Our Team

Kay LiCausi is a highly sought-after government and public relations strategic advisor and issues advocate. A creative and dynamic business leader with almost 30 years of experience in government and politics at the local, county, state, and federal levels, Kay knows how public policy, politics and process intersect to craft and deliver personalized strategies to achieve client objectives.

As the founder and President of Hoboken Strategy Group, a boutique government and public relations firm and certified Women Business Enterprise (WBE), Kay has led HSG since its inception in 2008 and, to date, has more than doubled the size of the organization. HSG represents a diverse client-base including Fortune 100 companies, pharmaceutical interests, brownfield developers, national associations, and government entities. HSG works with organizations in New Jersey to increase their business presence, solve regulatory challenges, or champion legislative issues. Kay has bipartisan reach and has guided her clients through five gubernatorial administrations.

Kay serves on the New Jersey Committee of the Regional Plan Association and was selected by Governor Murphy to serve on the Government Technology and Innovation Transition Team.

Kay is a determined advocate for women and children. She believes that business and government entities are stronger when a diverse array of voices collaborate, which is why she dedicates her time to ensure the placement of women in key governmental positions and on boards and commissions. Kay serves as the co-lead of the Democratic Task Force of the Bipartisan Coalition for Women’s Appointments; the former Co-Chair and current Board Member of PAM’s List, a New Jersey fundraising network for democratic women legislators; the board of Latina Civic PAC; and as the Treasurer for Girl Scout Troop 10370. Additionally, Kay provides mentorship and networking opportunities with one college student each year through the Jamie Foxx Scholars Program at TCNJ.

Prior to forming her first lobbying firm, KL Strategies in 2002, Kay was the New Jersey Chief of Staff to then-Congressman Bob Menendez and ran his New Jersey issues portfolio which included transportation and infrastructure, dredging, environmental protection, and federal funding. She was the primary New Jersey liaison with federal agencies, elected officials and community leaders across the State. In her political career, Kay has served in a variety of positions from field organizer to finance director to campaign manager on several campaigns including Hudson County Executive Tom DeGise, Governor Jim McGreevey, and U.S. Senator Robert Torricelli. Kay served as the Vice-Chair of the powerful Hudson County Democratic Organization from 2002-2005. 

In January 2020, NJ Monthly profiled Kay and her husband Matt McDermott, who held senior leadership positions under Governor Chris Christie, on their bipartisan marriage and their belief that government is stronger when both parties work together. In 2013, Kay lectured at the Eagleton Institute of Politics Public Leadership Education Network series. In 2010, Latinas United for Political Empowerment gave Kay the “Amiga Award” at the Power of Women event. In 2009, Kay climbed Mt Kilimanjaro with the Love Hope Strength Foundation and raised funds to build the first children’s cancer center in Tanzania. In 2007, NJBiz named her one of the state’s forty most dynamic leaders under 40.

Kay earned her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and American Studies from Rutgers University in 1993. Kay is a proud single mom-by-choice to her daughter Lily. The LiCausi-McDermott family resides in Monmouth County.

Michael J. Comba serves as the Senior Vice President of Hoboken Strategy Group (HSG).  Michael represents clients on the federal, state and local levels and oversees the firm’s operations. With nearly twenty years of experience as a public affairs professional, Michael successfully leverages his expertise in critical thinking and strategic problem-solving to shepherd numerous legislative and grassroots outreach campaigns on behalf of HSG’s clients. With a results-oriented approach to client service, Michael has advanced numerous client projects through state and federal appropriations advocacy in addition to assistance with permitting and project completion. 

Known for his creative and innovative approach to public relations, Michael effectively leads HSG’s website content development practice, as well as the development of social media marketing and messaging. He takes into account each client’s goals to create the ideal social media strategy that will drive guaranteed results and grow a client’s network.  

Michael began his political career at the age of 13, volunteering in local political campaigns in 1993. After working with local campaigns, Michael deepened his already profound passion for government and politics by interning with a State Assemblymember in high school. In college, he worked on Capitol Hill for then-Congressman Menendez and upon graduation served as legislative director for a member of the State Assembly in 2002. Michael began working in the private sector in 2003 and helped found HSG in 2008. 

Michael believes in making an impact wherever possible. With deep knowledge and experience in all levels of government and politics, Michael understands how federal appropriations intersect with public policy and the impact these funding opportunities have on the public. He always shows his sons, Nicholas and Michael, how hard work can have lasting results for the community, which is why he dedicates his time to serving in local government.  

Active in his local community of Edison, Michael has served as a member of the Township of Edison Zoning Board of Adjustment since 2015, currently serving as Chairman. He also serves as a member of the Board of Trustees of Thomas Edison Center at Menlo Park. In 2014, Michael was a fellow with the New Leaders Council-New Jersey and now serves on their Advisory Board. 

Michael is a graduate of The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Politics and the Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy at Rutgers University where he earned a master’s in Public Affairs and Politics. 

