Our Team

William C. Shouldice III

Bill is known as the “quarterback” of the firm and has more than 40 years in the Government Relations field. He began his advocacy career as government liaison for the insurance industry where he was employed for 26 years.  Bill started William Shouldice & Associates LLC in 1988 and has spent the last 24 years sharpening the advocacy skills of his team.

The firm’s client base is widely diversified, including multi-national and national companies, as well as associations representing an array of enterprises, including start-up ventures. William Shouldice & Associates LLC also participates actively in national associations of government advocacy groups.

Bill directs planning and implementation of custom designed legislative strategies for their clients.  These strategies include issue research and monitoring, constituency management, briefings for various audiences including government decision-makers outside the Legislature, and preparing and delivering expert testimony.

Through his extensive experience, Bill has developed a big reservoir of knowledge of many industries, the marketplace, the legislative and regulatory processes, and how to define and accomplish positive advocacy experiences for the firm and clients.  He has watched the political arena with a close eye through two generations of government leaders.  He has witnessed many changes in Vermont; Adminstrations, agency leaders, policy and many budget resolutions.

When Bill began his career, the nation was at war, with a Republican in the White House for the first time in several years, and Vermont had a Democrat as governor.  The legislative power was a closely balanced seesaw that could tip either way on nearly any issue. The economy nationally and in Vermont was in recession. And the big issue confronting the Vermont Legislature was how to balance the budget.  All very similar to the challenges we face today.

Heather F. Shouldice

Heather Shouldice is Managing Partner of William Shouldice & Associates LLC.  Heather represents the firm in both the Legislative and Regulatory arenas representing Vermont & National clients.  Heather previously served in the Vermont Legislature as a member of the House of Representatives. She represented the Washington-6 House District and served on the House Ways & Means Committee.  This assignment gave her the privilege of obtaining firsthand knowledge of Vermont’s tax system.

Heather’s successes have been the direct result of developing relationships in a true tri-partisan manner.  While in the Legislature, Heather caucused with the House Democrats, since that is where she felt most comfortable, making lasting relationships with the House Democratic leadership.  Heather is known as a consensus builder and has brought this valuable skill to the firm.   

Heather lives in Montpelier and was the former co-owner and operator of The Country Store in Montpelier for 25 years. Heather is the immediate past-President of the Montpelier Rotary Club, serves as a Corporator for the Northfield Savings Bank, serves on the Board of Directors for the Central Vermont Chamber of Commerce, and is the Chair of the Capital Complex Commission.

Heather is a life-long Vermonter, attending school in central Vermont and later went on to study business management at Paul Smith’s College and St. John Fischer College. 

Cheri L. L'Esperance

Prior to joining William Shouldice & Associates LLC, Cheri worked for one of the “Big 4” accounting firms as a Project Manager providing IT consulting, troubleshooting, server management as well as complete telephone infrastructure and equipment management.  She has led projects companywide across the US, managing more than a dozen on her team. Cheri also oversaw the design and planning for the construction of a new office as it pertains to the installation and management of the LAN space.

Cheri brings her technology skills to William Shouldice & Associates LLC and provides legislative bill tracking and reporting for "up to the minute" communications with clients. She handles all the day to day activities in the office as well as direct client contact. If you have a question or need information, Cheri will track it down for you. Cheri lives in Montpelier, is a native Vermonter, attending school in the Franklin County school system and later went on to Trinity College in Burlington, Vermont for US Canadian Studies while playing on the tennis, soccer and basketball teams. 

 

William C. Shouldice III

Heather F. Shouldice Cheri L. L'Esperance