Our History

One of the premier lobbying firms in Annapolis, Manis Canning & Associates (MCA) has been representing the interests of its clients for almost 50 years, dating back to 1974. Our team collectively has more than 100 years of experience working with legislatures, executives, and regulators in local, state and federal governments.

We provide creative, proactive government affairs, public relations, business and trade association management strategies and programs to a diverse group of clients. Expertise in varied disciplines such as law, fiscal policy, business regulation, education, healthcare, grassroots lobbying, public relations and business development give us the unique ability to assess a situation and recommend a successful resolution to a problem.

Our History

One of the premier lobbying firms in Annapolis, Manis Canning & Associates (MCA) has been representing the interests of its clients for almost 50 years, dating back to 1974. Our team collectively has more than 100 years of experience working with legislatures, executives, and regulators in local, state and federal governments.

We provide creative, proactive government affairs, public relations, business and trade association management strategies and programs to a diverse group of clients. Expertise in varied disciplines such as law, fiscal policy, business regulation, education, healthcare, grassroots lobbying, public relations and business development give us the unique ability to assess a situation and recommend a successful resolution to a problem.

For almost 50 years, the Manis Canning team has achieved superior lobbying results for its clients by adhering to the fundamental principles of integrity, credibility, ethics and teamwork.

We conduct ourselves in a bipartisan manner and pride ourselves in our ability to build and manage effective grassroots organizations and issue-based coalitions. We believe credibility is essential to maintaining the firm’s good name and the good name of its clients, and preserving that commodity is of paramount importance.

MCA is proud to be the only Maryland firm selected to belong to the National Association of State Lobbyists (NASL) and the Dentons 50-State Government Affairs Network. NASL is a network of leading state government affairs professionals and state lobbyists across America with members selected for their integrity, business ethics and expertise. Dentons 50 is a full-service, 50-state public policy and advocacy network offering unrivaled reach and depth in state capitols across the nation.

Our firm is also a member of the Greater Baltimore Committee and the Maryland Chamber of Commerce. Our principals serve in leadership positions and/or participate with many public, private, and nonprofit organizations.

We conduct ourselves in a bipartisan manner and pride ourselves in our ability to build and manage effective grassroots organizations and issue-based coalitions. We believe credibility is essential to maintaining the firm’s good name and the good name of its clients, and preserving that commodity is of paramount importance.

MCA is proud to be the only Maryland firm selected to belong to the National Association of State Lobbyists (NASL) and the Dentons 50-State Government Affairs Network. NASL is a network of leading state government affairs professionals and state lobbyists across America with members selected for their integrity, business ethics and expertise. Dentons 50 is a full-service, 50-state public policy and advocacy network offering unrivaled reach and depth in state capitols across the nation.

Our firm is also a member of the Greater Baltimore Committee and the Maryland Chamber of Commerce. Our principals serve in leadership positions and/or participate with many public, private, and nonprofit organizations.

Our clients expect a lot from us, and, as a public official, so should you.

Firm Profiles

Nicholas G. Manis

Nick has been an accomplished lobbyist and legislative analyst for more than 30 years and has played an instrumental role in forging innovative and economically enhancing business partnerships among clients.

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John F. Favazza, Esq.

Accomplishing goals in Annapolis depends in large measure on mutual trust and mastery of the legislative process, two attributes that John, has honed through his experiences in Annapolis and applies now as a member of the MCA firm.

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Joseph C. Bryce, Esq.

A long-time trusted advisor to Maryland policymakers, Joe, is regarded as one of Maryland’s top governmental program architects and advocates. He brings his reputation for creative and insightful problem solving to MCA.

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Andrea E. Mansfield

Andrea has extensive experience at the state and local level, having led and coordinated policy efforts for the Maryland Association of Counties (MACo) and implemented the legislative agendas of state agencies.

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Natasha Mehu, Esq.

Natasha brings a deep familiarity with and understanding of MD state and local government to MCA. Her experience in Annapolis and Baltimore makes her a trusted voice in government, policy, business, and advocacy circles.

