305-490-3414
9155 S. Dadeland Blvd, Suite 1604, Miami, FL, 33156, 
Subjects: All Subjects, Alcohol, Animals/Agriculture, Appropriations/Budgets, Ballot Measures/Campaign Finance/Elections, Business/Commerce, Cannabis/Drug Legalization, Children/Family/Women, City/County Government, Consumer Protection, Education, Energy/Utilities, Environment/Recycling, Finance/Banking, Food/Restaurants, Gaming, Housing/Real Estate/Development/Construction, Pharmaceuticals, Planning/Land Use/Zoning, Privacy/Internet, Professional/Vocational Licensing, Public Safety, Public Sector, Retail, RFP/Procurement, Taxes, Tobacco, Tourism/Hospitality, Transportation/Vehicles
Links:Website
What distinguishes The Southern Group from others is where we draw our lobbyists from. Our lobbyists are almost all exclusively former government regulators, legislators or high-level government staff. We know what moves the wheels of government because, at one point in our careers, we moved those wheels ourselves.
2) Altria Client Services LLC and its Affiliates
3) Apple Inc
4) Beer Industry of Florida, Inc
7) Caesars Enterprise Services, LLC
11) Florida Blue
12) Florida Court Clerks and Comptrollers
13) Florida Petroleum Marketers Association, Inc.
14) Florida Sheriffs Association
16) Habitat for Humanity of Key West and Lower FL Keys, Inc.
17) Habitat for Humanity of the Middle Keys, Inc.
23) Miami-Dade County Clerk of the Courts
24) Monroe County Sheriff's Office
25) NASCAR, LLC
26) Ocean Reef Club
27) Pearl Holding Group (Ocean Harbor)
28) Sunshine Gasoline Distributors, Inc
33) University of Florida Foundation, Inc.
34) Vestcor Companies, Inc., The
35) Washington Center for Internships and Academic Seminars
15-20 years
National Children's Alliance, Bud Cramer Award
Florida Bar, Family Law Section, Legislative Achievement
Kristi House Service, Former President Service Award
SSG has won numerous fundraising awards and recognitions
Managing Partner, Miami office, The Southern Group
Chairman, Republican Party of Miami-Dade County
Executive Board, Republican Party of Florida
Nelson D. Diaz concentrates his practice on government and community relations. Nelson has successfully represented local governments, businesses, trade associations and other corporate clients before the Florida legislative and executive branches of government. Nelson has become one of Florida's young rising stars since serving as Chief Legislative Aide to the Former Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives, and now United States Senator, Marco Rubio.
In addition, Nelson has successfully represented corporate entities before the Miami-Dade County Board of County Commissioners, numerous Miami-Dade County agencies and departments, the City of Miami, the City of Hialeah, and several other municipal governments and authorities in Miami-Dade County. In addition to government relations, Nelson has successfully guided many corporate clients entering the South Florida market, providing community relations services. By advising new entrants to the market on who the key players are, which organizations to join, and how to navigate the local political waters, Nelson has assisted many clients successfully enter the South Florida and Miami markets.
Nelson began his political career as a volunteer in the 1996 Presidential campaign in Florida where he and many other young leaders, including now U.S. Senator Marco Rubio, State Senator Anitere Flores, Lt. Governor Carlos Lopez-Cantera, and many other now-elected officials, worked hard to build a strong Republican Party base in South Florida. Since then, Nelson has worked on countless political campaigns in Florida from federal races for Presidential and U.S. Senate, to state races for Governor, Cabinet offices, Florida House of Representatives, and Florida Senate, as well as many local government campaigns for county commission, city councils, and mayor's races. Nelson has also been active in various business and civic organizations locally, and counts many legislators, party officials, and legislative leaders among his personal friends. As a result of Nelson's service with U.S. Senator Rubio and his involvement in many campaigns, Nelson has established an extensive network of key contacts in Miami-Dade County and within the Florida Legislature. In fact, Nelson currently serves as the Chairman of the Republican Party of Miami-Dade County and serves on the executive board of the Republican Party of Florida.
