Hill & Main Strategies
"At a time when we needed it most, cities and GMA were so very fortunate to have Mike's talent and energy on our side"
Becky Taylor, Former Federal Relations Director, Georgia Municipal Association
"I first met Mike when he started working at the National League of Cities in 2020, just as the country was shutting down for Covid. At NLC, Mike was responsible for advocating on behalf of cities, towns, and villages across the United States - working closely with state municipal leagues and municipal leaders to understand the critical needs for communities. At a time when public health and safety were at the top of everyone's minds, most of America was in lockdown at home, but local government workers were on the front lines providing emergency services like water, sewer, sanitation, and emergency response. I was the Federal Relations Director for the Georgia Municipal Association representing 536 cities during this time. From the first day I worked with Mike, I found him to be an incredible resource and wealth of knowledge, ready to gather stories that would ultimately persuade Congress to provide direct funding for Covid relief to every city in the United States. The passage of this bill was really just the beginning - it was complex legislation with numerous requirements for local officials to comply with, and many cities in Georgia are very small with no professional staff. Mike's ability to distill information about federal requirements is so outstanding - he is able to take a very complicated issue and very clearly explain to anyone the essential information that's needed to understand and take action. I counted on Mike for several years to help shepherd Georgia's city officials through the maze of federal funding guidelines and updates to the guidelines. Mike was also instrumental in advocating for simplified reporting for cities and for fairness in spending guidelines. He is a great speaker but also a great listener who clearly and succinctly communicates and takes the feedback he receives and works to improve outcomes for his audience. In addition to his acumen as a presenter, he is also a superb writer, a tax expert, and a fearless advocate who is incredibly passionate about his work. At a time when we needed it most, cities and GMA were so very fortunate to have Mike's talent and energy on our side. Local officials in Georgia and the GMA staff could not have navigated the myriad federal bureaucracy during Covid without Mike's skill, persistence, wit, and ability to speak to any audience. Mike is also just a joy to partner with. When we were in the trenches of Covid, we were grateful to have Mike by the side of Georgia's cities."
Our Commitment
What We Believe
We believe that strategic, informed advocacy is the key to local prosperity and progress.
Every city has a vital project that could dramatically improve the lives of its residents - be it infrastructure renewal, community development, or sustainable initiatives. Hill & Main Strategies provides targeted, high-impact services essential for maximizing your city's influence and securing critical resources to accomplish your goals.
Our mission is to transform unfunded programs and ambitious plans into fully supported, tangible realities by identifying and connecting your city with the optimal government resources.
Who We Are
Our firm combines deep knowledge of municipal needs with expertise in effective government relations, ensuring your city's voice is heard at the highest levels of decision-making in Washington, D.C.
As a committed, transparent, and dedicated partner, Hill & Main Strategies provides the customized strategies necessary to overcome budgetary obstacles and accelerate economic and community development.
Principal and Founder Michael Gleeson successfully secured $65.1 billion in aid for communities across the nation, worked with coalitions to open the door to clean energy investment opportunities, and influenced the tax code to protect working families - all on behalf of municipal leaders.
We do not just find the money, we equip your city with the long-term tools for sustained success and growth.
About Michael
Michael Gleeson is a highly accomplished federal lobbyist and legislative strategist with a proven record of securing billions of dollars in resources and enacting major policy change for local governments.
Michael began lobbying the federal government in 2016 after spending three pivotal years working on
Capitol Hill, giving him an invaluable insider's perspective on the legislative process. He further sharpened his expertise during four years at the National League of Cities (NLC) where he played a central role in delivering $65.1 billion in direct aid to cities through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). His advocacy efforts also successfully influenced the IRS, clearing the way for $15 billion in infrastructure investment across the U.S. Additionally, he led a major coalition that ushered in seven significant reforms to federal grant management processes, simplifying access for cities nationwide. Michael was a frequent and sought-after speaker on ARPA at various state league meetings.
At Hill & Main Strategies, Michael partners directly with local governments and nonprofits, large and small, applying his deep policy knowledge to complex challenges. His focus on delivering practical and actionable solutions, ensuring clients not only gain access to key decision-makers, but also employ the precise strategies needed to transform ambitious plans into funded realities.
Michael holds a Master's degree from Johns Hopkins University and another Master's degree from American University, complementing his undergraduate degree from the University of Washington.
Why should my city spend on federal lobbying? Measurable, high-value returns.
Every $1 invested in dedicated federal representation could generate $24 - $39 in federal earmarks. Professional federal lobbying is not a discretionary expense, but a strategic investment that is within reach. The evidence demonstrates that the relatively modest outlay for professional advocacy yields exponentially larger payoffs in the form of federal funding and favorable legislative policy. Data from a study examining municipal lobbying illustrates this point starkly: the average city in the sample spent approximately $25,780 (in 2025 dollars) annually on federal lobbying. This expenditure was directly associated with an average return of approximately $1,257,720 (in 2025 dollars) in federal earmarks during the study period. Therefore, estimating 15 - 24 months to secure funding, every $1 invested in dedicated federal representation generates a return of $24 - $39 in federal earmarks. This ratio underscores the powerful financial leverage that professional advocacy provides, transforming a necessary operational cost into a mechanism for massive capital infusion for local projects. The need for federal lobbying arises from the inherent "public goods gap," which occurs when a city's specific infrastructure and policy preferences diverge from those of its parent state. When local needs, such as a particular water treatment plant or a mass transit extension, are not prioritized by the broader state legislative agenda, federal lobbying becomes the crucial pathway to bypass the institutional roadblock. By investing in advocates like Hill & Main Strategies, a city secures a dedicated representative whose sole focus is advancing local priorities. This direct line to Congress and federal agencies ensures that specific local projects are accurately presented, correctly positioned, and proactively championed to secure essential funding and grant awards that would otherwise be missed or overlooked in the competitive, high-stakes environment of federal resource allocation. Ultimately, treating federal lobbying as an investment is essential for accelerating local development and achieving prosperity. These funds are not mere budgetary padding; the earmarks and grants secured pay for vital community projects, from fixing roads and improving public safety to funding critical social programs. For an investment of roughly $25,000 to generate over $1.2 million in dedicated project funding means a city is not spending its money; it is actively using a small amount of capital to leverage immense federal wealth. This strategic allocation of resources allows city leaders to move beyond day-to-day operations and focus on long-term growth, validating the investment by securing a tangible, transformative return for their constituents and local economy. Source: Goldstein, R., & You, H. Y. (2017). Cities as Lobbyists. American Journal of Political Science, 61(4), 864-876. http://www.jstor.org/stable/26379532
Our Services
What We Offer
Hill & Main Strategies provides targeted, high-impact services essential for maximizing your city's influence and securing critical resources.
Legislative Monitoring & Intelligence
Empowering Leaders
Provide timely political intelligence regarding proposed federal legislative and regulatory changes that could impact your city's policies or funding.
Direct Lobbying & Representation
Building Relationships
Serve as your city's direct agent in Washington, D.C., building strategic relationships with Congressional and Administration decision-makers.
Proactive Opportunity Identification
Securing Resources
Continuously monitor and alert your city to new federal grant and discretionary funding opportunities that align with your municipal goals.
Coalition Building & Mobilization
Amplifying Voices
Develop powerful alliances with other municipalities, nonprofits, and industry partners to amplify your city's voice on Capitol Hill.