6-10 years

Director of State Government Affairs, Comcast Cable Communications, Inc., 2007-2010

Vice President & Board of Directors, Mississippi Cable and Telecommunications Association, 2007-2010

President, Mississippi CablePAC, 2009-2010

Board of Directors, Louisiana Cable and Telecommunications Association, Baton Rouge, LA, 2010

Top 40 Under 40, Mississippi Business Journal, 2010

Leadership Mississippi, Class of 2010

Served as State Caucus Manager for the Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation (CSF) in Washington D.C., managing 18 states by communicating with state caucus leadership, attending in-state events and assisting with the crafting and passing of legislation.

Served as Government Affairs Assistant for Jeffrey J. Kimbell and Associates in Washington D.C.

Served as a Congressional Intern to U.S. Senator Thad Cochran.

11-15 years

Worked with clients, legislators, and executive branch to implement critical initiatives including the Mississippi Charter School Act of 2013, the Literacy Based Promotion Act, and the Healthcare Collaboration Act.

American Cancer Society, Best Dressed Jackson Honoree, 2021

American Council of Young Political Leaders, Delegate to Cambodia and Malaysia, 2019

Appointed by Governor Haley Barbour to serve on the Board of Commissioners for the Mississippi Commission for Volunteer Service.

Served as primary liaison between Department of Homeland Security and Governors, Advisors and staffs of five-state region. Coordinated media/press relations for office of Secretary Michael Chertoff.

Former intern for Office of Republican Whip (2007), United States Agency for International Development (2005) and White House Office of the First Lady (2004).

Caroline serves as a Senior Government Relations Advisor at Butler Snow LLP where she advocates for client interests covering a wide range of issues. She has successfully worked on the passage and implementation of new legislation creating further opportunities in the healthcare, education, transportation and financial industries. Additionally, she is experienced in state funding matters and has effectively represented multiple clients in efforts to secure state appropriations and bond funding.

Caroline has served on a number of boards and commissions including the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Mississippi Board of Directors, the Mississippi Campaign for Grade Level Reading Advisory Board, Mississippi Commission for Volunteer Service, University of Mississippi Young Alumni Board and as chair of the Fondren Renaissance Foundation Board. Caroline is a member of the American Council of Young Political Leaders and participated in their exchange program as a delegate to Cambodia and Malaysia in 2019.

She is also an active volunteer in the community spending time serving others through the Junior League of Jackson, Northminster Baptist Church, her children’s schools, and other community organizations.

Prior to joining Butler Snow, Caroline served in the Bush Administration as a State and Local Coordinator and an Assistant Press Secretary at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. She has held several internships including for Office of Republican Whip, the United States Agency for International Development and the White House Office of the First Lady. Caroline graduated summa cum laude from the University of Mississippi with a B.A. in International Studies and Spanish. During college she was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa and was a member of the Sally McDonell Barksdale Honors College and the Croft Institute for International Studies.

20+ years

Designated by peers as one of the most effective lobbyists in North Carolina

Recipient of the Order of the Long Leaf Pine

Recognized in Best Lawyers in America in the area of government
relations practice, and as Lawyer of the Year in government relations practice in Raleigh

Selected by the American Registry as the top 1% of America's Most Honored Lawyers for 2020

To be provided upon specific request

Former North Carolina State Senator Alexander "Sandy" Sands is the leader of the firm's Public Policy and Governmental Affairs Group in Raleigh. He is a Registered Lobbyist. He represents businesses and individuals who have matters before both the legislative and executive branches of government in North Carolina. He's proven himself to be quite effective. When the North Carolina Center for Public Policy surveyed members of the General Assembly and lobbyists in 2009, researchers found Sands to be the 3rd most influential lobbyist in the Tarheel state.

Sandy has used his many years as a litigator in state and federal trial and appellate courts to develop his advocacy skills, which he now uses effectively for his clients in his lobbying and administrative law practice. He served as a North Carolina State Senator from 1986 until 1994. During that service he rose to the position of Chairman of the Committee on Rules and Operations of the Senate.

