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Randall
F. Witter
President
Prior to the formation of Cook-Witter, Inc. in October 1985, Randall F. Witter was
employed by the Illinois Community College Trustees Association and the Illinois
Association of Realtors. He had thirteen years of experience in association management and
lobbying with those organizations.
In addition to monitoring hundreds of pieces of legislation and representing the
association at public legislative hearings, Mr. Witter managed numerous governmental
affairs programs and projects. While with the Realtors he directed the operation of one of
the most successful political action committees in Illinois. He was director of
governmental affairs for the Realtors when it received the Grand Award for Management
Achievement from the American Society of Association Executives for the nations most
outstanding governmental affairs program.
In 1987, Mr. Witter was selected Speaker of the Third House, the organization
representing over 1000 registered lobbyists in Illinois. In addition, he has been a guest
speaker on lobbying and PAC organization for numerous associations.
He has been a member of the Illinois, Chicago and American Society of Association
Executives since 1974, earning the Certified Association Executive (CAE) designation in
1980 and serving as president of the statewide organization in 1984.
Mr. Witter received a bachelor of arts degree from Western Illinois University and a
masters degree in public administration from the University of Illinois at Springfield
(formerly Sangamon State University).
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Bruce Kinnett
Vice President
Bruce joined the Cook-Witter, Inc. staff in January 1988, with eleven years experience
in state and national governmental relations. He has worked extensively with agriculture,
conservation, natural resources and environmental concerns.
In 1983, Mr. Kinnett moved to Washington DC and founded a private corporation to
promote the development of aquaculture, raising aquatic plants and animals, as an emerging
agri-industry. Prior to moving to the nation's capitol he coordinated policy research and legislative
analysis of agriculture, conservation, energy and environmental issues for the Illinois
Senate Republican Staff.
In 1986, he co-authored The Illinois Aquaculture Industry: Its Status and Potential,
the first study of its kind for a major Midwestern agricultural state. He drafted
legislation to create the Illinois Aquaculture Development Act and assisted in securing
its passage in the 85th General Assembly.
In 1992, Mr. Kinnett became Vice-President of Cook-Witter, Inc. He is a member of the
Chicago, Illinois and American Society of Association Executives and has participated in
ASAEs Legislative Summit in Washington, DC.
He is a graduate of Illinois College, Jacksonville, with additional studies
at the University of Illinois at Springfield (formerly Sangamon State University).
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Betsy D.
Mitchell
Betsy has been associated with the principals of Cook- Witter, Inc. since 1976, when
she became the first private sector legislative intern sponsored by the Illinois
Association of Realtors. She later served as the associations assistant director of
governmental affairs where she gained an in depth knowledge of association management,
fundraising, public affairs and political insight into legislative lobbying.
In addition to her experience with the real estate industry, Ms. Mitchell represents
clients involved with health care, human services, education, local government, and
transportation issues. After completing four years on the Board of Directors for the State
Illinois Comprehensive Health Insurance Plan (CHIPs), Governor Edgar appointed her to
serve on the first Board of Trustees for Eastern Illinois University. In addition, she
currently serves as Co-Fundraising Chair for Illinois Women in Government.
Ms. Mitchell holds a Masters in Public Administration from the University of Illinois
at Urbana-Champaign and a Masters and Bachelors Degree in Political Science from Eastern
Illinois University. In addition she has been a political science instructor at the
University of Illinois and Parkland Community College.
She currently serves as the state legislative chair of the Champaign County
Chamber of Commerce, serves on the Carle Foundation Board, Co-President
of Central High Schools Parent-Teacher-Student Association and Fundraising
Chair of the U.S. Hot Air Balloon Championship.
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