterling’s political and issue management work.
Sterling named Cordes Political Director to lead the firm’s political consulting practice as well as the firm’s rapidly growing Digital Advocacy unit. Cordes has been with Sterling since early 2018 and has built Sterling’s digital practice while supporting the firm’s campaign accounts. Prior to joining Sterling, Paul served as Political Practice Director at Adtegrity, a national digital communications and advertising firm, and as Executive Director for the Kent County Republican Party. With Cordes’ appointment, together with Lansing veterans Pischea and Senior Counselor Jeff Timmer, Sterling has a potent combination of senior advisors and cutting edge tactical expertise.
“Sterling is coming off its best year ever, and Heather’s masterful development of the firm’s fundraising business was a big reason for that,” said outgoing Managing Partner Mark Pischea. “Additionally, Paul represents the next generation of Michigan political leadership, and is well-positioned to ensure Sterling clients continue winning elections. I’m confident that under Heather and Paul’s leadership, Sterling remains in good hands and is poised for a tremendous future.”
Jeffrey Lambert, CEO of parent company Lambert, added: “Heather’s record-setting performance in the mid-term elections this fall, coupled with her unmatched reputation as a tenacious advocate and astute advisor, earned her the keys to Sterling. It’s rare to have the talent and esteem that transcend candidates and causes, but Heather has it, and she’s the right person at the right time to lead our growth into the future.”