Regularly engaged in the highest-level budget and policy negotiations from within the innermost circles of Massachusetts state government

Worked closely with then-Chairman DeLeo to pass four state budgets, multiple bond bills and major pieces of legislation including health care reform and clean energy initiatives.

Responsible for shaping the House legislative agenda, overseeing its execution and strategically advising the Speaker through high-stakes negotiations

Works closely with all parties including the Senate President and Governor, majority and minority legislative leadership, chairs and cabinet officials.

Policy Advisor at Preti Strategies

Chief of Staff and Chief Policy Advisor to Speaker of the Massachusetts House of Representatives.

Chief of Staff and Press Secretary to House Committee on Ways and Means

Chief of Staff and Press Secretary to House Committee on Bills in the Third Reading

Education:

Suffolk Law School
Hamilton College
Belmont Hill
The Fessenden School

Ross Barnhardt's years of experience allow him to offer clients a superior understanding of State Government and help them navigate legislative and executive agency solutions to their particular goals. After graduating from North Carolina State University with a degree in political science, Ross spent several years working in the North Carolina Senate. Working for a Senior Appropriations Chairman, Ross has assisted businesses both big and small to secure State funding and desired legislative outcomes. Ross was a lead staffer in Senate leadership for the State Budget process, regulatory reform, economic development, tort reform, and agriculture policy.

Ross has helped clients meet their goals through lobbying for legislative action at the General Assembly, building legislative strategies and coalitions, and interacting with executive agencies. He has the skills and relationships to present his clients, their needs, and their messaging in front of the correct decision makers. Ross has represented clients involved in the areas of economic development, healthcare, technology, engineering, transportation, education, public safety, finance, local government, entertainment, agriculture, food and beverage, and broad industry associations.

When Ross is not at the legislature, he enjoys saltwater fishing, weight lifting, and home improvement projects.

Helped lead $1.7B agency including management, budget, technology, procurement and legislative affairs at MBTA

Led multiple technology upgrades at MBTA that resulted in a significant leap forward innovation at the agency, also became very proficient in state procurement processes and rules

Helped develop and coordinate strategy to consolidate functions of six transportation departments as Legislative Director at MassDOT

Routinely worked with staff and vendors on hundreds of millions of dollars in road and bridge projects annually

Responsible for writing and tracking all legislation and budget matters for Asst. Minority Leader

Policy Advisor at Preti Strategies

Chief of Staff, Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority

Legislative Director, MassDOT

Chief of Staff, Massachusetts Highway Department

Chief of Staff and Legislative Director, Assistant Minority Leader, Massachusetts Senate


Education:

University of Massachusetts

6-10 years

Governor Tate Reeves Inaugural Committee, Co-Chair, 2020

Director of Administration and Policy Advisor, Office of Lt. Governor Tate Reeves, State of Mississippi, 2011-2012

Director of College Savings Mississippi, Office of State Treasurer Tate Reeves, State of Mississippi, 2009-2011

Director of Public Affairs, Office of Governor Haley Barbour, State of Mississippi, 2005

Deputy Press Secretary, Office of Governor Haley Barbour, State of Mississippi, 2004

Barbour for Governor Campaign, 2003

Interim administrator of the Mississippi Charter School Authorizer Board.

Senior advisor to Lt. Governor on major policy issues including: education reform legislation that changed the state's rating system to an A-F scale, administrative consolidation of low- performing school districts, universal screenings and school choice scholarships for dyslexic students, and advocated for the Lt. Governor's charter school position. Managed Lt. Governor's appointments to various boards and commissions.

Oversaw the College Savings Division of the State Treasury and served as the primary media contact for the agency. Managed the state's 529 Records Administrators – MPACT and MACS.

Spokesperson and media contact for Governor's Office during Hurricane Katrina and coordinated numerous press conferences and special events on behalf of the Governor's Office.

