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.

6-10 years

United States Naval Academy Board of Visitors; Presidential appointee
Atlanta Transit Link Board of Directors 7 years
Rules Chair Ga House of Representatives 2005-2011
ALEC National Chairman 2005

Earl Ehrhart is a Managing Director of Freeman Mathis Decisions, the Government Relations team within Freeman Mathis & Gary, LLP. In his role, Mr. Ehrhart has responsibility for the overall direction and strategic success of Freeman Mathis Decisions. Mr. Ehrhart brings the public policy experience and the problem solving capacity needed at the nexus of business and government.

As a retired elected official for the State of Georgia, Mr. Ehrhart brings a wealth of experience necessary to assist his clients. Mr. Ehrhart was elected to the Georgia House of Representatives in 1988, and served as one of the State's longest serving elected officials. During his thirty-year tenure as a state representative, he served eight years as the Minority Whip and six years as the Rules Committee Chairman. Mr. Ehrhart served as Chairman of Higher Education Appropriations, a role he held for 7 years. He was elected as the National Chairman of American Legislative Exchange Council in 2005. He served as a board member for more than 20 years and as its chairman and member of executive committee for over 5 years. Mr. Ehrhart's political efforts have received national media recognition in The Economist, the New York Times, CNN and The Fox News Channel.

In addition, Mr. Ehrhart has led organizations in both the public and private sectors. He began his career as a young entrepreneur. At age 21, he co-founded, The Marble Craftsman, a marble and granite subcontracting company, which he grew from a backyard business to more than $2 million in revenue when he sold the company in 1995.

He then went on and was an Executive Vice President of Facility Group, an international design and construction company where he served as the company's Chief Strategist, developing and implementing company-wide strategic growth initiatives in five vertical sectors: Food & Beverage, Education, Municipal, Hospitality & Entertainment and Retail Distribution. Facility grew from six employees and $25M in revenue to more than 500 employees and more than $600M in revenue.
In 2003 Mr. Ehrhart was the original organizing director and vice chair of the board of one of the most successful startup community banks in Georgia history. He supervised all aspects of this very successful financial endeavor. In 2006, Georgian Bank was sold for a premium to an investor group who eventually grew the platform to more than $2.1B in assets.

Mr. Ehrhart served as CEO of LakePoint Sports Development Group and Managing Partner of Sports Parks of Georgia, LLC. Mr. Ehrhart and his partners drew on his diverse background and experience in business, politics and youth sports to develop, grow, manage and operate America's Premier Sports Vacation Destination.

6-10 years

Our team was named the James Magazine Top Ranked Lobbying Firm in multiple years.

Perennial Top 5 Lobbying Firms since 2018

0-5 years

2022- Top Rising Star Accolade from James Magazine

Holli Gibbs is a consultant of the Government Relations Practice of Freeman Mathis Decisions. A strategic planner with strong communication skills, Ms. Gibbs understands how to strategically analyze and present critical information for clients looking for a rapid response.

Ms. Gibbs has extensive knowledge of the legislative process and strong working relationships with legislative leaders. She has experience crafting legislative and policy matters, communicating the needs of her clients, working with clients to identify problems and come up with solutions, and responding to crisis.

Prior to joining Freeman Mathis Decisions, Ms. Gibbs served as the Director of Constituent Services for the Office of Speaker David Ralston in the Georgia House of Representatives. In this role, she gained first-hand experience serving as a liaison between local, state and federal agencies and local officials to ensure the needs of local communities were being served.

Ms. