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.

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

Nathan Poss has over 20 years of experience in both the public and private sector. His focus is to provide clients with a comprehensive range of services, including: legislative drafting and tracking, policy development, governmental lobbying (at all levels), strategy development, and business procurement.



Prior to forming JohnsonPossKirby Government Relations in 2007, Nathan served as a principal at Smith Johnson & Carr, focusing on lobbying efforts for the firm's business clients and taking the lead on procurement strategies.



Before entering into the lobbying world, Nathan served seven years on Capitol Hill as a legislative assistant to then Speaker Pro Tempore of the Senate, State Senator Bob Rochelle. During his tenure with the state, he played an important part in writing and developing legislation, organizing political strategies, building coalitions, and monitoring legislation for committees. Poss has also been actively involved in numerous successful political campaigns.



Poss has built a reputation of hard work and respect among those on Capitol Hill. Working with major players in the state's business community, he has served as a key strategist on major environmental and tax issues. Nathan has garnered a reputation for producing tangible results through well-executed and intricate lobbying efforts designed to achieve long lasting success for his clients.

In addition to his lobbying successes, Nathan has extensive experience with the procurement process in Tennessee. Recently recognized by the TN Report for being known as an "expert in the state's purchasing practices," Nathan has cultivated the necessary connections with top-level decision makers throughout all areas of state government. Throughout his practice he has developed a strong grasp of the state's purchasing processes, and has successfully secured multi-million dollar purchases for numerous clients.

Nathan is a graduate of Cumberland University with a B.A. in Social Science. A native Tennessean, Nathan grew up in Lebanon and currently lives in Green Hills with his wife Molly.

Prior to joining JohnsonPossKirby in 2017, Luke served Capitol Hill in the Tennessee General Assembly, the Department of Finance and Administration, and the Office of Governor Bill Haslam.

Luke began working in politics in 2009 for Representative Pat Marsh and then joined Governor Haslam's office in February of 2011. During his tenure there, Luke helped shepherd the Governor's signature legislation through the legislative process. These initiatives include teacher tenure reform, tort reform, the TEAM Act, the Prescription Safety Act, and TN Promise to name a few. In 2015, Luke left the Governor's office to join Commissioner Larry Martin and the Department of Finance and Administration.In his role as Legislative Liaison, Luke was responsible for communicating with the legislature on behalf of Commissioner Martin and the divisions within the department. Luke worked with the Commissioner, Strategy Technology Solutions (STS), Benefits Administration, and the Division of Budget to achieve the department's goals and facilitate a strong working relationship between the department and General Assembly.

In addition to his work with the F&A divisions, Luke played a role in preparing the Governor's Budget and advocating for its approval in the General Assembly. These budgets included the largest tax cut in state history, two debt free budgets, and significant investments in recruiting jobs.Luke and his wife, Katie, live in Franklin with their two daughters, Ryall and Mackie.

KATE HAAS is a lawyer and lobbyist specializing in challenging legislative and regulatory issues. She is also a community-relations expert with deep experience organizing coalitions and campaigns for both businesses and political operations. As a former chief of staff and top policy aide to an Idaho congressman, she has nearly a decade of experience on Capitol Hill in both the Senate and House, and has worked directly on some of our nation's most complicated issues. Kate is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law, where she was named to the Dean's list, served an externship for a U.S. District Court Judge and graduated with top honors. She is on the board of directors of the Treasure Valley YMCA and is an avid trail runner. She and her husband, Bret, have a young son.

Trammel began his time in Tennessee State politics as a key legislative liaison for the Department of Finance and Administration under Governor Haslam. During this time, he worked on the state's budget process, information systems and insurance plans and served as a vital link to the General Assembly on several topline legislative priorities.

Trammel transitioned to the private sector after the Haslam Administration to serve as a senior government relations advisor at Butler Snow. There he leveraged strategic procurement to create open channels of communication with top decision-makers and lobbied a variety of issues including health care, insurance and telecommunications.