Conducted national public relations campaigns on behalf of consumer health clients at an international public relations firm in New York City

0-5 years

In the NH Senate, engaged in policy negotiations with the Legislature, Governor, and Administrative Departments

Worked with Senate majority leadership to set and refine a legislative agenda

Served on several influential Senate committees including Health and Humans Services, Ways and
Means, Transportation, and Education.

Played an integral role in passing numerous bipartisan bills related to health, education, and transportation.

As a leader in healthcare, influenced statewide legislative and policy development.

Policy Advisor at Preti Strategies

Healthcare Consultant, CompassWise Consulting

Accreditation and Medicare Site Visitor, CHAP

President and CEO, Home Health and Hospice Care, Merrimack NH


Education:
Boston University, BS MS

Tanner Polce served as both the Chief of Staff (2023-2024) and Chief Advancement Officer (2020-2023) at the Brandywine Valley SPCA, the first tristate animal welfare organization in the nation. During his tenure, Tanner was responsible for revenue and fund development, external affairs, and strategies that support the organization's $20+ million in annual revenues. Tanner was also instrumental in the acquisitions strategies that brought the Human Society of Harrisburg Area (PA), the Animal Adoption Center (NJ), and most recently the Humane Society of Washington, DC into the BVSPCA management portfolio.

Prior, Tanner served years in numerous roles for the State of Delaware and as a Councilmember in the City of Dover. Tanner was senior staff in the Office of the Lt. Governor from 2016-2020. Prior to the role of Policy Director for the Office, he served as Legislative Aide to Senator David Sokola and then-Senator Hall-Long. In 2017, Tanner was elected to Dover City Council and served a term before electing to not seek re-election. His deep understanding of relationship management, policy and strategy has been instrumental in his past roles and in ensuring strategic growth, greater connections and key objectives are met.

Tanner holds a B.A. in Political Science and a Master of Business Administration. Tanner and his wife, Shelby, live in Felton with their four dogs- Brutus, Allen, Marty and Charlotte. In their spare time, they are often planning their next travel adventure, watching their favorite soccer teams, or pitching in amongst a number of community service projects.

20+ years

Former Nebraska State Senator
Served as:
Chairman of Judiciary Committee
Vice-Chairman of the Executive Board
Served on the following committees:
Banking, Commerce and Insurance
Government, Military and Veterans Affairs
Business and Labor
Agriculture

John joined the O'Hara Lindsay in 1997 and became president in 2008 when Paul O'Hara retired.

Prior to becoming a lobbyist, John served as a Nebraska state senator for two terms representing Omaha's 9th legislative district. While there, his colleagues chose him to chair the Judiciary Committee and before that Vice-Chair of the Executive Board.

He practiced law in Omaha for 13 years, starting out with his father and older brother. John clerked for the Honorable John Grant at the Nebraska Supreme Court for a year after law school.

John was born and raised in Omaha. John and his wife, Mary Beth, are the parents of four boys, John, Patrick, Bobby and David. John, a big fan of Little League baseball, coached for a number of years. John's great-grandfather, John B. Furay, was a member of Nebraska's first legislature in 1869. That may explain why it seems that John has politics in his blood!

0-5 years

Interceded on behalf of a client with a state agency to resolve compliance matters, working directly with the agency commissioner. In the next budget, successfully appealed the agency's insufficient 5% proposed daily rate increase for the provided services, which resulted in an increase of 37%.

Blocked a state agency's efforts to prevent a client's association members from continuing to conduct business in New Hampshire.

Opened up new opportunities for a renewable energy client by shepherding a bill we created for them through the legislative process to the governor's desk for signature.

As Senate president, I guided policy discussions and negotiations on all major policy issues, including renewable energy, insurance, business regulation and retirement system reform.

Led Senate efforts on budgets for four fiscal years, one of which erased a projected $800 million budget deficit without raising taxes or fees.

Led the Senate Republican Caucus to create policy agendas and then developed effective strategy and tactics that resulted in successful implementation of that agenda, even with a governor of the opposing party.

