0-5 years

2022- Top Rising Star Accolade from James Magazine

Holli Gibbs is a consultant of the Government Relations Practice of Freeman Mathis Decisions. A strategic planner with strong communication skills, Ms. Gibbs understands how to strategically analyze and present critical information for clients looking for a rapid response.

Ms. Gibbs has extensive knowledge of the legislative process and strong working relationships with legislative leaders. She has experience crafting legislative and policy matters, communicating the needs of her clients, working with clients to identify problems and come up with solutions, and responding to crisis.

Prior to joining Freeman Mathis Decisions, Ms. Gibbs served as the Director of Constituent Services for the Office of Speaker David Ralston in the Georgia House of Representatives. In this role, she gained first-hand experience serving as a liaison between local, state and federal agencies and local officials to ensure the needs of local communities were being served.

Ms. Gibbs has also served as Deputy Messenger, House Rural Development Council Coordinator and House Social Media and Photography Coordinator. Additionally, she served on the Committee to Develop and Implement Covid-19 Protocols and the Legislative Biennial Planning Committee.

15-20 years

Penn Lincoln Strategies has fostered many relationships with members of the Connecticut legislature, General Assembly staffers, the Office of the Governor, the Office of the Attorney General, the Secretary of State and agency heads.

Chris, as the Founder and CEO of Penn Lincoln Strategies, LLC (PLS), oversees government relations and strategic communications for his firms' multitude of clients. PLS specializes in providing its clients with streamlined and precise consultation for all of their public affairs and advocacy needs. The firm advises client interests before state legislatures around the country, specializing primarily in the Connecticut legislature while, for some clients, managing their day-to-day association operations and providing strategic communications counsel on how to manage press inquiries and crisis communications/public relations.

PLS, established by Chris in 2016, is a full service firm that is proud of the commitment and professionalism it provides its clients.

Before PLS' founding, Chris worked as the Director of Government Relations for Connecticut based company, TicketNetwork, overseeing and managing the company's government relations for all 50 states and the federal government. In concert with the company's legal department and C-Suite, Chris oversaw a robust consultation and travel budget while managing a network of nearly two dozen national government relations and public relations consultants and professionals.

Prior to joining TicketNetwork in 2015, Chris spent over twelve years with the government relations firm Tobin, Carberry, O'Malley, Riley and Salinger (TCORS) a Hartford, CT based firm that specializes in association management and government relations. In the role of Principal, Chris led daily legislative management for dozens of clients on wide ranging issues from environmental regulation to state budgetary issues, gambling issues to freedom of press matters before the Connecticut State Legislature.

Chris got his start in the political field nearly twenty years ago as a political and campaign consultant on numerous successful local and statewide races in Connecticut.

Chris has a B.S. in Political Science from Ohio Dominican University and currently lives in West Hartford, CT with his wife, Maureen, their son Jake and the family dog, Ripken. Chris is an avid Ohio State Buckeyes fan and believes that Die Hard is absolutely a Christmas movie.

0-5 years

Named 2024 #1 Top Rising Star Lobbyist by James Magazine.

4 years managing legislative affairs and media relations for Georgia Insurance Commissioner John F. King. 2 years working in legislative affairs for former Georgia State School Superintendent John Barge.

With over a decade in government affairs, communications, public relations, and political consulting, Weston Burleson brings a wide range of experience to best help the firm's clients reach their goals. Mr. Burleson has been involved in seven Georgia legislative sessions across two different state agencies. He has a detailed knowledge of the legislative process and strong relationships with leaders in both chambers. Prior to joining Freeman Mathis Decisions, Mr. Burleson most recently served as Director of Communications and Legislative Affairs for Georgia Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner John F. King's office. In that role, he oversaw the agency's legislative agenda, including work on significant tort reform legislation, and managed all external facing communications and media relations. Mr. Burleson previously worked for a Nashville, Tennessee-based public relations firm where he was involved in state and federal legislative efforts. Additionally, he spent several years working for North Carolina House Leadership, both in an official capacity and on the campaign side.

20+ years

Jason Webb's often heard motto is "You must educate before you can advocate." He believes that policy makers are invariably dependent on concise and accurate information. While the introduction of those conversations is the foundation for advocacy, it's the ongoing discussion and exchange of ideas that tend to build success in the long run.

"If you can reduce complicated matters down to their core principles, then individuals will usually have a better chance of understanding them. Greater comprehension brings with it the likelihood that people will consider different perspectives on an issue. By increasing diverse viewpoints, we can collectively solve complex problems," he says.

