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

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

6-10 years

Served on the Georgia Department of Revenue Local Government Advisory Group. As a member of this group, Joel provided the Revenue Commissioner with feedback and suggestions on the impact of important tax issues on local governments.

Joel has developed extensive relationships with elected and appointed officials at the state and local level. Many of these relationships are concentrated in revenue and finance with strong relationships with finance directors all across Georgia's 538 cities and 159 counties. In addition to these local relationships, Joel has done extensive work with the Georgia Department of Revenue.

Joel began his career in local government by providing planning, zoning, and land use support with over 63 cities and 17 counties for one of Georgia's Regional Commissions. Joel then moved to Talladega, AL where he assisted the city manager in all planning and community development projects. It was in this capacity that Joel first started learning municipal budgeting and operations. Joel's work in Talladega caught the eye of a state trade association, and Joel got his introduction to lobbying with the Alabama Manufactured Housing Association (AMHA) in 2013.

As AMHA's Deputy Director, Joel learned the business operations of one of Alabama's major industries and lobbied on their behalf both locally and on the state level. After nearly four years with AMHA, Joel decided to combine his local government and lobbying experience by taking a job with Georgia Municipal Association (GMA). While at GMA, Joel specialized in a wide array of tax issues and lobbied on behalf of Georgia's 538 cities. Joel's knowledge of local government operations, business operations, and public policy development allowed him to develop a broad array of relationships at the General Assembly, while effectively advocating for all of Georgia's cities.

Joel graduated from Georgia College and State University with a BA in political science and Masters of Public Administration. Joel grew up in Byron, Georgia and currently resides in Atlanta with his wife Lucy and daughter Willow.