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Patricia McDonald

Patricia manages the day-to-day activities for all the legislative tracking and information processes provided to our clients. She coordinates information from our staff to develop the legislative profiles available on our web-based system.

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Jennifer Dengler

Jennifer handles the accounting and financial management for the Firm and the several associations operated by its principals. She brings over 25 years of accounting experience in both the public and private sectors to the Firm.

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CO-FOUNDERS OF MCA

George N. Manis, Esq. (Deceased 2014)
Michael F. Canning (Retired 2018)

George and Mike joined to form MCA in 1991, forging a multi-faceted government relations firm incorporating the basics of issue and client lobbying with coalition-building, communications and public relations practices. In that regard, George pioneered the use of grass-roots lobbying as a government relations tool in the State of Maryland.

Additionally, their trade association experience and expertise provided full-service management for industry and professional groups, such as the Maryland-Delaware Independent Automobile Dealers, the Maryland Beer Wholesalers, the Maryland Certified Public Accountants, the Nurse Practitioners and the Maryland Sheriffs.

George lived and operated under the standards of hard work, ethics and professionalism, which guided the firm through its growth and helped make it one of the top lobbying firms in the State of Maryland today.

In addition to co-founding MCA, George served as an Assistant State’s Attorney for Anne Arundel County and as a director for the former Sovran Bank. A graduate of the University of Baltimore School of Law and the University of Maryland, College Park, where he lettered in basketball for four years, George was a veteran of the United States Air Force.

George is greatly missed by all those who had the fortune to call him family, friend, co-worker or acquaintance. In his honor, the Maryland Government Relations Association named an award after him, the George N. Manis Lifetime Achievement Award. He leaves behind him a life-long legacy rooted in honesty, positive values and love of family.

Mike, in addition to his work at the state level, lobbied for MCA clients before Congress and Federal Agencies. He honed his communications and lobbying skills over thirty years in senior positions with Maryland Governor Harry Hughes, the Maryland Department of Transportation, the National Governors Association, and Montgomery County Government.

Mike served as an Associate Judge of the Maryland Tax Court from 1983 to 1994, and holds BA and MA degrees in public relations.

Our Philosophy

What can you as a client or elected official expect from the professional team at Manis Canning & Associates?

For almost 50 years, the Manis Canning team has achieved superior lobbying results for its clients by adhering to the fundamental principles of integrity, credibility, ethics and teamwork. Our clients expect a lot from us, and, as a public official, so should you.

Consistently Ethical Conduct and complete compliance with the letter and spirit of State and local laws and disclosure requirements.

Credibility, Honesty and Integrity in the information we provide on behalf of our clients and in response to questions from elected officials and others.

The highest standards of Civility and Professionalism in every interaction – public and private – with you, your staff, and everyone in the Annapolis complex.

Prompt Assistance with Constituent Matters and responsiveness to requests for information received from you and your office.

Unparalleled Substantive Knowledge of the process and the policy issues we engage on.

A Cooperative and Collegial approach to problem solving and the sometimes challenging process of policymaking.

Our Philosophy

What can you as a client or elected official expect from the professional team at Manis Canning & Associates?

For almost 50 years, the Manis Canning team has achieved superior lobbying results for its clients by adhering to the fundamental principles of integrity, credibility, ethics and teamwork. Our clients expect a lot from us, and, as a public official, so should you.

Consistently Ethical Conduct and complete compliance with the letter and spirit of State and local laws and disclosure requirements.

Credibility, Honesty and Integrity in the information we provide on behalf of our clients and in response to questions from elected officials and others.

The highest standards of Civility and Professionalism in every interaction – public and private – with you, your staff, and everyone in the Annapolis complex.

Prompt Assistance with Constituent Matters and responsiveness to requests for information received from you and your office.

Unparalleled Substantive Knowledge of the process and the policy issues we engage on.

A Cooperative and Collegial approach to problem solving and the sometimes challenging process of policymaking.

Annapolis Office (Main):

La Plata Office:

Practice Areas:

• Issue Analysis & Strategic Planning • Legislative & Executive Advocacy • Regulatory Advocacy • Procurement & Business Development • Coalition Building & Managing Relationships • Local Government Consulting