In the latest installment of From the Lobby‘s Meet the Team series, host Joanna Pasceri sits down with Peter McGowan, one of the newest associates at O’Donnell & Associates. A Western New York native and Fordham-trained political scientist, McGowan brings experience from New York City government relations, state Senate campaigns including Senator Jeremy Cooney’s, and a stint in Congressman Joe Morelle’s district office. Now based in Albany alongside Vice President and Policy Director Jim Moore, McGowan reflects on the pace shift from campaigns to lobbying, what New York City taught him about how decisions actually get made, and why walking into the Legislative Office Building on a session day still gives him a thrill.
Joanna Pasceri
We hear a lot about politics from the outside, but what about the real work happening on the inside? The people in the meetings taking the calls, moving things forward? That’s what our Meet the Team series is all about. Hi, everyone, and welcome back to From the Lobby with Jack O’Donnell. Today we’re introducing you to one of the newest faces at O’Donnell & Associates and someone already right in the mix in Albany. Peter McGowan is an associate with the firm. He’s worked in New York City government relations, served on state Senate campaigns, and got a look inside Congress. So he’s seen how this all works from a few different angles. Peter, welcome to the lobby.
Peter McGowan
Hi, Joanna. Thanks so much for having me on. I’m thrilled to be here.
Joanna Pasceri
Well, it’s so nice to have you on board. Tell us a little bit about yourself.
Peter McGowan
Yeah, certainly. So I just joined O’Donnell and Associates about a month ago after previously working in government relations based out of New York City. And I’m thrilled to be a part of the team. Moved up to Albany, so I’m based out of here now and really excited to get started and continue to be in the mix here in Albany.
Joanna Pasceri
Well, you studied political science at Fordham University, but I’m always curious — when did this career actually click for you?
Peter McGowan
I would say I was really lucky to have grown up in a household where we weren’t afraid to talk about politics around the kitchen table. Whether that be my parents or my grandparents, debate was always welcomed, and they kind of exposed me to that at a young age. We always had Meet the Press on every Sunday — that was kind of a tradition. So I think it started there. But to pinpoint something exactly, I had the opportunity to work in Congressman Joe Morelle’s district office the summer after my junior year of high school. And I think at such a young age, having the opportunity to be around incredible public servants, especially in my hometown of Rochester, it was super inspiring just to see the great work they did around town and how they really were able to help people. I think that kind of turned a light on inside my brain, saying this is something I can really see myself doing long term.
Joanna Pasceri
You’ve worked on state Senate campaigns, including with Rochester’s Jeremy Cooney, and also spent time in a congressional office. Campaigns are fast, government not always the same speed. What surprised you the most about the transition from campaigns to government relations?
Peter McGowan
I think you kind of said it yourself — the pace was a huge difference and kind of a surprise. In a campaign, it’s go, go, go all the time. You’re solely focused on winning. But in government relations, there’s kind of a time and a place for that too. You want that urgency. But as we all know, government as an institution doesn’t always move that fast. I think it’s really important to have some degree of patience as well, and kind of see things as they develop, while also keeping a sense of urgency in mind.
Joanna Pasceri
How do you keep that patience? What keeps you going?
Peter McGowan
I think focusing on the clients and just constantly studying and making sure that you’re aware of the issues. While things aren’t always moving fast, there’s always news out there, and it’s always important to keep track of that.
Joanna Pasceri
Great point. Before joining us, you were working in government relations in New York City. You were dealing with agencies, elected officials, and a lot of moving pieces. What did you learn about how decisions really get made?
Peter McGowan
I think I learned about how many people it really takes for government to operate — whether that’s people in the government or stakeholders, community groups, et cetera. If you were to just watch movies and TV, you would think that every decision was made unilaterally by the president or a mayor or a governor. Seeing how things unfolded during my time in New York City, which is such a crazy environment in and of itself, it was kind of fascinating to see how all sorts of different groups in the city came together to make things function.
Joanna Pasceri
Well, now you’re based in Albany, where a lot of the big decisions happen. What’s it like being in that environment every day?
Peter McGowan
It’s really, really exciting. I really get a kick out of walking in, especially on a session day, to the Capitol or the Legislative Office Building and seeing so many groups coming together in that small space and making so much noise, just trying to have their voices heard. For someone in the government space, that’s really exciting and invigorating and also really fun. Being in the mix in Albany is really, really special.
Joanna Pasceri
You had to move from New York City to Albany. How was that transition, and where do you think you prefer living? Do you like the smaller environment rather than the big city?
Peter McGowan
I think I do. It’s been a great move so far. As I said, I grew up in Rochester, so Albany is much more similar to that. I enjoy the slower pace, and I like walking to work every morning, getting some fresh air. It’s been a great transition so far, and I’m thrilled to be a part of a great team as well.
Joanna Pasceri
Well, we’re thrilled to have you. Tell us a little bit about your day. What is it like?
Peter McGowan
It’s a mix of things. Juggling client meetings, connecting with members of our team, doing as much writing as I can, studying as I can. It’s an exciting field because things change day by day, so you have to adapt.
Joanna Pasceri
You are in Albany with our Vice President and Policy Director, Jim Moore. How has that been going?
Peter McGowan
It’s been fantastic. Jim is a great guy, both to learn from and to work with, and I’m having a great time so far.
Joanna Pasceri
He’s got a lot of knowledge in that head of his, right?
Peter McGowan
He does, yeah. It’s really been a great opportunity to be able to learn from him.
Joanna Pasceri
You spend your days around policy and politics. When you step away from it all, how do you reset?
Peter McGowan
A couple things. I’m a huge sports fan, especially the Bills and the Sabres, so I try to catch as many games as I can. That’s been great recently with the run that the Sabres have been on. I love to play golf — I’d say that’s kind of more of an addiction than a hobby at this point, weather permitting. And I love the movies. I try to watch a couple movies every week if I can, mostly depending on how tired I am at night.
Joanna Pasceri
What’s your favorite movie?
Peter McGowan
If I had to choose one, it would be Goodfellas. I love mobster movies, specifically that one. My friends and I watched that, and we quote it to each other. It has a lot of funny, quotable moments. So I’d have to choose Goodfellas.
Joanna Pasceri
Absolutely. And I just happened to be on social media this morning — pretty soon playoff tickets will be available for the Sabres. Is that something you can get back here to Buffalo for?
Peter McGowan
I hope so. I’ve had my mind on that as well. After all these years, I can’t imagine what the ticket prices might look like. But I’d love to catch one if I could.
Joanna Pasceri
Are you a Buffalo native?
Peter McGowan
Buffalo native, originally. We lived in East Aurora until I was about 5 years old, and then lived in Warsaw, New York for a period of time and then ended up in Brighton, where I spent most of my childhood in the Rochester area.
Joanna Pasceri
You’ve been around the Western New York area for a great deal of your life then?
Peter McGowan
I have, yeah, just about everywhere in the Western New York region. I’ve been super proud of that as well. I love home, love seeing my family and all my friends.
Joanna Pasceri
Well, Peter, it’s been really great getting to know you. So glad to have you on the team in Albany.
Peter McGowan
Thanks so much, Joanna. Thrilled to be with the team and great speaking with you.
Joanna Pasceri
Great talking to you. This has been another interesting Meet the Team episode, introducing you to the people behind the success at O’Donnell and Associates — the people helping clients figure things out and get things done. If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe, share it and stay with us for more conversations like this. Thanks for listening, everyone. We’ll see you next time from the lobby with Jack O’Donnell.