For over two decades, Webb has worked in government relations, serving a diverse range of clients that include Fortune 500 companies, trade associations and non-profit corporations. His proficiency includes economic development, environment, finance, healthcare, insurance, natural resources, professional licensure, taxes and technology.

The son of a coal miner, Webb understands the adage that there is no substitute for hard work. He worked his way through college, completed internships at Merrill Lynch and a trading firm on the Chicago Board Options Exchange and worked with the Senior PGA Tour.

Webb received his Bachelor in Business Administration in finance and political science from the Gatton College of Business and Economics at the University of Kentucky.

6-10 years

Gavin's engaging personality, dogged determination, and sincere interest in people have enabled him to develop meaningful relationships with legislators, support staff, other lobbyists, and government officials. These are the traits you want in a political affairs consultant.

Born and raised in Colwich, a rural Kansas community, he always knew he wanted to work for the betterment of his state and country. His political engagement began at age fourteen when he volunteered for two city council campaigns in nearby Wichita. Many campaigns later and after receiving a degree from Pittsburg State University, interning with Congresswoman Lynn Jenkins, and working for the Hein Law Firm, Gavin established his own political affairs business.

His clients respect him for his tireless dedication to their issues and value his reputation as an honest, likable, committed, and savvy political consultant.

These are the traits you want in a political affairs consultant and are what make Kreidler Consulting the best choice for your legislative interests.

15-20 years

Penn Lincoln Strategies has fostered many relationships with members of the Connecticut legislature, General Assembly staffers, the Office of the Governor, the Office of the Attorney General, the Secretary of State and agency heads.

Liam's background involves a wide range of experience in government relations, public service, and politics. Liam has worked on both national and statewide campaigns, and lobbied on the local, state and national levels.

Prior to joining Penn Lincoln Strategies, LLC in 2017, Liam served as the Director of Government Relations and Political Affairs at ConnCAN, the state's largest education advocacy organization. In that role, Liam coordinated and directed ConnCAN's diverse legislative agenda at the federal, state and local levels. Additionally, Liam worked in tandem with the organization's leadership and various coalitions to develop strategies that improved educational outcomes for Connecticut students.

Before Liam joined ConnCAN, Liam worked for former U.S. Senator Christopher J. Dodd in his district legislative office and Presidential campaign in Iowa and New Hampshire. Liam also supported the Connecticut Senate President Pro Tempore's office where he monitored the Majority's legislative proposals and worked on several key legislative campaigns. Additionally, Liam has worked with a wide range of clients from nonprofit organizations to major utility companies and has had several legislative victories ranging from helping pass the State's nationally recognized Minority Teacher Recruitment legislation, authorizing Electric Bikes in Connecticut and establishing the State's Hemp program.

Liam is a member of the Town Council in West Hartford. Liam is also a founding board member of Active City, a Hartford based non-profit group centered around getting 600+ kids in the area active in youth sports. Liam lives in West Hartford with his wife, Whitney and their children Rory and Claire.

Chris joined the firm in November of 2000 after serving seven years in Florida government. During this time, Chris served as the Assistant to the Chief of Staff and the Deputy Chief of Staff to former Florida Governor Jeb Bush. Prior to serving in Governor Bush's administration, Chris served as the Deputy Chief of Staff, Deputy Legislative Director, and Special Assistant to former Florida Education Commissioner and former Florida Lt. Governor Frank T. Brogan. Chris also served as a legislative aide in the Florida House of Representatives. Throughout the years, Chris has worked on various state and local campaigns, including the 1998 and 2002 Bush/Brogan gubernatorial campaigns.

A devoted community activist, Chris was a finalist for Volunteer of the Year in 2007. Chris has served on the Board of Directors for the Mary Brogan Museum of Art and Science, where he served for two years as Chairman, the Board of Directors for the United Way of the Big Bend, and the Board of Directors for the Greater Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce. Chris is currently the Chairman of the Florida Network of Youth and Family Services, a not-for-profit statewide association representing agencies which serve homeless, runaway, and troubled youth. Chris also serves on the local advisory board for Hancock Bank and is a member of the Board of Trustees for the Maclay School. Chris was recently appointed by Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum to the Tallahassee Downtown Improvement Authority, an entity created by the Florida Legislature to promote the business and hospitality interests of downtown Tallahassee.

A native of Fort Myers, Florida, Chris Dudley graduated from the University of South Florida in 1993 with a Bachelor's degree in Political Science. Chris, his wife Susanne, and their two sons live in Tallahassee.

