Trusted by our Clients
We understand the people and processes that can help ensure your success or prevent you from achieving your goals. We are experts at our craft and dedicated to your success.
Why “On the Rail Advisors?” What does it mean? Why does it matter? What’s in a name?
We know you are the one in the arena working hard everyday, but every step of the way we will be there on the rail advising you, guiding you, and cheering you on so you can focus on your business goals.
Andrew Hitt, Esq
Founder & President
Andrew Hitt has spent his career helping organizations win the public perception battles that determine whether they succeed or fail. For more than two decades, he has advised elected officials, companies ranging from small businesses to Fortune 20 companies, local governments, business leaders, nonprofits, and community organizations through some of the nation’s most complex political, regulatory, and reputational challenges.
As Founder and President of OTR Advisors, Andrew leads a firm dedicated to one mission: helping organizations win the perception battle, overcome public opposition, and earn the confidence needed to move forward. Whether the challenge is a controversial development project, government action, legislative fight, community backlash, media scrutiny, or a rapidly evolving crisis, Andrew believes success begins by understanding perception before attempting to change it.
That philosophy has become the foundation of OTR Advisors. The firm’s team combines strategic intelligence, public affairs, communications, research, and campaign-style execution to help clients change minds—not simply deliver messages. Every engagement is built around two core principles: Fiercely Creative and Continuously Pursuing. OTR challenges conventional thinking, develops unexpected solutions, relentlessly searches for opportunities, and never stops adapting until the client’s objectives are achieved.
Andrew has led public perception campaigns involving economic development, infrastructure, healthcare, utilities, agriculture, education, public safety, and emerging technologies. He has helped clients navigate government investigations, regulatory battles, legislative campaigns, community opposition, media crises, and high-profile public policy debates. His ability to simplify complex issues into persuasive narratives has made him a trusted advisor to organizations facing their most important moments.
Before founding OTR Advisors, Andrew served in senior leadership positions throughout Wisconsin state government. He began his legal career as the first law clerk to Wisconsin Supreme Court Chief Justice Annette Kingsland Ziegler before serving as a felony prosecutor. Under Governor Scott Walker, he served as Deputy Legal Counsel, Senior Advisor to the Governor, and later as Assistant Deputy Secretary at both the Department of Health Services and the Department of Administration, where he helped lead major policy initiatives and navigate some of the state’s highest-profile challenges.
Andrew later spent nearly a decade at Michael Best & Michael Best Strategies, serving as an attorney, government relations advisor, strategic communications consultant, and ultimately Chief Operating Officer of Michael Best Strategies. There he helped expand the firm while advising organizations across the country on public affairs, government relations, strategic communications, and crisis management.
Over the course of his career, Andrew has participated in hundreds of media interviews and public discussions, with his work appearing locally and national outlets including The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, Fox News, Fox Business, PBS Frontline, and 60 Minutes. His experience spans the intersection of law, government, politics, media, and public opinion—where reputations are built, challenged, and ultimately defined.
Andrew earned a bachelor’s degree in Medical Microbiology and Immunology from the University of Wisconsin–Madison, a Juris Doctor from Marquette University Law School, and an MBA from The George Washington University.
He and his wife, a physician, are raising three children in Wisconsin, where Andrew remains active in his community as a youth soccer coach, former school board member, and enthusiastic supporter of his children’s equestrian pursuits.
Andrew founded OTR Advisors on a simple belief: every organization has a story worth telling—but winning today’s public perception battles requires more than good communications. It requires relentless strategy, bold creativity, and the persistence to keep pursuing the next opportunity until perception becomes reality.
Ben Voelkel
Principal
Ben Voelkel is a seasoned public affairs and strategic communications advisor who helps organizations navigate high-stakes moments where public opinion, policy, and politics intersect. With more than 15 years of experience at the highest levels of government, public affairs, and political campaigns, Ben understands what it takes to persuade audiences, shape narratives, and win when the outcome matters most.
As a Principal at OTR Advisors, Ben helps clients build public support for complex initiatives, prepare for intense public scrutiny, and develop integrated campaigns that influence decision-makers and key stakeholders. Drawing on his experience in national politics and strategic communications, he combines research, messaging, media strategy, stakeholder engagement, and campaign execution to help organizations overcome opposition and achieve lasting results. Guided by OTR’s commitment to being Fiercely Creative and Continuously Pursuing, Ben approaches every challenge with the mindset that successful campaigns are never static—they evolve, adapt, and relentlessly pursue every opportunity to shape public perception.
Before joining OTR Advisors, Ben spent nearly a decade in Washington, D.C., advising Fortune 500 companies, trade associations, and national organizations on public affairs, strategic communications, and advocacy campaigns. He also served in senior communications roles for Senate Majority Whip John Cornyn and U.S. Senator Ron Johnson, helping manage communications on some of the nation’s most consequential legislative and political issues.
Ben is also a veteran of eight statewide political campaigns, including three successful U.S. Senate campaigns and his own campaign for Lieutenant Governor of Wisconsin. Those experiences reinforced his belief that every successful campaign begins with understanding the audience, anticipating challenges, and delivering messages that inspire confidence and action.
Throughout his career, Ben has advised executives, elected officials, advocacy organizations, and business leaders facing fast-moving, high-pressure environments. Whether navigating a legislative battle, responding to media scrutiny, or building public support for a major initiative, he helps clients communicate with discipline, credibility, and strategic purpose.
A Wisconsin native, Ben brings a campaign mindset to every engagement—recognizing that public perception is earned through preparation, persistence, and execution. He believes the most successful organizations don’t simply react to changing circumstances—they shape the conversation before others have the chance.
Jake Hajdu
Principal
Jake Hajdu helps organizations build the coalitions, community relationships, and grassroots support necessary to succeed when public perception shapes the outcome. With nearly two decades of experience leading high-profile campaigns, advocacy initiatives, and stakeholder engagement efforts, Jake understands that lasting success is built by earning trust, bringing people together, and inspiring action.
As a Principal at OTR Advisors, Jake advises clients on stakeholder engagement, coalition building, grassroots strategy, public affairs, and campaign execution. He helps organizations navigate complex public issues by identifying key audiences, building authentic relationships, and developing strategies that generate meaningful public support. Guided by OTR’s commitment to being Fiercely Creative and Continuously Pursuing, Jake believes the strongest campaigns are built through collaboration, adaptability, and relentless execution.
Jake has spent his career leading organizations and campaigns where every decision mattered. He has held senior leadership positions with national advocacy organizations, statewide political organizations, and presidential campaigns, directing large teams, managing complex operations, and helping shape strategy in some of the country’s most competitive political environments. His experience spans battleground states across the Midwest and Northeast, where he developed expertise in organizing, public affairs, communications, and stakeholder engagement.
Before joining OTR Advisors, Jake served as Executive Director of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin, where he earned a reputation for building high-performing teams and uniting diverse stakeholders around common goals. He also held leadership roles on the Hillary for America and Warren for President campaigns and advised national organizations including the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, Climate Power, and Invest in America. More recently, Jake applied his relationship-building expertise in the private sector, helping innovative organizations expand partnerships, strengthen networks, and create new opportunities for growth.
Throughout his career, Jake has developed a reputation for bringing people together to solve complex challenges. Whether engaging community leaders, mobilizing grassroots supporters, building strategic partnerships, or advising executives through high-profile initiatives, he understands that the strongest public perception campaigns are built on genuine relationships and sustained engagement.
Jake lives in Madison, Wisconsin, with his wife, Katie, a public school teacher, their son, Clark, and their dog, Hildy.
Jake believes successful public perception campaigns aren’t won by speaking the loudest—they’re won by listening first, building authentic relationships, and earning trust one conversation at a time.
Alesha Guenther
Director of Communications and Public Affairs
Alesha Guenther helps organizations communicate with clarity, confidence, and credibility when the stakes are highest. She specializes in developing the strategies and messages that shape public perception during crises, litigation, public policy debates, reputation challenges, and complex communications campaigns.
As Director of Communications and Public Affairs at OTR Advisors, Alesha works with clients to transform complicated issues into compelling narratives that build trust and move audiences to action. She develops integrated communications strategies that combine media relations, messaging, public affairs, crisis communications, digital strategy, and strategic storytelling. Guided by OTR’s commitment to being Fiercely Creative and Continuously Pursuing, she helps clients stay ahead of rapidly changing situations while ensuring every communication advances a larger strategic objective.
Alesha has extensive experience advising organizations, policymakers, and advocacy campaigns navigating politically sensitive and high-profile issues. She understands that public perception is shaped long before a headline is written or a camera turns on, and she works alongside clients to proactively define the conversation rather than simply respond to it.