Active in the local community, Nelson served on the City of Miami's Historical and Environmental Preservation Board, protecting the city's historical and environmental treasures, as well as the Miami-Dade County Community Council of West Kendall, a local land use and zoning board. Additionally, Nelson serves as the Immediate Past President of the Board of Directors for Kristi House, Miami-Dade County's child advocacy center for child victims of sexual abuse and human trafficking as well as the Board of Directors of the Good Government Initiative, a bi-partisan organization dedicated to cultivating leaders of excellence in South Florida. Recently, Florida Governor Rick Scott appointed Nelson to the statewide Children and Youth Cabinet for his service and advocacy on behalf of Florida's children.
Nelson attended Florida International University, where he earned his Bachelor's degree in International Relations, with a Certificate in Latin American and Caribbean Studies, as well as minors in Political Science and Geography. Nelson graduated from the University of Florida, College of Law, cum laude, and was admitted to the Florida Bar in 2004.
1) Advantage Behavioral Health Services
3) Altria Client Services LLC and its Affiliates
5) American Property Casualty Insurance Association
7) Apple Inc
8) Aramark Correctional Services, LLC
10) Beer Industry of Florida, Inc
12) Clay County Board of County Commissioners
13) Copart, Inc
15) Estuary LLC.
16) Fidelity National Financial, Inc
17) Florida Blue
18) Florida Keys Aqueduct Authority
19) Florida Pulp & Paper Association
20) Florida Sheriffs Association
22) Friends of Florida Iron & Steel
24) Gulfstream Natural Gas System, LLC
25) I.M. Sulzbacher Center for the Homeless, Inc
26) Indigov
29) Key West International Airport
30) Koch Companies Public Sector, LLC and Affiliates
31) LEO Technologies
33) Metro Development Group, LLC
36) Putnam County
37) Raydient LLC
38) Rayonier, Inc
39) Sabal Trail Transmission, LLC
40) SCI Funeral Services of Florida, Inc
41) SMG Drones, LLC dba DARIUS
42) South Central Florida Express, Inc
45) The Arc of Putnam County, Inc.
48) Two Roads Development, LLC
49) United States Sugar Corporation
50) University of North Florida
A leader within Florida's government relations arena, Mercer Fearington, Jr. has been representing clients before the executive and legislative branches of Florida government since the mid-1990's. Mercer is the past Chairman of the Florida Agricultural Coalition and is a graduate of the Wedgworth Leadership Institute for Agriculture -- an affiliate of the Institute of Food and Agriculture and Sciences at the University of Florida. Mercer is a graduate of Mercer University.
Mercer lives in Tallahassee with his wife, Lindsey, and their three daughters.
(850) 671-4401
123 S. Adams Street, Tallahassee, FL, 32301, 
Subjects: All Subjects
Links:Website
1) 3M COMPANY AND ITS AFFILIATES
4) AON BENFIELD
5) APPLE INC
6) ATTENTI
9) CONCORDIA CARE DBA CONCORDIA BEHAVIORAL HEALTH
10) CVS HEALTH
11) EGIS INSURANCE AND RISK ADVISORS
12) EXAMWORKS
13) FAMILY FIRST ADOLESCENT SERVICES
14) FIDELITY NATIONAL FINANCIAL, INC
15) FLORIDA ARGENTUM
16) FLORIDA BIRTH-RELATED NEUROLOGICAL INJURY COMPENSATION ASSOCIATION
17) FLORIDA BLUE
Monte Stevens joins Southern Strategy Group after serving more than a decade in Florida government. After serving in the Legislative Affairs office of the Agency for Health Care Administration and the Department of Financial Services, Monte joined the Office of Insurance Regulation (OIR) in 2008 where he led OIR's legislative and executive lobbying effort as Deputy Chief of Staff.
While at OIR, Monte was instrumental in the passage of legislation relating to all sectors of the insurance industry including landmark reforms to personal injury protection and homeowner's insurance. Most recently, Monte oversaw the passage and implementation of the NAIC model holding company act and principle based reserving for life insurers. Knowledgeable in all lines of insurance, Monte was frequently called upon to testify and present to legislative committees on a variety of subjects.
In addition to lobbying the Legislature, Monte also served as OIR's representative to the Governor and Cabinet in the rule making process. In this capacity, Monte led the effort to implement the country's first ever regulatory initiative on collateral requirements for reinsurers.