Trammel is an alumna of the University of Tennessee–Knoxville, where he graduated magna cum laude and received his law degree from the University of Memphis. He has been listed among Ones to Watch in government relations practice by Best Lawyers in America®.

Originally from Brentwood, Trammel lives in Franklin. Outside the office, you can catch him at one of his kids' sporting events or out on the golf course.

LUKE OTERO is the President of Otero Consulting, a New Mexico based legislative and regulatory consulting firm. He has been lobbying and consulting for twenty-four years representing various national and local clients. As a company standard, Mr. Otero strives to protect and promote the best interests of all his clients, ensuring that all client concerns are met with great attention by the appropriate officials.

20+ years

Nonpartisan staff for House members during development and passage of Washington's Forests & Fish law.

Josh has relationships with key legislators, statewide elected officials, agency staff and locally elected officials across the state.

Prior to joining the GTH-GA team, Josh spent nearly 10 years advocating for counties, serving as the Legislative Relations and Policy Director and General Counsel for the Washington State Association of Counties. Josh started working in Olympia in 1998 as nonpartisan counsel to the House of Representatives and served as Legislative Director for the Department of Fish and Wildlife. As Environmental Policy Director for the Washington Forest Protection Association he represented private forest landowners in the state's environmental regulatory system. He also assisted in Governor Locke's water reform efforts. Josh is a member of the Washington State Bar Association, graduate of Central Washington University and the Vermont Law School, and is a fourth generation Washingtonian. He lives in Olympia with his wife Karen.

DOUG NELSON spent five years as Missouri's State Commissioner of Administration working with all branches of government and every executive branch department on contracting and procurement matters. As Commissioner, he oversaw more than 2,000 active procurement contracts, information technology and cybersecurity issues, bond issuances and budget matters. Along with Doug's unmatched experience in all types of government contract issues, his extensive network of national and state contacts makes him a great resource to clients. Doug also spent more than 18 years as an Assistant Missouri Attorney General focusing on consumer and contract litigation and administrative/regulatory matters. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1987 from the University of Missouri, Columbia, and Law degree in 1990 from the University of Missouri, Kansas City.

HEATH CLARKSTON has more than two decades working for a variety of clients as a registered lobbyist in Missouri with state government relations and public relations experience. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Public Administration and Political Science in 1997 from Missouri State University in Springfield. He began his career as a legislative intern for the Taxpayers Research Institute, a division of Associated Industries of Missouri. After joining Gallagher Consultants Inc. in 2006, Heath quickly earned a reputation as a tenacious, hard-working voice in the Missouri State Capitol for his clients. An active member in many civic and professional organizations, Heath is the benchmark of hard work in the State Capitol.

Holly Salmons Kirby is a principal with JohnsonPossKirby Government Relations. She has been working on the hill and in other functions of state politics since 2000. Kirby served as an intern for the Senate Transportation Committee during the 102nd General Assembly. There she worked on key pieces of legislation such as fiber optic right-of-way for the Intelligent Transportation System and primary restraint. Kirby attended the University of Tennessee at Martin and Western Kentucky University where she received her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science. After graduating from Western Kentucky, she served as one of the field coordinators for Andy Womack's gubernatorial campaign. In this capacity, she managed all volunteer efforts, coordinated supporter databases, and assisted the candidate at events across the state.

Holly began her lobbying career when she interned for the firm of Smith Johnson & Carr in 2002. She returned to the firm as an associate for Bo Johnson in 2003. In this capacity, she worked on many issues ranging from outdoor advertising and railroads to manufacturing and alcoholic beverages. In 2006, Kirby worked with key legislators and railroad representatives to pass legislation strengthening the railroad trespassing laws.

In 2007, Holly accepted the position of Senior Associate with the new firm, JohnsonPoss Government Relations. In this capacity she continued to focus on the wide range of business issues she had worked on previously while expanding her work scope to include a variety of education issues. In 2010, Holly accepted the offer to become a principal in the firm.