Before joining OTR Advisors, Alesha served as Marketing and Communications Director for the Institute for Reforming Government, where she led strategic communications and marketing efforts to advance statewide public policy initiatives. She also served as an Associate at Michael Best Strategies, advising clients on strategic communications, media relations, research, public affairs, and integrated advocacy campaigns.
Earlier in her career, Alesha served as Communications and Research Director and spokeswoman for the Republican Party of Wisconsin, where she directed message development, rapid response, policy research, and opposition research during some of the state’s most visible political campaigns. She has also advised numerous political campaigns on communications strategy, research, and message development, giving her a deep understanding of how public opinion forms and how successful campaigns influence it.
Alesha earned her Juris Doctor from Marquette University Law School and holds bachelor’s degrees in Journalism—with emphases in Strategic Communications and Reporting—and Political Science from the University of Wisconsin–Madison.
Whether helping clients navigate a crisis, launch a major initiative, or overcome public opposition, Alesha brings the strategic discipline of an attorney, the instincts of a seasoned communicator, and the creativity needed to win today’s public perception battles. She believes the strongest communications don’t simply respond to public perception—they help create it.
Rachel Goodle
Writer, Director of Strategic Narratives
Rachel Goodle believes that every organization has a story worth telling and that the right words have the power to shape perception, inspire action, and build lasting trust. She combines a passion for storytelling with meticulous attention to detail, helping clients communicate with clarity, authenticity, and purpose.
As a Writer and Director of Strategic Narratives at OTR Advisors, Rachel serves as a trusted partner to clients throughout every stage of an engagement, ensuring strategies are executed seamlessly and every deliverable reflects OTR’s commitment to excellence. Working closely with the firm’s strategists, she helps transform complex ideas into compelling content that connects with audiences, advances client objectives, and reinforces the broader public perception strategy.
Rachel’s expertise spans strategic writing, editing, messaging, content development, and project management. Whether developing executive communications, campaign materials, website content, thought leadership, or public-facing messaging, she has a talent for finding the language that resonates with audiences while remaining true to each client’s voice and mission.
Her career has been built around a lifelong passion for words. From serving as editor of both her high school and college newspapers to completing her bachelor’s degree in English Language Arts in just two years, Rachel has always been driven by the belief that thoughtful communication creates meaningful impact. She has worked with organizations and professionals to refine their ideas, strengthen their messaging, and elevate their communications through thoughtful writing and editing.
Rachel believes the strongest communications don’t happen by accident—they are built through collaboration, curiosity, and careful attention to every detail. Guided by OTR’s commitment to being Fiercely Creative and Continuously Pursuing, she works to ensure every client experience is exceptional and every piece of communication moves the strategy forward.
Whether managing complex client engagements or crafting the words that bring a campaign to life, Rachel helps organizations tell stories that influence perception, strengthen relationships, and inspire action.
Liberty "Libby" Wood
Creative & Social Media Strategist
Libby Wood helps organizations tell their stories where today’s public conversations happen—online. Combining creativity with strategic execution, she develops compelling digital content that strengthens brands, engages audiences, and advances the broader public perception strategies behind every OTR Advisors campaign.
At OTR Advisors, Libby leads social media strategy and execution for clients across a wide range of industries and issues. She creates original graphics, develops content calendars, writes engaging social media copy, manages digital platforms, and ensures every post reflects each client’s voice while supporting larger campaign objectives. Working closely with OTR’s strategists, she transforms complex issues into clear, visually compelling content that informs, inspires, and builds public confidence.
Libby believes successful digital communications require more than consistency—they require creativity, authenticity, and a deep understanding of how audiences engage with information. Guided by OTR’s commitment to being Fiercely Creative and Continuously Pursuing, she continuously explores new ways to capture attention, strengthen engagement, and help clients stand out in an increasingly crowded digital landscape.
In addition to managing client social media accounts, Libby supports campaign research, content development, and project coordination, helping ensure every initiative is executed with precision and attention to detail. Her collaborative approach and responsiveness make her a valued resource for both clients and colleagues as campaigns evolve and opportunities emerge.
Libby is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Marketing with a minor in Digital Studies at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, where she continues to develop her skills in strategic communications, storytelling, and digital media. She brings curiosity, creativity, and a fresh perspective to every client engagement, believing that the strongest digital communications are those that connect people to ideas in meaningful and memorable ways.