Scott Stenger Biography

Scott Stenger graduated with a dual major in Political Science and Communication from the University of Wisconsin Stevens Point in 1987. In 1988 Stenger moved to Madison, Wisconsin, and began his legislative career with Senator Jerome Van Sistine. In 1990 Van Sistine named Stenger his Chief of Staff. In addition to serving as Chief of Staff, Stenger clerked the Senate Committee on Insurance, Labor, Business, Veterans and Military Affairs and the Senate Committee on Affordable Health Insurance both chaired by Van Sistine. Stenger received the Vietnam Veterans Distinguished Service Award for his work on behalf of Wisconsin's Vietnam Veterans as well as the Legislative Award from the National Farmers Organization. In January of 1993 Stenger began his lobbying career as an in-house lobbyist with The Tavern League of Wisconsin (TLW). The TLW is a 5,000-member trade association. In addition to the State Legislature, Stenger also lobbies Wisconsin's Congressional delegation on behalf of the TLW. Stenger secured funding for one of the nation's first SafeRide Programs that ultimately received an award from the National Conference of Mayors for an innovative program to promote highway safety. The Madison Law Firm of Quarles & Brady hired Stenger in August 1995 as a contract lobbyist. Stenger was able to retain the TLW as a client when he joined the Quarles & Brady lobbying team. Stenger acquired his own clients and also lobbied on behalf of existing firm clients. In January 1999, Stenger opened his own lobbying practice - Stenger Government Relations. In his first legislative session Stenger: secured statewide compliance check protocol for tobacco sales, lowered felony penalties for gaming machines to a civil forfeiture, secured licensure of athletic trainers in Wisconsin, created property tax exemption for commercial fishing gear, and worked with a coalition to pass the Electric Reliability Act, to name a few accomplishments. Stenger Government Relations currently represents: American International Group, Altria (formerly Philip Morris), Miller Brewing Company, Tavern League of Wisconsin, Madison Gas & Electric, Takeda Pharmaceuticals America, Inc., Verizon Wireless, Verizon Communications, Wisconsin Athletic Trainers Association, and Wisconsin Commercial Fisheries Association. Stenger and his wife reside just outside of Madison in Deforest, Wisconsin.