Monte also served as Director of Government Affairs and Public Policy for the Florida Medical Association where he was involved in the passage of significant medical malpractice reform. A native of Niceville, Florida, Monte was a member of two national champion debate teams at the University of Missouri-Kansas City before graduating with a degree in political science. Prior to returning to Florida, Monte attended graduate school, taught public speaking, and coached the debate teams at Kansas State University and Harvard University.
Monte and his wife Jodi live in Tallahassee.
(850) 671-4401
Po Box 10570, Tallahassee, FL, 32302-2570, 
Subjects: All Subjects
Links:Website
1) Airbnb, Inc.
3) Altria Client Services LLC and its Affiliates
4) American Property Casualty Insurance Association
6) Apple Inc
7) Association of Florida Colleges, Inc
9) AtkinsRealis
11) Beep, Inc.
13) Breakthru Beverage Florida
16) Cengage
17) City of Orlando
19) Copart, Inc
21) CVS Health
22) Darden, Inc.
24) Early Learning Coalition of Palm Beach County
25) EcoLandCo, LLC
29) Fidelity National Financial, Inc
30) Flagler College
31) Florida Birth-Related Neurological Injury Compensation Association
32) Florida Blue
33) Florida Keys Aqueduct Authority
34) Florida Prepaid College Foundation, Inc
37) Florida State Alliance of YMCA
38) Florida State College at Jacksonville Foundation
39) Florida Trucking Association
40) Friends of Florida Iron & Steel
41) G.L. Homes of Florida Corporation
42) Gopher Resource
45) International Business Machines Corporation (IBM)
46) Jack and Nancy Dwyer Workforce Development Center, Inc.
49) Lake Nona Property Holdings, LLC
51) Museum of Science & History
52) NASCAR, LLC
55) Pearl Holding Group (Ocean Harbor)
57) RedSpeed USA
59) Smart Horizons Career Online Education
60) Tall Timbers Research, Inc.
62) TECO Energy, Inc
63) Tenet Healthcare Corporation
64) Tesla, Inc.
67) University of Florida Foundation, Inc.
68) Vestcor Companies, Inc., The
69) Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, U.S.
70) Wells Fargo
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.
(850) 671-4401
Po Box 10570, Tallahassee, FL, 32302-2570, 
1) Advantage Behavioral Health Services
3) Aon Benfield
4) Apple Inc
12) Easterseals Northeast Central Florida
13) Emergent BioSolutions, Inc.
14) Encompass Health Corporation
16) Florida Blue
17) Florida Senior Living Association
19) Humana, Inc
20) IBM
11-15 years
James H. McFaddin comes to Southern Strategy Group from Health Management Associates (now Community Health Systems), a Fortune 500 hospital company with over 200 hospitals in 29 states, where he served as Director of Government Affairs. James was responsible for representing the company's interests in Washington, DC, state capitals including Tallahassee, and in front of state health care agencies and local governments.
Prior to joining Health Management Associates, James served as Chief of Staff for the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration (Agency). As Chief of Staff, James was involved in the management and operations of the Agency including the Florida Medicaid Program, the regulation of Florida's health care facilities, and oversight of the Agency's $20 billion budget.
During this time, James was also appointed by the Governor to manage the state's federally-mandated health information exchange activities as Florida's Health Information Technology Coordinator.
Prior to being named Chief of Staff, James served as the Agency's Legislative Affairs Director.Before joining the Agency, James served as the Deputy Director of Legislative Affairs for the Executive Office of the Governor where he worked to develop and coordinate passage of the Governor's legislative and budget priorities.
James has also served as a Senior Analyst in the Florida Senate specializing in health care, criminal justice, and agricultural issues.
A native of South Carolina, James graduated from Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia, where he earned Bachelor of Arts degrees in Economics and Political Science.
(850) 671-4401
Po Box 10570, Tallahassee, FL, 32302-2570, 
Subjects: All Subjects
Links:Website
3) Altria Client Services LLC and its Affiliates
5) Aucilla Research Institute, Inc.
8) Caesars Enterprise Services, LLC
10) CGL Companies
11) Clay County Board of County Commissioners
13) Daytona State College Foundation, Inc
15) Dixie Board of Public Education/Dixie District School Board
18) Easterseals Northeast Central Florida
19) Easterseals Southwest Florida, Inc.
20) Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
22) Estuary LLC.
