Meet the Team

Brian S. Dempsey

President

Brian has more than 27 years of experience in the Massachusetts House of Representatives, where he has represented the City of Haverhill. Elected to his first term in the House in 1991, he served four terms as the House Chairman of the Committee on Ways and Means, where he authored seven House Budget proposals, and held a number of additional leadership positions, serving as House Chairman of the Joint Committee on Public Service; Chairman of the House Committee on Science and Technology; House Chairman of the Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy; and House Chairman of the Committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies.

Over the course of his service in the House, Brian participated in drafting many key legislative items, including these notable bills:

• House Bill 2619, An Act Expanding Gaming in the Commonwealth (co-author)
• Chapter 240 of the Acts of 2010, An Act Relative to Economic Development Reorganization (co-author)
• Chapter 169 of the Acts of 2008, An Act Relative to Green Communities (co-author)
• Economic Stimulus I: An Act Relative to Investments in Emerging Technologies to Promote Job Creation, Economic Stability and Competitiveness in the Massachusetts Economy (co-author)
• Chapter 240 of the Acts of 2010, An Act Relative to Economic Development Reorganization (co-author)

Outside of the political arena, Brian has worked as an insurance broker, and has owned and operated the Brian S. Dempsey Insurance Agency in Haverhill, Massachusetts for over 20 years. Brian holds a B.A. from the University of Massachusetts Lowell.

RECOGNITION & AWARDS

• Massachusetts Bar Association, Legislator of the Year (2013)
• Massachusetts Women’s Political Caucus, Good Guy Award (2016)
• Association of Independent Colleges and Universities, Committed to Access Award (2017)
• Boston Children’s Hospital, Child Health Hero (2017)
• Greater Boston Food Bank, Public Advocate of the Year (2012)

PROFESSIONAL & COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

• Massachusetts House of Representatives (1991 – 2017)
• Haverhill City Council (1988 – 1991: vice president, 1989; president, 1990)
• Co-Chair, Public Policy Leadership Council, Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce
• Member, Board of Directors, Foster Kids of the Merrimack Valley
• Member, Board of Directors, Merrimack Valley Economic Development Council Inc.
• Corporator, Pentucket Bank
• Member, Haverhill Democratic City Committee

Tatum Kelleher

Vice President of Government Relations

As VP of Government Relations, Tatum advises clients on legislative issues in Massachusetts and provides support to clients through the tracking and analyzing of legislation as well as monitoring regulatory and state commission proceedings. Prior to joining Dempsey Associates, Tatum worked for the Massachusetts House of Representatives for over the past half-decade. Most recently, Tatum served as the Chief of Staff to the Chair of the Joint Committee on Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery where she managed committee and district staff and oversaw the development and execution of the Chair’s legislative and budget priorities.  Tatum previously served as committee staff to the Joint Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight. Tatum graduated with a B.S. in Political Science from Salem State University and holds a Master of Public Policy (MPP) from the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth.

Brittany Dempsey

Government Relations Associate

As a Government Relations Associate, Brittany oversees the day to day operations and provides support to the government relations team. Prior to joining Dempsey Associates, Brittany worked in enrollment and visitor support at Merrimack College where she served as a Senior Admission Counselor for Visitor Services. In this role, she planned and executed all daily visits and large scale events such as Open Houses and Admitted Student Days. Brittany previously worked as an Assignment Editor at WCVB, NewsCenter5 where she followed up on news tips and decided which news stories and significant events would be covered. Brittany graduated with a B.A in Communication and Media Studies in 2017 from Merrimack College and a MEd in Higher Education from Merrimack College in 2023.