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.

0-5 years

John Harkins' career awards and recognitions include: "The American Legion Department of Connecticut Certificate Award as the 2009 Legislator of the Year", the 2008 Bridgeport Regional Business Council AT&T "Regional Elected Official Award", the 2004 Walter Wright "Community Spirit Award". He was State Chairman and a former Board Member of the American Legislative Exchange Council. He received the Legislator of the Year Award from ALEC in 2006. He was also the First National Chairman of the American City and County Exchange and received the "Innovative Leadership Award" from ACCE in 2016.

I have served over twenty-two years in elected office on the state and local level. I have been able to develop a vast network on both the state and local level on both sides of the aisle after serving 13 years in the statehouse and 8 years as a mayor. I have also remained active in business and with regional chambers of commerce.

John Harkins was born in Perth Amboy, New Jersey, and has been a resident of Connecticut for over 50 years. He received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Finance from The University of Tulsa in
Oklahoma in 1986. He received his SRA designation from the Appraisal Institute in 1991.

He was the owner of Harkins Appraisal Service, Inc. for over thirty years. Living in Stratford, John Harkins has served his hometown in public office since his election to the Town Council (9th District) in 1995. As Councilman, he was Chairman of the Parks and Recreation Committee. He also served as Chairman of the Roosevelt Forest Commission.

In 1996 he was elected to the Connecticut House of Representatives from the 120th District, comprising central Stratford, beginning his first of seven consecutive terms in the General Assembly in 1997. As a State Representative, his past leadership appointments include serving as the Deputy Minority Leader at Large, House Republican Caucus Chairman, Assistant Minority Leader, and Ranking Member to the Transportation Committee, Select Committee on Aging, and Veterans Affairs Committee.

Serving two four-year terms as Mayor since 2009, Mayor Harkins led Stratford with a steady hand. By focusing on economic development, the town has grown significantly. After decades of inaction, positive progress has been made on Sikorsky Airport and Main Street flooding, the sale and redevelopment of the Army Engine Plant, redevelopment of the Stratford Avenue corridor, Clean up of the Raymark Super Fund Site, and successfully accomplished getting the construction of a full interchange at Exit 33 off of I-95 which has begun in 2020.

A lifelong resident of Stratford, John Harkins has long been active in town affairs and civic groups: (Past President) Stratford Rotary Club, Bridgeport Regional Business Council, SaveStratford.org, and the Raymark Advisory Committee. He also served as co-chairman of the Bridgeport Regional Business Council's Regional Legislative Caucus both as a State Representative and as Mayor, and was past Chairman of the MetroCog. He has recently become a member of the Board of Trustees for The Milford Bank.

He has owned and operated Harkins Real Estate Services and Molter Government Affairs providing clients with lobbying and business development. He is presently affiliated with Rome, Smith, & Lutz Government Relations and is registered as a lobbyist in the State of Connecticut.

15-20 years

I have a history of developing relationships with elected officials in both parties to help clients tell their story and accomplish their goals. I have worked in the Governor's office and have experience working with most state executive branch agencies.

I am the President of Goranson Consulting, Inc.; a lobbying firm advocating for clients spanning multiple industries; including: healthcare, education, conservation, industry associations, retail, and corporations.

I'm always volunteering with nonprofit and civic organizations and looking to make an impact for my clients and my community. In the past, I've served as a member of the State Board of Education (appointed by former Governor Terry Branstad and confirmed unanimously by the Iowa Senate), have had experience leading a statewide association and as a member of leadership teams at multiple central Iowa organizations. I've worked multiple public relations campaigns, and currently hold seats on two nonprofit boards.

15-20 years

President's Award for Exceptional Dedication as Lobbyist, Association of Surgical Technologists

Outstanding Service Award for Government Affairs, Manufactured Housing Communities of Washington

Coalition Leadership Recognition Award, Washington Business Properties Association for leadership in coordinating multi-industry coalitions and stakeholder advocacy efforts in defeating capital gains tax on real estate.

WA State Leadership Board Member and Legislative Advisor

More than fifteen years representing businesses and industry organizations before the Washington State Legislature and executive agencies, with strong bipartisan relationships across legislative leadership, both caucuses, and key agency personnel, and a track record advising industries and organizations representing thousands of businesses across WA

B.A. with Honors in Finance and Business Computer Information Systems, University of Washington Foster School of Business

B.S. with Honors in Environmental Health, University of Washington

Juris Doctor with Honors, Seattle University School of Law

Chester Baldwin has extensive professional experience working with members of the Washington State House and Senate, including leadership offices, members of both caucuses, and key committee staff, as well as executive agency personnel and local government officials. His work regularly involves direct engagement with legislators, legislative staff, and agency stakeholders on issues involving business regulation, taxation, real estate, health care, professional licensing, transportation, and nonprofit operations.

His experience includes meetings with lawmakers and staff, coordination with committee leadership, preparation and delivery of legislative testimony, bill drafting and analysis, and ongoing advocacy throughout the legislative process. He also works directly with executive agencies on rulemaking, policy implementation, and regulatory interpretation to help ensure that legislative outcomes are practical, effective, and aligned with client interests.

Through his representation of businesses, industry groups, and organizations composed of thousands of businesses across WA, Chester frequently coordinates advocacy involving multiple stakeholders, including trade associations, coalition partners, and business leaders, and translates those interests into clear, credible, and effective communication with policymakers.

Chester Baldwin is an attorney and registered lobbyist and the principal of Lobby Washington, LLC, an Olympia-based government relations firm representing businesses, industry groups, and organizations before the Washington State Legislature, the Governor's Office, and executive agencies. With more than fifteen years of experience in legislative and regulatory advocacy, Chester focuses on complex, high-stakes policy matters involving business regulation, taxation, real estate, health care, and professional licensing.

He has developed strong bipartisan working relationships with House and Senate leadership, members of both caucuses, and key agency personnel, enabling him to effectively advance client priorities in a dynamic political environment. His work includes legislative strategy, bill drafting and analysis, direct lobbying, testimony before legislative committees, and coordination with executive agencies on rulemaking and implementation.

Through Lobby Washington, Chester represents industries and organizations composed of thousands of businesses across WA, requiring coordinated advocacy strategies that align diverse stakeholder interests into effective legislative outcomes. Clients rely on him for clear strategic guidance, real-time legislative intelligence, and disciplined advocacy on matters with significant operational, financial, and legal implications.

Chester earned a Juris Doctorate from Seattle University School of Law and holds undergraduate degrees from the University of Washington in Finance, Business Computer Information Systems, and Environmental Health. Prior to practicing law and lobbying, he worked as a financial analyst and healthcare consultant, giving him a practical understanding of how public policy decisions affect business operations.

Lobby Washington provides high-touch, individualized government affairs services and works with a limited number of clients to ensure focused, strategic representation.