Senior Policy Advisor at Preti Strategies

Legislative:
President, NH State Senate
Minority Leader, NH State Senate
State Senator - Committee Assignments Included: Commerce; Education (Chair); Energy and Natural Resources; Finance; Health and Human Services; Internal Affairs
Clerk, House Election Law Committee

Business:
Executive Director, HealthTrust (health insurance and public employee benefits risk pool, covering over 70,000 lives)
President and co-Founder, Achieve! Technology (an Inc. 500 company developing regulatory compliance software)


Education:
UMass-Lowell, BS Computer Science

ROBERT BYRD. When the confusion, the divide and the intricacies are at their worst, if anyone can be counted upon to pick his way through, it is Bob. One of Bob's most memorable legislative achievements was the legalization of slot machines at the state's racetracks.

Bob can provide expert advice on legislation, government contracts, regulatory review, local government matters and congressional action and see it through by getting to the right people at the right time with the right touch. Bob has the background to work with everyone, from his days as a state representative with a blue-collar constituency to his time as the vice president and chief lobbyist of the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce.

His leadership talents were recognized by his fellow legislators, who elected him the majority whip in the Delaware House of Representatives, and by Governor Ruth Ann Minner, who appointed him as the chair of the Delaware Economic & Financial Advisory Council, the panel responsible for the revenue projections that have kept the state's multi-billion-dollar budget balanced year after year. Bob's list of clients in Delaware in unequaled. It includes Aetna, Anheuser-Busch, Dover Downs Hotel & Casino, the Maritime Exchange for the Delaware River & Bay, and the Medical Society of Delaware.

KIM GOMES became a lobbyist in her own unique way. She did not get here through politics or law or a cause. Her earliest interests had nothing to do with lobbying. She was a gymnast and a competitor in ballroom dancing. That led to a degree from the University of Delaware in fitness management, and that led to a position at the University of Delaware as the coordinator in charge of the fitness class program on the campus. From there, it was on to work at an insurance office and brokerage firm, except Kim was looking for a new direction, and she thought lobbying would be fun.

Of course she did. She had a taste for the unexpected. She had the slow heartbeat that comes from winning competitiveness. She had a practical foundation of business, organizational and management experience.

Kim added in an academic component by earning a Masters in Public Administration from the University of Delaware. One of the faculty members was Ed Freel, formerly the Delaware secretary of state, and he connected her with Bob Byrd. It clicked, and Kim joined the firm.

Kim's background has been a fine fit, even her ballroom dancing. She paired with Tom Cook, who was the Delaware secretary of finance, for a charity "Dancing with the Stars" event, where they were judged the best dancers. See? Kim was right all along that lobbying could be fun.

11-15 years

Member of the Delaware Bar Association
Member of the Maryland Bar Association

REBECCA BYRD knows government, policy and politics with the inside knowledge that comes from broad experience with all three branches of government, and she combines it with the perspective of a lawyer. She can draft legislation. She can lobby for it. She can decipher federal and state regulations.

There was a method to Rebecca's decision not to specialize in just anything. With the breadth of her background, she is ready for everything. Rebecca is a third-generation practitioner. Her grandmother was an aide to Gov. Sherman W. Tribbitt, her father is Bob Byrd, and here she is to carry on the family tradition. Rebecca was the deputy legal counsel to Governor Ruth Ann Minner and a deputy attorney general in the state Justice Department under Attorney General Beau Biden. She also clerked on the Delaware Supreme Court for Justices Carolyn Berger, Jack Jacobs and Henry duPont Ridgely and served as a liaison for the court to the General Assembly.

She is the author of articles on Delaware's Coastal Zone Act (Delaware Chamber of Commerce, 2016) and a co-author of "50 State Survey: The Law of Eminent Domain"" (American Bar Association, 2012). Rebecca is a member of the Delaware State Bar Association and the American Bar Association, where she is a member of the Business Law Section and its Government Affairs Committee. She is a graduate of the George Washington University and the Catholic University of America School of Law.