11-15 years

20+ years

Phi Beta Kappa graduate, University of North Carolina

James Magazine lobbyist Hall of Fame

Georgia State Bar highest award for public service

Legislator of the year award for ACGG

State Senate Minority Leader

Chairman of Georgia GOP

20+ years

Mr. Paris served as the U.S. Manager of State Government Affairs and Policy for General Electric Company ("GE"). Mr. Paris oversaw all aspects of GE's state government affairs function, including budgeting, contributions, political and business association memberships, retained political counsel and policy issue prioritization, during his seventeen-year career with GE.

Prior to joining GE, Mr. Paris was a fourteen-year employee of The Coca-Cola Company. During his tenure, he held various management roles in the public affairs arena, first overseeing state government relations for the U.S. As Manager of Shareowner Affairs, he managed relationships with all institutional shareowners concerning corporate governance, social responsibility policy and other proxy matters. Mr. Paris was also responsible for Issues Communications for government relations, environmental, science and regulatory, and technical functions of the Company as Manager of Global Communications. He also served as a primary media relations spokesman on select public affairs issues, providing communication support to senior management and external affairs managers worldwide.

Mr. Paris serves on the Board of Directors of the Georgia Chamber of Commerce, the Cobb Chamber of Commerce, Select Cobb, and the Advisory Board of the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce. He has recently served in a similar role with Florida, North Carolina and South Carolina Chambers and Manufacturing Associations.

Mr. Paris is a trustee of the University of Georgia Foundation, the Richard B. Russell Foundation, and the Carter Center Board of Councilors.

Education:
University of Georgia, MBA, Finance, 1985

University of Georgia, BA, Finance, 1984

6-10 years

Our team was named the James Magazine Top Ranked Lobbying Firm in multiple years.

Perennial Top 5 Lobbying Firms since 2018

6-10 years

United States Naval Academy Board of Visitors; Presidential appointee
Atlanta Transit Link Board of Directors 7 years
Rules Chair Ga House of Representatives 2005-2011
ALEC National Chairman 2005

Earl Ehrhart is a Managing Director of Freeman Mathis Decisions, the Government Relations team within Freeman Mathis & Gary, LLP. In his role, Mr. Ehrhart has responsibility for the overall direction and strategic success of Freeman Mathis Decisions. Mr. Ehrhart brings the public policy experience and the problem solving capacity needed at the nexus of business and government.

As a retired elected official for the State of Georgia, Mr. Ehrhart brings a wealth of experience necessary to assist his clients. Mr. Ehrhart was elected to the Georgia House of Representatives in 1988, and served as one of the State's longest serving elected officials. During his thirty-year tenure as a state representative, he served eight years as the Minority Whip and six years as the Rules Committee Chairman. Mr. Ehrhart served as Chairman of Higher Education Appropriations, a role he held for 7 years. He was elected as the National Chairman of American Legislative Exchange Council in 2005. He served as a board member for more than 20 years and as its chairman and member of executive committee for over 5 years. Mr. Ehrhart's political efforts have received national media recognition in The Economist, the New York Times, CNN and The Fox News Channel.

In addition, Mr. Ehrhart has led organizations in both the public and private sectors. He began his career as a young entrepreneur. At age 21, he co-founded, The Marble Craftsman, a marble and granite subcontracting company, which he grew from a backyard business to more than $2 million in revenue when he sold the company in 1995.

He then went on and was an Executive Vice President of Facility Group, an international design and construction company where he served as the company's Chief Strategist, developing and implementing company-wide strategic growth initiatives in five vertical sectors: Food & Beverage, Education, Municipal, Hospitality & Entertainment and Retail Distribution. Facility grew from six employees and $25M in revenue to more than 500 employees and more than $600M in revenue.
In 2003 Mr. Ehrhart was the original organizing director and vice chair of the board of one of the most successful startup community banks in Georgia history. He supervised all aspects of this very successful financial endeavor. In 2006, Georgian Bank was sold for a premium to an investor group who eventually grew the platform to more than $2.1B in assets.

Mr. Ehrhart served as CEO of LakePoint Sports Development Group and Managing Partner of Sports Parks of Georgia, LLC. Mr. Ehrhart and his partners drew on his diverse background and experience in business, politics and youth sports to develop, grow, manage and operate America's Premier Sports Vacation Destination.

Brian Bautista advocates on behalf of his clients before the legislative and executive branches of Florida government and has experience acting as statewide spokesman and point of contact for clients. Brian has resided in Florida's capital city for over a decade, and his work spans the gambit from local initiatives to a statewide Senate campaign.

Brian received both a bachelor's degree in political science and a law degree from Florida State University. Brian uses his legal expertise and political acumen to successfully represent clients on some of the highest profile issues in Florida, in the technology, education, healthcare, and energy industries.

Brian has been named one of Florida's 30 Under 30 by Florida Politics and a NextGeneration Rising Star by Influence Magazine