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0-5 years

Awarded Order of the Long Leaf Pine

Dave has over 40 years leading non-profit and government healthcare organizations, including the last eight years leading the North Carolina's $20 billion Medicaid program. Prior to serving as deputy secretary for Medicaid, he was the deputy secretary for Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities. Dave joined DHHS as director of the Division of Mental Health in 2013. Before joining the Department, he was executive director of several statewide chapters of The Arc, including The Arc of Delaware, Louisiana and North Carolina, where he led the advocacy and service delivery for people with disabilities.

Dave has worked for both Republican and Democrat administrations and was unanimously confirmed to his Medicaid position by the North Carolina General Assembly. During his tenure at North Carolina Medicaid, Dave led the program's transformation from fee for serve to managed care, supported the provider community through the COVID pandemic and successfully maintained a balanced budget throughout his service.

Dave has served on numerous state and national boards and committees, including the National Association of Medicaid Directors. He has presented to legislative and other governmental entities and to local, state and national meetings on health policy throughout his career.

Amanda represents companies, trade associations, and nonprofits before Florida's Legislative and Executive branches, providing year-round advocacy and strategic guidance on matters affecting regulated industries and public policy.

6-10 years

Florida State University
Master of Science
Applied American Politics and Policy (2015)

Influence Magazine, Rising Stars of Florida Politics (2022)

Influence Magazine, Honorable Mention - Health Care Lobbyist of the Year (2023)

Florida Auto Dismantlers & Recyclers Association, Recognition for Exemplary Legislative Oversight and Advocacy (2023)

Amanda takes a strategy- and relationship-driven approach to government affairs. She works closely with lawmakers, state agency leadership, and key stakeholders to advance client priorities across legislative, regulatory, and budgetary processes, and to ensure clients are well-positioned as issues develop.

Her experience includes tracking and advocating policy, budget, and rulemaking initiatives; assisting clients in navigating complex government agency matters; and advising on coalition-building, grassroots engagement, and political activity, including PAC-related strategy. She supports clients in both ongoing government affairs engagements and high-stakes matters requiring focused advocacy and coordination.

Amanda began her career in politics in 2013, working on statewide campaigns and later serving in the Governor's administration. Since 2018, she has represented both private- and public-sector clients before the Florida Legislature, Executive Branch, and state agencies. Her background includes serving as Vice President at a boutique Tallahassee lobbying firm and as a lobbyist for Florida's Department of Management Services, providing her with insight into government decision-making from multiple perspectives.

KATHERINE WEBB

(Florida)

Katie leads the firm's Lobbying and Governmental Consulting Division in Tallahassee. She represents businesses, insurers, and public entities before the Florida Legislature and Executive Branch on regulatory, legislative, and policy matters affecting the insurance industry.

15-20 years

Florida State University College of Law, J.D.

Florida State University Bachelor of Science

Katie works closely with state regulatory agencies and quasi-governmental entities, including Citizens Property Insurance Corporation, and serves as Florida legal counsel and lobbyist for national and state property and casualty insurance trade associations. Her practice focuses on strategic advocacy, regulatory engagement, and navigating complex insurance-related legislative initiatives at the state level.

When results matter, you want The Echols Group on your team.

20+ years

1) Top 40 Under 40 in Mississippi
2) Top 50 Businesswomen in Mississippi
3) Pollie Award Winner
4) Mississippi Human Trafficking Council: Policy & Legislative Subcommittee
5) EPA Fellow while working on doctorate degree

1) Mississippi Attorney General's Office
2) Mississippi Department of Public Safety
3) Public Employees Retirement System of Mississippi
4) Mississippi Gaming Commission

Doctoral work in public policy administration greatly enhances her ability to identify, define, and expand issues important to her clients. She was an EPA Fellow while completing her doctoral level course work. Echols develops a broad coalition of support, sometimes going
against conventional wisdom and status quo, to achieve a successful end result. She has a keen ability for trouble shooting an issue and predicting potential problems and anticipating their positive solutions. She has a proven ability to rapidly assess a situation, provide a workable plan of action, and develop pockets of support to achieve the desired outcome.

Remember... When results matter, you need The Echols Group!

Former NC House member for over a decade; former Appropriations Chairman; Health & Human Services Chairman, Extensive Health and Human Services experience

6-10 years

Jeffrey L. Barnhart joined McGuireWoods Consulting in October 2011 as a senior vice president of State Government Relations. He works out of the firm's Raleigh office assisting clients and helping the firm grow its national and multistate practice in the southeast.Representing Cabarrus County, Jeff served 11 years in the North Carolina General Assembly before relinquishing his seat in 2011. He was most recently co-chair of the House Appropriations Committee and was a strong healthcare proponent earning numerous recognitions from many organizations. Before his tenure as a House Representative, Jeff served as a Cabarrus County Commissioner for 10 years. He was also acting County Manager for Cabarrus for eight months and served on the county's Water & Service Authority (six years) and Economic Development Board of Directors (nine years).In addition to his strong local and state public sector experience, Jeff is a former small business owner who possesses significant private sector experience. He recently spent three years at the helm of a local healthcare center and also worked at IBM for 10 years in a number of different capacities from engineering to marketing to management. He is ranked the 13th Most Influential Lobbyist of the 2013 Legislative Session by the North Carolina Center for Public Policy Research in its annual survey of lobbyists, legislators and Capitol Press Corps members.Jeff served in the United States Air Force from 1978 to 1982 working in Communications Security.

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MONICA BILLGER

(Massachusetts)
  • 571-278-5535

  • 7636 Kingsbury RoadAlexandriaVA22315

MONICA BILLGER

(New York)
  • 7636 KINGSBURY RD.ALEXANDRIAVA22315

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  • (317) 713-3457

  • One Indiana Square, Suite 3500IndianapolisIN46204

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  • (317) 713-3457

  • One Indiana Square, Suite 3500IndianapolisIN46204

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GARRETT DOUGHERTY

(Indiana)

GARRETT DOUGHERTY

(Indiana)
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CHRISTOPHER "DOUGLAS" DUNSAVAGE

(Florida)
  • (214) 695-6351

  • 9330 Lookout Pt339DallasTX75231

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  • (317) 713-3519

  • One Indiana SquareIndianapolisIN46204

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  • (317) 713-3519

  • One Indiana SquareIndianapolisIN46204

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MOLLY MCGREW

(Oregon)

MATT PROKOP

(North Dakota)
  • (402) 826-7494

  • 5630 FALCON CIRLINCOLNNE68516-2064

MATT PROKOP

(Idaho)
  • 4028267494

  • 5630 Falcon CircleLincolnNE68516

MATT PROKOP

(Kansas)

MATT PROKOP

(Washington)

MATT PROKOP

(Alaska)

MATT PROKOP

(Montana)

MATTHEW PROKOP

(Oregon)

MATTHEW PROKOP

(New Hampshire)
  • (402) 826-7494

  • 5630 Falcon Circle5630 Falcon CircleLincolnNE68516

MATTHEW PROKOP

(Nebraska)
  • (402) 826-7494

  • 5630 Falcon CircleLincolnNE68516

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