Ex-Lawmaker’s Firm Adds Lobbyist

State House lobbyist John A. Pica Jr., a former state senator from Baltimore City who usually is a solo practitioner, has hired an associate lobbyist.

Pica has turned to Manelle Nuñez Martino to join his firm. Most recently, Martino served as campaign director and fundraiser to newly elected state Del. Alice Cain (D-Anne Arundel).

Martino has a wide variety of experience in politics, in business and in the nonprofit sector. She has served on the boards of directors for Maryland Hall, Historic Annapolis, Ballet Theatre of Maryland, and the Annapolis Opera. She also co-founded Capital Teas, a retail chain that grew from a single Annapolis store to 24 locations nationwide. In 2008, she co-founded Strut and Sip for Autism, an organization that raised funds to support programs around autism such as Maryland Therapeutic Riding.

“Manelle brings unparalleled experience in politics, non-profit work, and business,” Pica said in a statement. “I am also proud that we have diversified our firm and hired Manelle, who will be the only female Hispanic lobbyist in a major Annapolis lobbying firm.”

Pica has been lobbying and practicing law since he resigned from the Senate in late 1996. He spent four years in the House of Delegates, representing Northeast Baltimore, and 14 in the Senate.