20+ years

Dennis combines his corporate and public service experience to serve clients across a broad range of industries.Dennis has previously held the position of senate sergeant-at-arms for the Mississippi State Senate and served as a staff attorney in the Senate Legislative Services office. He has also served as senior attorney for the Mississippi Public Service Commission and as a regional public affairs manager for International Paper. Additionally, he is the author of the Mississippi Chapter, Lobbying, PACs and Campaign Finance: 50 State Handbook.In addition to holding memberships and leadership positions in a number of professional organizations, Dennis is an adjunct professor of law at Mississippi College School of Law teaching the course, "Legislation."

Elliott Flaggs joined Cornerstone's Jackson office in October 2015. He most recently served as a special assistant attorney general with the Mississippi Attorney General's Office in the capacity of legislative liaison for Attorney General Jim Hood and director of the Child Desertion Unit. His responsibilities included analyzing and advocating legislation impacting state citizens and the Mississippi Attorney General's Office, advising the executive staff on legislative strategies, and making recommendations regarding legislative proposals. He also prosecuted parents for child neglect and abandonment in the Public Integrity Division.

Prior to the Mississippi Attorney General's Office, Elliott attended Mississippi State University where he received a bachelor's degree in industrial and systems engineering (B.A., 2007). After graduation, he was accepted into the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation - Walmart Emerging Leaders Program where he worked on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. for Congressman G.K. Butterfield (North Carolina - District 1). Subsequently, he attended The University of Mississippi School of Law and graduated cum laude (J.D., 2012). During law school, he was a member of the Mississippi Law Journal and Dean's Leadership Council while also serving as a Law School Student Body Senator.

Furthermore, Elliott is an active member of the Mississippi Bar Association, Jackson Young Lawyers, Magnolia Bar Association, the Charles Clark Inn of Court and Jackson Professional Group. He is an incorporator and board member of The First Tee of Central Mississippi in Jackson, MS. He is also a 2015-16 graduate of Leadership Greater Jackson and now serves on their board of directors. In addition, Elliott has been recognized as an American Cancer Society - Best Dressed Jackson honoree as a result of his community service efforts and by the Clarion Ledger as a Top Politician and Politico Under 35 in Mississippi.

Elliott and his wife, Brittany, reside in Madison, MS with their daughter, Lianne.

Drew Maddox joined the Cornerstone Mississippi team in February 2020 as a vice president with more than 10 years of experience in finance and education policy. Previously, Drew served as the chief financial officer of the Mississippi Department of Revenue, where he oversaw all administrative divisions of the department, including accounting, communications, processing, information technologies and logistics. As CFO, Drew also worked closely with state legislators and statewide elected officials to guide tax policy decisions, liquor laws, and revenue-generating activities.

Prior to his time at the Department of Revenue, Drew also worked as director of state engagement at EdBuild, where he used his knowledge of political and governmental structures to strategically place educational reform proposals in the best positions for success in state legislatures across the country. Drew has also worked at the Mississippi Legislative Budget Office as the Senate budget officer, where he worked closely with leadership to craft and pass balanced budgets.

Drew received his Bachelor of Arts in English literature and his Bachelor of Business Administration degrees from Millsaps College in Jackson, Mississippi. Drew enjoys spending time with his wife and two children (Sam and Bee), baseball, and gardening.

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.

6-10 years

At our legislature and dozens of boards and commissions across the state, decisions that impact our quality of life happen at warp speed. Top Drawer's effective relationship building and intensive bill and regulation monitoring give our clients the edge they need to impact everything from professional licensing to environmental permitting. Our advocacy has made the difference for clients on controversial issues that tend to divide policy makers, because we find ways to bring people together. From department rate setting to legislative education on pension sustainability, to healthcare policy, to labor and employment issues, we've found ways to make the impossible happen for our clients because of our credibility with decision makers at all levels of government.