23) Fidelity National Financial, Inc
24) Flagler College
25) Florida Association of Broadcasters, Inc
26) Florida Blue
27) Florida Court Clerks and Comptrollers
28) Florida Insurance Council, Inc.
29) Florida Keys Aqueduct Authority
30) Florida Prepaid College Foundation, Inc
32) iEnable, Inc.
33) IMG Academy LLC
36) Indigov
39) Key West International Airport
40) LEO Technologies
41) Martin County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller
42) Metro Development Group, LLC
44) NASCAR, LLC
46) Pearl Holding Group (Ocean Harbor)
49) Putnam County
51) Rood Chartrand Partnership
53) Second Harvest of the Big Bend
56) TECO Energy, Inc
57) The Arc of Putnam County, Inc.
60) Timberline Real Estate Partners
61) TrueHaul LLC
62) Two Roads Development, LLC
63) United States Sugar Corporation
64) Universal Protection Service, LLC
65) University of Florida Foundation, Inc.
66) Vestcor Companies, Inc., The
67) Volusia County
68) Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, U.S.
69) Workday, Inc.
David Browning is one of Florida's top political campaign operatives. David has worked with Florida's most powerful elected officials and brings a new dimension to Southern Strategy Group's team of lobbyists in Tallahassee. David was instrumental in raising millions of dollars for campaign war chests in the 2010 election cycle for Governor Rick Scott. David also worked for Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater and Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam and set fundraising records for those campaigns. Fundraiser, strategist, and confidante, David is among a handful of insiders who help guide candidates to victory in Florida.
David has been equally busy helping the legislative branch. David served as the chief fundraiser for Speaker Dean Cannon. David's responsibilities included raising money for Speaker Cannon's personal campaign, as well as working with House leadership to raise money for the House Republican Caucus. Through these efforts, the Florida House returned 81 republican members giving them a supermajority.
In the Florida Senate David represented Senate President Mike Haridopolos and Senate Majority Leader Andy Gardiner. David worked with Senator John Thrasher who was elected in a highly contested special election. David brings his unique expertise to the Tallahassee team and offers our clients unprecedented insight into the workings of state government.
David is a graduate of Florida State University with a degree in Political Science.
(850) 671-4401
123 S. Adams Street, Tallahassee, FL, 32301, 
Subjects: All Subjects
Links:Website
3) AON BENFIELD
7) CONCORDIA CARE DBA CONCORDIA BEHAVIORAL HEALTH
8) EARLY LEARNING COALITION OF PALM BEACH COUNTY
9) EGIS INSURANCE AND RISK ADVISORS
11) FAMILY FIRST ADOLESCENT SERVICES
12) FIDELITY NATIONAL FINANCIAL, INC
13) FLORIDA ARGENTUM
14) FLORIDA BLUE
Paul Mitchell joins Southern Strategy Group after having served at the top in some of the most powerful executive branch agencies in Florida government. Paul began his career in Florida government in 1988 as an aide to, then Insurance Commissioner, Tom Gallagher. In 1994, Paul was appointed Chief Cabinet Aide to former Secretary of State Sandra Mortham and specialized in financial services, environmental, and education issues. In 1998, following Tom Gallagher's election as Education Commissioner, Paul was asked to serve as the Commissioner's Chief of Staff. Six years and two successful administrations later, Paul continued to serve as Chief of Staff to Tom Gallagher, Florida's first Chief Financial Officer at the Florida Department of Insurance and then at the Department of Financial Services.
An expert in policy and administration, Paul served on several boards and commissions including the E.R.P. (Enterprise Resource Planning) Integration Task Force, a statewide effort initiated by the legislature to improve financial management of taxpayer dollars and modernize state personnel systems. Paul also served with the Florida Commission on Economic Education and the "Just Read Florida" program. Paul currently is on the board for the Florida Juvenile Justice Foundation, which is the direct support organization for the Department of Juvenile Justice.
A native Floridian from Palm Beach County, Paul was a dedicated public servant for more than fifteen years. Prior to entering government, Paul graduated with honors from Florida State University in Political Communications.
(850) 671-4401
P.O. Box 10570, Tallahassee, FL, 32302, 
2) Airbnb, Inc.
3) Altria Client Services LLC and its Affiliates
4) Apple Inc
5) Aramark Correctional Services, LLC
6) Aucilla Research Institute, Inc.
