Joe Miedusiewski

American Joe Miedusiewski is Senior Government Affairs Director for Old Line Government Affairs. Mr. Miedusiewski served in the Maryland House of Delegates from 1975-1988, the Maryland State Senate from 1988-1995 and was a candidate for Governor in Maryland’s 1994 Primary Election. He has been a lobbyist representing the private sector for 23 years. His background as a legislator, business owner and lobbyist provides clients the depth and breadth of access and experience they expect.

Prior to joining Old Line Government Affairs, he was the chair of the Government Affairs practice with Semmes, Bowen & Semmes in Baltimore. While in elected office, American Joe was a member of the Senate Economic and Environmental Affairs Committee and Chair of the Alcohol Beverage Subcommittee. He also created the Maryland Film Commission, generating tens of millions of dollars in economic activity annually.

Mr. Miedusiewski is also a speaker, seminar leader, and trainer on state government lobbying to national and local clients. He is a graduate of University of Baltimore.

What’s In A Name? The Story Behind “American Joe”

Miedusiewski’s Polish grandfather, Josef Mioduszewski, opened the popular bar American Joe’s in 1923, and his father Frank Miedusiewski, kept the name when he later assumed ownership. When Frank Miedusiewski ran for the House of Delegates in 1970, he lost by a few hundred votes because some people knew him only as “American Joe” and not by his legal name.

His son, Joseph Francis Miedusiewski, ran for the House and won in 1974 – but not before legally changing his name to American Joe. The memorable name stuck, and American Joe won five consecutive elections.