Outside of work, Michael manages his sons’ recreational and travel baseball teams. If there is time beyond that, he enjoys cooking and spending time with his wife, Maria, and sons.

Matthew Anderson is a well-connected government affairs agent who serves as Vice President of Hoboken Strategy Group. In his role, Matt manages and guides clients at both the state and municipal level through complex governmental agencies and entities to achieve positive resolutions. Matt leverages his strong relationships with legislators and stakeholders to advocate and drive his clients' initiatives and projects. He also works with leading technology and pharmaceutical companies to help firms grow their public sector business and expand their presence throughout the state. 

Matt began his political career in the Maryland legislature as an intern for the powerful Appropriations Chairman, Delegate Norm Conway. He then served on Delegate Conway’s re-election campaign. From there, he worked his way up to Committee Clerk of the Appropriations Committee where he learned the inner workings of the Maryland state legislature.   

Craving to learn more about campaigns, Matt moved back to New Jersey to work for the Monmouth County Democrats. Starting as the Municipal Campaign Director in 2015, he moved his way up quickly, becoming the Executive Director in 2016. In this role, Matt served as a key player in electing Senator Vin Gopal, Assemblymembers Eric Houghtaling and Joann Downey, and dozens of Mayors and Councilmembers in Monmouth County.      

Due to his successful leadership and strong campaign coordination, Matt became the Chief of Staff to Assemblymembers Eric Houghtaling and Joann Downey. Leading a staff of six, Matt worked daily to advocate on behalf of the constituents in the 11th Legislative District and advance pivotal pieces of legislation that have positively impacted New Jerseyans to this day. 

Following his role as Chief of Staff, Matt joined Direct Development, a marketing and Public Relations firm that specializes in business development, digital media, communications, media relations and online marketing. As a Business Development Manager, Matt used strong marketing and public relations skills to advance clients' products and services and leverage opportunities to engage clients with key partners and political targets across the state. 

Matt is the founder and President of Millennials for NJ, a political action committee dedicated to helping millennials win elections. Additionally, Matt is a Democratic State Committee member representing Monmouth County and was recently named #16 on InsiderNJ’s Millennial Power List.   

Matt is a graduate of Salisbury University and is currently pursuing his law degree part-time at Seton Hall University. Outside of work, Matt enjoys playing basketball, attending comedy shows, and experimenting with new recipes. He resides in Tinton Falls, New Jersey.

Alea Couch is a skilled government affairs agent with deep policy experience in state government and politics. She is well versed with the state legislative process and intergovernmental relations, which has equipped her with the knowledge to successfully meet public policy objectives.   

Alea currently serves as a Vice President of Hoboken Strategy Group (HSG). In her role, Alea assists the firm in engaging with state and local officials and executing legislative strategy on behalf of HSG’s clients. As an experienced policy expert, Alea is highly skilled in managing relationships with senior government officials and community stakeholders with tact and diplomacy. She has earned a reputation as a policy powerhouse, staying current on existing and proposed legislation at all levels of government.

Prior to joining HSG in 2022, Alea served as a research associate in the New Jersey Senate Democratic Office, where she staffed the Senate Community and Urban Affairs and Senate Military and Veterans’ Affairs Committees. She started her tenure there by playing a crucial role in overseeing a package of bills aimed at alleviating New Jersey’s foreclosure crisis, which were signed into law by Governor Phil Murphy. In this role, Alea conducted extensive research and issued recommendations on a variety of policy issues including housing, urban policy, and government efficiency in order to drive legislative action for the Democratic Caucus. She was integral to crafting the bill that enabled New Jersey to adopt some of the strongest renter’s protections in the country, while providing financial assistance to both landlords and tenants, as the State continued to navigate through the COVID-19 pandemic.  

Alea’s political career started in 2015 as a legislative intern with the Seventh Legislative District Office. From 2015 to 2016, Alea worked at Rutgers University’s Eagleton Center on the American Governor to promote research and discussion on the varied roles, powers and legacies of governors in the United States. In 2017, she got her professional start as a legislative aide to then-Assemblyman Troy Singleton who promoted her to the Policy Coordinator position once he became a State Senator the following year. It was during this period that she cultivated her deep love for public policy work as she spearheaded policy research and helped craft legislative solutions to execute the Senator’s policy agenda.  

Alea’s passion is driven by her belief in the powerful impact a diverse set of voices involved in the policymaking process has in shaping how those policies serve all New Jersey residents across varying backgrounds. Alea is committed to transforming ideas into government actions that positively influence our evolving society. In 2021, Alea was listed on Insider NJ’s “Insider 100: Policymakers” and was named a “Rising Star” on ROI Influencers People of Color 2020 “Rising Stars” list.  

Alea graduated from Rutgers University with a bachelor’s degree in political science, while also working part-time as a barista. She is currently pursuing her master’s in public administration. Born and raised in Mount Holly, New Jersey, Alea still calls New Jersey home. During her free time, she enjoys traveling, collecting vinyl records, collecting houseplants and practicing yoga.