11-15 years

Served as GOP State House Caucus Director in 2010
Served as Executive Director for the NC GOP in 2012

Scott Laster has been serving the clients of Kairos Government Affairs since 2013. Beyond his expertise in lobbying, he provides clients with an unprecedented understanding of political giving, polling and campaigns in North Carolina.Scott began his work in North Carolina as the House Campaign Director for the North Carolina Republican Party. Prior to Scott's arrival in the state in 2010, the House GOP caucus was in a state of perpetual minority, having held a majority for only four years in the state's history. As the Campaign Director, Scott led the caucus to a historic victory in 2010 that saw Republicans pick up 16 seats - and claim a 68-52 majority in the House for the second time in history. Following his groundbreaking success, Scott was chosen as Executive Director for the NCGOP to lead the charge for the 2012 elections. Following the 2012 elections, Republicans held a supermajority in both the House and Senate. Scott holds undergraduate degrees in Political Science and Economics from the University of South Florida and a graduate degree in Political Science with a focus on campaigns from the University of Florida. Scott is also a certified EMT and volunteers on a Search and Rescue Team. He and his wife, Kristen, live in Fuquay Varina with their two sons and daughter.

11-15 years

Betsy McCorkle has served the clients of Kairos Government Affairs since 2015. Beyond expertise in lobbying, she provides a unique understanding of the policy process with extensive experience navigating complex issues and diverse stakeholders.Before joining the firm, Betsy directed the government affairs work for the North Carolina Sustainable Energy Association, a non-profit membership organization, where she gained extensive experience in leading diverse coalitions of businesses and other non-profits toward legislative goals. Betsy also has experience in workforce development, economic development, agricultural policy, and has been responsible for policy analysis and communications for political campaigns across the southeastern United States.Betsy received a Master Degree in Environmental Management from Duke University, and she holds a Bachelor Degree in Environmental Economics from the University of Georgia (UGA),
where she graduated magna cum laude.

Betsy was recognized in 2020 for a 40 Under 40 Award by the Triangle Business Journal. Betsy was a 2013 Recipient of the UGA College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences Young Alumni Achievement Award and the 2012 Recipient of the J.W. Fanning Distinguished Young Professional Award. Betsy and her husband, Ben, live in Apex with their daughter.

20+ years

Co-Chair of the Judicial Nominating Commission
Serves on Executive Committee of Georgia Chamber
Transition Co-Chair for Governor Brian Kemp in 2018

Mark Middleton, a 1991 Graduate of the University of Georgia's School of Law, has focused his practice on governmental relations, agency procurement, legislative drafting, and regulatory law. He is a partner with Middleton Public Affairs, LLC ("MPA"), and the respected statewide law firm of Gilbert, Harrell, Sumerford & Martin, LLC.

As a former Hearing Officer at the Georgia Public Service Commission, and as the Georgia Department of Education Chief of Staff, Mark brings a broad range of experiences for the benefit of his clients.

Mark has also been politically active, primarily providing legal advice and policy direction to various campaigns and initiatives, including the successful campaign that created the City of Peachtree Corners. In the 2018 election cycle, Mark served as the Senior Policy Advisor and Transition Co-Chair to Republican Governor Brian P. Kemp.

He currently serves as the Co-Chair of the Judicial Nominating Commission.

20+ years

Michael started working in politics as a 17-year-old staffer in 1987 race for Governor. Since then, he has worked on campaigns in almost every role, spent time working on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC and did a short stint in state government for then Treasurer Tate Reeves. He entered the lobbying profession in 2004 at Baker Donelson before taking a ten-year detour working as a public finance banker at Bear Stearns and Raymond James. Partnering with Austin at the Clearwater Group in 2017, he returned to lobbying to get back to doing what he enjoys most, shaping public policy through the political, legislative and administrative processes.

Michael leads the firm's executive branch lobbying practice area with an emphasis on regulatory and procurement efforts. He is also deeply involved in strategic development for the firm's legislative practice area and political practice area.

0-5 years

As the firm's Director of Government Affairs and Policy, Hannah Weiss serves a wide range of clients in all areas of business including those in the healthcare, transportation, education and technology sectors.

She works to develop policy positions and legislative strategies for the benefit of our clients.

Hannah is a 2016 Summa Cum Laude graduate of the University of Georgia with a degree in Political Science and a minor in Spanish.

She served four sessions in the Georgia State Senate including three as the Policy Coordinator in the office of the President Pro Tempore.