Sam Klemet joins Catalyst as Vice President of Operations
LANSING, Mich. (May 20, 2026) — Kelley Cawthorne, the Midwest’s leading multi-client lobbying firm, today announced the launch of Catalyst, a new full-service association management company designed to help organizations maximize member value, advance their missions and streamline operations.
Catalyst will offer business and professional associations in Michigan, Ohio and across the country a comprehensive suite of services, including:
- Full-service association management
- Marketing and communications
- Board and committee governance
- Event management
- Member management
- Financial administration
- Political Action Committee reporting
“Kelley Cawthorne began offering association management support several years ago because we saw a clear need among our clients,” said Melissa McKinley, president of Kelley Cawthorne. “Today, we have grown to thirteen association clients and a dedicated team of more than a dozen employees. The launch of Catalyst as a new company under the Kelley Cawthorne umbrella is a natural next step, and a commitment to growth across Michigan, Ohio and beyond.”
To support the launch and expansion of Catalyst, the company has added Sam Klemet as vice president of operations. In addition to his role with Catalyst, he will also support Kelley Cawthorne’s overall growth in Southeast Michigan.
“Catalyst is built on the belief that associations thrive when their members feel seen, supported and connected to a larger purpose. Sam’s strategic leadership and his talent for articulating an organization’s value to the right audiences make him an ideal fit for what we’re building,” said Rob Elhenicky, CEO of Kelley Cawthorne.
Klemet brings more than two decades of experience leading high-profile organizations and building award-winning brand and communications strategies across automotive, media, and association industries. Most recently, he served as the executive director of the Detroit Auto Dealers Association and the Detroit Auto Show. Klemet was previously president and CEO at the Michigan Association of Broadcasters and director of member services with the Indiana Broadcasters Association.
“Having spent more than a decade helping associations grow their membership and influence, I know first-hand the challenges these organizations face. Kelley Cawthorne’s Catalyst model will directly address those challenges, and I’m excited to bring my perspective and experience to its association management and lobbying clients,” said Klemet.
The launch of Catalyst represents the latest chapter in Kelley Cawthorne’s expansion across the Midwest. In 2023, the firm acquired Columbus-based Thomas P. Pappas & Associates, a move that formalized Kelley Cawthorne’s growing presence in Ohio and positioned the combined organization as a leading multistate lobbying firm. Catalyst builds on that foundation, extending the firm’s capacity to serve its lobbying clients and in the day-to-day work of running effective, member-driven organizations.
For more information, please visit Catalyst website.
ABOUT KELLEY CAWTHORNE
Kelley Cawthorne is the Midwest’s leading multi-state lobbying firm with offices in Lansing, Michigan and Columbus, Ohio. The firm’s client list includes major Michigan, national and international organizations, such as AT&T, Automotive Recyclers Michigan, Deloitte, DTE Energy, Ford Motor Company, McLaren Health Care, McLaren-Karmanos Cancer Center, Michigan Association of Broadcasters, Michigan Behavior Analysis Providers Association, Michigan Professional Firefighters Union, Rehmann, Wal-Mart and Wayne State University.
CONTACT
Lisa Gill, on behalf of Catalyst
lisa@nearperfectmedia.com
810-459-4446