Steve Sauls
Vice President for Governmental Relations

As the Vice President for Governmental Relations, Steve  is responsible for an aggressive new emphasis on governmental affairs at both the state and national levels.  Steve has more than 34 years working in the public sector as a senior political advisor, lobbyist, legislative strategist, fund-raiser, manager of Washington offices for elected officials, and university vice president.  Through his professional experience, Steve has acquired an extensive background in intergovernmental issues and state/federal relations as well as expertise in education, grants-in-aid to state and local governments, and the Congressional budget process. A 15 year veteran of FIU Governmental Relations, Steve returned to the University in 2006 from the private sector where he managed corporate, community, and governmental relations for a Fortune 150 global corporation.
Email Steve at: saulss@fiu.edu

Deborah Gallay
Associate Vice President for Education, Budget, and Policy

Debi brings first-hand experience and knowledge of Florida’s education, planning, policy and budgeting to FIU’s Office of Government Relations. She was both Vice Chancellor for Planning Budgeting and Policy Analysis, as well as the Associate Vice Chancellor. Debi also served as the Director of Institutional Research for the Board of Education Division of Colleges and Universities, as the Education Policy Coordinator for three Florida governors, and conducted education finance research for several states and the federal government. 
Email Deborah at: gallayd@fiu.edu

Susan Moya
Director of Federal Relations

Susan joined FIU in the summer of 2001 bringing experience spanning Capitol Hill, three national trade associations, an electric utility, a Fortune 200 multi-national corporation and the U.S. Department of Energy. She now represents the university’s research interests with the congress and federal agencies, and manages the University’s Washington Intern program. A seasoned Washington leader, Susan has held numerous elected governmental affairs positions, served as a frequent witness before Congress and federal agencies, directed several CEO-level policy committees, written and published government relations manuals, and was the political advisor to a Department of Energy official. She is a professional development mentor and is active in Virginia state and local politics. She earned a Masters of Arts Degree from George Washington University.
Email Susan at: Smoya@Mckennalong.com 

Michelle L. Palacio
Assistant Vice President for State Relations

Michelle, an FIU alumna, brings extensive government relations experience to FIU, having served as Chief Legislative Aide to Speaker-designate Marco Rubio when he served as Majority Leader of the Florida House of Representatives. She has helped coordinate numerous political campaigns and has close ties to many elected officials throughout Florida. She also worked as a Government Relations Consultant for a law firm, representing a wide range of public and private sector clients before all levels of state and local governments. Michelle received her FIU baccalaureate in education, and is pursuing a Masters degree in Public Administration. As a student, Michelle served as an executive board member of Phi Sigma Sigma sorority and the Panhellenic Council.
Email Michelle at: Palaciom@fiu.edu

Ana Herrera
Coordinator, Governmental Relations

Ana graduated from FIU with a degree in Political Science. She earned a Masters of Arts degree in Political Management from George Washington University in 2000. Prior to joining FIU, she worked in the Government Relations department of a local hospital. Now, as part of the FIU Governmental Relations team, she assists and facilitates the department with initiatives designed to promote the University in coordination with county and municipal governments.
Email Ana at: herra@fiu.edu

Kerry Ball
Program Assistant

Kerry began working at FIU in 2000, with the College of Continuing and Professional Studies. She joined the office of Governmental Relations in August 2003 and is currently working towards a degree in Liberal Arts at FIU. Kerry assists the administrative assistant and vice president with coordination of federal, state and municipal projects, coordinates travel plans, and develops agendas for the vice president and directors. She also processes all office management functions, such as contracts, purchase orders and subscriptions.
Email Kerry at: ballk@fiu.edu

Robert Vernon Myers III
Federal Relations Office Intern

Robert V. Myers III is the Federal Relations Intern for Fall 2009.  Robert was born in Alexandria, VA and grew up in Southern California before moving to Miami, FL in 2002.  Robert is a recent cum laude graduate of the Honors College at FIU with a BA in political science.  While completing his undergraduate degree, Robert was very involved throughout FIU.  Robert was a member of the "Outstanding" FIU Model United Nations delegation where he won the top honor of "Best Delegate" at Harvard's National Model UN conference, a first in FIU's history.  Robert was an active member of his fraternity, Pi Kappa Phi, where he served as Sergeant at Arms on the standards board.  He spent two semesters abroad studying film with FIU at the Charles University in Prague, Czech Republic, and International Affairs, at the Paris Research Center in France.  In the fall of 2008, Robert worked as a political activist in the state of Colorado.  To culminate the wide range of studies Robert completed throughout his four years at FIU, he completed his senior Honor Thesis titled, "The Plight of Women and the Girl Child in the United Nations."
Email Robert at: FIUintern@mckennalong.com