9) Caesars Enterprise Services, LLC
10) CGL Companies
11) Chabad Hebrew Academy, Inc.
13) Clay County Board of County Commissioners
14) Clay County District Schools
16) Connecting Everyone with Second Chances
17) Dixie Board of Public Education/Dixie District School Board
19) Easterseals Northeast Central Florida
20) Easterseals Southwest Florida, Inc.
21) Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
24) Estuary LLC.
25) Florida Association of Broadcasters, Inc
26) Florida Blue
27) Florida Court Clerks and Comptrollers
28) Florida Keys Aqueduct Authority
29) Florida Prepaid College Foundation, Inc
32) iEnable, Inc.
34) Indian River State College Foundation, Inc.
37) LEO Technologies
38) Martin County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller
39) Metro Development Group, LLC
41) Museum of Science & History
42) NASCAR, LLC
45) Putnam County
47) RedSpeed USA
48) Rood Chartrand Partnership
49) Second Harvest of the Big Bend
51) Sunshine Gasoline Distributors, Inc
53) TECO Energy, Inc
55) Town of Belleair
56) Two Roads Development, LLC
57) Universal Protection Service, LLC
58) University of Florida Foundation, Inc.
59) Vestcor Companies, Inc., The
60) Volusia County
(850) 671-4401
Po Box 10570, Tallahassee, FL, 32302-2570, 
2) American Property Casualty Insurance Association
3) Aon Benfield
4) Apple Inc
10) Early Learning Coalition of Palm Beach County
11) Eastern Medical
15) Fidelity National Financial, Inc
16) Florida Birth-Related Neurological Injury Compensation Association
17) Florida Blue
(850) 671-4401
Po Box 10570, Tallahassee, FL, 32302-2570, 
1) Advantage Behavioral Health Services
2) Airbnb, Inc.
3) Altria Client Services LLC and its Affiliates
5) American Property Casualty Insurance Association
7) Apple Inc
8) Aramark Correctional Services, LLC
9) Artificial Intelligence for Manufacturing, Inc. (AIM)
11) Baldwin Risk Partners, LLC
12) Bay County Board of County Commissioners
13) Beach Mosquito Control District
15) Beer Industry of Florida, Inc
18) Caesars Enterprise Services, LLC
20) CGL Companies
22) City of Marathon
24) Copart, Inc
26) Fidelity National Financial, Inc
27) Florida Blue
28) Florida Prepaid College Foundation, Inc
29) Florida Pulp & Paper Association
30) Florida Senior Living Association
31) Florida Sheriffs Association
33) Friends of Florida Iron & Steel
34) Gopher Resource
36) Gulfstream Natural Gas System, LLC
41) Koch Companies Public Sector, LLC and Affiliates
42) LEO Technologies
44) Metro Development Group, LLC
45) Monroe County Sheriff's Office
46) Monroe Street Tallahassee, LLC & Monroe Street Tallahassee Manager, LLC
48) NASCAR, LLC
49) National Emergency Management and Response
50) Next Insurance
52) Nutanix, Inc.
53) On Track School c/o TSG Education Advisors
55) Prescribed Pediatric Extended Care, Inc
57) Putnam County
58) Rayonier, Inc
59) ReCap, LLC
61) Sabal Trail Transmission, LLC
63) SCI Funeral Services of Florida, Inc
66) SMG Drones, LLC dba DARIUS
67) Southern Gardens Citrus Holding Corporation
70) Talitrix LLC.
72) TECO Energy, Inc
73) The Arc of Putnam County, Inc.
75) United States Sugar Corporation
76) Universal Protection Service, LLC
(850) 671-4401
Po Box 10570, Tallahassee, FL, 32302-2570, 
2) American Property Casualty Insurance Association
3) Aon Benfield
4) Apple Inc
11) CVS Health
12) Eastern Medical
13) Fair Insurance Rates in Monroe (FIRM)
14) Florida Birth-Related Neurological Injury Compensation Association
15) Florida Blue
(850) 671-4401
PO Box 10570, Tallahassee, FL, 32302, 
1) Aramark Correctional Services, LLC
7) Easterseals Northeast Central Florida
8) Emergent BioSolutions, Inc.
10) Florida Blue