Over a decade of advocacy, Top Drawer has brokered hundreds of millions in investments for Louisianans. Our work to secure a steady investment in the historic Morgnaza to the Gulf flood protection system will ensure that the Louisiana way of life is a reality for generations to come. Repeated against-all-odds work to invest in K-12 education after a decade of devastating spending freezes has produced important results for school districts across the state. Our commitment to state investments in smart partnerships with business and industry have borne fruit for organizations like the Port of South Louisiana - the largest tonnage port in the Western Hemisphere - completing capital projects years ahead of schedule to keep our goods and services moving. We're especially proud of our work to fund worthy non-governmental organizations that serve our children and communities, like our three-year successful effort to fund an emergency project for Girl Scouts Louisiana East and protect the camp experience for more than 14,000 young women in Lousiana.

Mary-Patricia Wray, founder of Top Drawer Strategies, is a graduate of The Ohio State University (B.A.) and Loyola University New Orleans College of Law (J.D.). Before moving to Louisiana from Ohio in 2008, she worked for Ohio Governor Ted Strickland and Ohio Attorney General Richard Cordray, later head of the Consumer Affairs Protection Agency. After focusing on constitutional law and administrative procedures in law school, MP, as she is affectionately known, put her knowledge to good use at the Louisiana Capitol. In 2012, she began representing clients focused on improving their communities by investing in public education and increasing access to high quality healthcare. She also works on policy issues surrounding criminal justice reform, healthcare delivery systems, economic development, multimodal transportation, coastal transportation, affordable energy, finance and tax issues, non-profit advocacy and local and municipal government. MP is an adjunct professor of law at Tulane Law School in New Orleans where she teaches Legislative and Administrative Advocacy focusing on legislative drafting and agency rule making.

MP was among the first true believers in the candidacy of John Bel Edwards for Governor, and served as one of the only staffers in the early years of his campaign, securing victory for the only Democratic statewide elected official in Louisiana and the only Democratic governor in the Deep South. Her award winning advocacy contributed to another upset victory, 2018's "Yes on 2" ballot initiative to erase one of Louisiana's last remaining Jim Crow era laws and require the use of unanimous juries.

Mary-Patricia serves her community through volunteer leadership in Girl Scouts Louisiana East as a lifetime member of Girl Scouts USA, having earned her Gold Award, the highest award in Girl Scouting as a member of Buckeye Trails Girl Scout Council Troop #1567. She is a member of the BREC Foundation Board, chairing its public relations committee and focusing on work to reinvest in the life and health of the greater Baton Rouge community. She is involved in the Tulane and Loyola University communities, working to promote public interest as the highest good in every curriculum. She is the proud mother of Henry Lee Wray and resides in Baton Rouge with her husband, Ira.

20+ years

Alton Ashy established Advanced Strategies nearly two decades ago. As the firm's president, Alton brings a wealth of knowledge, a strong work ethic and sharp business insight to his projects. He began his professional career as a legislative staffer working for both the Louisiana Senate and House of Representatives and quickly transitioned into governmental relations representing clients including Louisiana State University. Alton's ability to quickly assess an issue and develop a winning legislative strategy has helped Advanced Strategies achieve great success for its clients over the years.

6-10 years

Diana Carlen leads the firm's business and utility practice and has over 20 years of legal and legislative experience. Prior to joining Gordon Thomas Honeywell Governmental Affairs, Diana served as Leadership Counsel to the Senate Republican Caucus. In that role, she also served as the caucus attorney for the following policy issues: energy, natural resources, agriculture, land use, telecommunications and water issues. Prior to working for the Senate, Diana practiced law for several years focusing on land use and environmental issues and also served as a Law Clerk to Chief Justice Gerry Alexander of the Washington State Supreme Court. Diana represents several of the firm's business clients, public utilities, and port clients.

Mary Burke Baker is a government affairs counselor in the Washington, D.C. office where she leads the tax policy practice. Ms. Baker focuses on federal tax matters affecting businesses, including domestic and multinational corporations and all types of pass-through entities, and individuals. Her practice covers tax policy, tax reform, regulatory and other guidance, tax administration, and technical tax issues, with particular emphasis on corporate and pass-through issues, accounting methods, information reporting, Reports of Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts (FBAR) compliance, and emerging cryptocurrency issues. Since enactment of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) in December, 2017, Ms. Baker has particularly focused on the Opportunity Zone program and is a frequent speaker on the topic throughout the United States.

