Meet Megan Richwine, OAHP’s New Lobbyist

OAHP is delighted to welcome and introduce Megan Richwine — she goes by Meg — as our new director of government affairs. She has built an impressive career in a relatively short time frame, with experience as a senior legislative aide to an Ohio House of Representatives committee chair, director of government affairs & client relations for Byers, Minton & Associates, and manager of state government relations for Cardinal Health.

She joined us officially on Sept. 30. Most likely many of you will be hearing from or running into her before long if you haven’t already. In the meantime, we sat down for a get-to-know-you conversation.

Q: You’ve worked in the legislature, as a contract lobbyist and for a large corporation. How have those experiences shaped your work?

A: It makes me well rounded because I know these systems inside and out. They say there’s a three-legged stool of lobbying in contract, corporate and association, and with OAHP I’m adding that final leg.

Q: What’s your approach to government relations, and what do you like about the work?

A: I enjoy serving as the middleman. As a legislative aide, it was between legislators and their constituents so lobbying is a natural progression from that. I might not be an expert on a given issue, but I’m able to find the experts and go to them for the answers. I also love meeting new people on all sides of an issue. In many cases, we all have the same destination in mind but we have 50 different ways of getting there. It’s like figuring out a puzzle.

One of the most humbling things you can admit is that you don’t know. You say so and you go find out. As long as everyone is open to sitting around the table and having a conversation, you can find the way to a lot of coexisting.

Q: What do you think makes a good lobbyist?

A: Being intentional about what you do and anticipating what’s coming next. When you are the middleman and you have to coordinate with so many people, anticipating their needs, questions, and being intentional about how you respond is really impactful. Getting someone the answer before they ask the question — that really makes people feel seen and builds relationships. 

Q: What do you like to do away from Capitol Square? 

A: I play on quite a few soccer teams. Soccer has become a community, and I’ve really enjoyed making new friends, many of them lifelong. I generally will play any sport — soccer, basketball, pickleball — as long as it’s social. I’m not a gym-goer. As long as it has a ball involved, I’m there.

It really channels my competitive instincts. You can’t be that competitive in lobbying and be successful, but for my work I pull from the teamwork aspect of sports. I started playing soccer when I was 4 and my dad drilled the importance of teamwork into me — he said, “If you’re not working with other people and trying to reach the goal, you’re not going to get very far.”

Q: How do you relate to some of the negative perceptions of lobbying and the adversarial aspects of the job?

A: I think the most negative comment I hear is that it’s just about “wining and dining.” I try to steer people more to the idea of being a connector — educating and bringing legislators and our members together and translating back and forth. We need to know who to bring in to bridge the gaps that might exist, to clear up the lack of understanding.

As for dealing with conflict, I think that starts before the conflict arises — it’s about having relationships. If you have a relationship of mutual respect before a difference arises, you’re going to have a better chance of finding a solution. You listen, you take questions, and honestly promise to get back with a response.

Q: What should people know about you?

A: I have an open-door policy. I’m approachable, and I’m willing to have any and every conversation. If I don’t know the answer, I’ll get it for you.

Q: What is your short-term goal?

A: My goal is for OAHP to continue to be as respected as it is now. When you know someone’s name without seeing them all the time, as I did with Kelly, that tells you they’re doing a great job. She’s very well known and respected — the team has a great reputation. I don’t think I’ve ever heard anything negative, and that’s rare.