Why It Matters
ControlCase LLC is entering the federal lobbying arena for the first time, having registered with Michael Best Strategies LLC on August 20, 2026. ControlCase LLC's lobbying engagement with Michael Best Strategies LLC covers 18 defense-related sub-issue categories. The filing reports no specific legislation and leaves blank the section detailing particular issues being lobbied.
By The Numbers
Preston Hill serves as Senior Director, Lucia Alonzo as Principal, and Erik Berdy as Partner for ControlCase LLC at Michael Best Strategies LLC. Preston Hill and Lucia Alonzo are lobbyists with prior government experience, and Erik Berdy is a lobbyist at the same firm. According to Legis1 platform records, Hill has filed 125 lobbying disclosures across his career and served 9 years 10 months in Congress across the 114th, 115th, 116th, 117th, and 118th Congresses. Alonzo has filed 55 disclosures and served roughly three years in the Senate. Berdy has filed 42 disclosures but has no recorded congressional staff experience. A fourth team member, Jason Yaworske, is also involved; he has filed 115 disclosures and served over 10 years in Congress. A fifth team member, Brittan Specht, serves as Senior Director; she has filed 135 disclosures and brings extensive prior House relationships across 26 Republican members, including those on defense-focused committees.
Broader Context
ControlCase acquired CyberNINES to help defense contractors and suppliers meet evolving federal cybersecurity requirements while maintaining eligibility for government contracts. A suspension of the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) Phase 2 was tied to a directive to reduce compliance barriers for small and medium-sized businesses in the defense supply chain.
Between The Lines
No specific bills were listed in the filing. The team's extensive Republican congressional connections and defense-sector expertise, particularly Specht's relationships across 26 House members and Yaworske's Senate Appropriations Committee background, suggest a focus on defense procurement and cybersecurity policy, though the blank specific-issues field in the registration limits clarity on exact legislative targets.
Bottom Line
ControlCase's entry into federal lobbying, backed by a team with deep defense-sector expertise and Republican congressional relationships, reflects the growing importance of cybersecurity compliance in defense contracting. The timing of the registration, following the CyberNINES acquisition and amid CMMC Phase 2 reforms, suggests the firm is positioning itself to influence policy around federal cybersecurity requirements for defense suppliers.
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