Ms. Baker advocates on behalf of clients and consults with and advises Congressional, U.S. Treasury, and Internal Revenue Service (IRS) staff on numerous domestic and international tax and tax policy issues, including the new Opportunity Zone program, implementation of business and individual provisions in the TCJA, and emerging cryptocurrency tax compliance concerns. She stays abreast of current tax policy developments on Capitol Hill and around the world and keeps clients informed with timely, relevant, and informative updates, including political insights and analysis regarding the significance of these developments. She helps clients identify and assess risks and opportunities in the ever-changing legislative and regulatory environment and develops and executes strategies to achieve desired legislative and administrative outcomes. She offers technical analysis and drafts comment letters in response to regulatory projects, working groups, and other tax policy initiatives. During the multi-year tax reform debate, Ms. Baker leads the Cash to Accrual Coalition and the Like-kind Exchange Coalition. She serves on the steering committee of the LIFO Coalition. She assists individual taxpayers who are participating in the IRS Offshore Voluntary Compliance Program to comply with FBAR and Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA) filing requirements.

Ms. Baker serves on the Board of Directors of the Real Tax Policy Group, which features biweekly sessions with top Administration and Congressional tax officials. She also serves on the Board of Directors of Time of Grace, an international media ministry.

20+ years

Camille Young brings almost two decades of background in the practice of state and federal government affairs to Cornerstone's Jackson, Mississippi office. Prior to joining Cornerstone, Camille spent 10 years as a government affairs representative with one of the State's leading law firms, Watkins Ludlam Winter & Stennis, P.A.

Prior to that, Camille spent five years at the Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation in several positions, including communications specialist, director of media relations and government relations specialist. During her time at Farm Bureau, she also spent time on Capitol Hill establishing relationships and providing support for the agricultural community. She also held a position with the United States Department of Agriculture as an outreach and public affairs specialist.

At Watkins Ludlam, Camille worked for the state and federal legislative interests of clients as varied as an institution of higher learning, a major automotive manufacturer, associations that represent constituents in every county of the state and healthcare entities. In addition to her Capitol lobbying tasks, Camille provided significant support to clients in areas of public relations and community relations.

Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour tapped Camille to serve as a museum liaison for the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum project that joined public and private sponsors to launch the venture that will honor Mississippi's history in the Civil Rights Movement.

Camille is very involved in community activities like the Greater Jackson Chamber Partnership Board of Directors, the Junior League of Jackson Sustainers Board of Directors, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated and the Mississippi 4-H Foundation. She also was honored to serve as President of the Mississippi State University National Alumni Association in 2012-13.

Camille has been honored for her professional accomplishments and service to the community as a member of the Mississippi Business Journal's Top 50 Business Women (2006) and Top 40 Under 40 (2005). She was named a Woman of Distinction by the Girl Scout Council of Middle Mississippi and Alumnus of the Year by the Central Mississippi Chapter of the MSU Alumni Association. She also is a member of the BankFirst Board of Directors and the inaugural class of Top 50 Most Influential People in Mississippi.

Camille grew up in Shannon, MS, and graduated from Mississippi State University (B.A., 1994 and M.S., 1996).

Camille and her husband Keith are the proud parents of three children and enjoy living in rural Madison County. Camille is an active participant in her church, community and the school activities of her children.

Tim Schellberg is the Founder and President of Gordon Thomas Honeywell Governmental Affairs, an internationally known governmental affairs and government business market development firm. In addition to serving as the firm's managing partner, Tim maintains an active governmental affairs and market development practice, and provides strategic direction to the firm's four primary divisions: International, Multi-State, Federal, and Washington State. Under Tim's leadership, the firm has had impressive growth and success.

Tim is recognized nationally and internationally for his work to create and grow new markets by collaborating with business and government to implement dynamic public policy and technology based solutions. Tim has used over 25 years of professional experience, worldwide contacts and knowledge of global government institutions to actively lead legislative based projects in over 30 countries and within the United States.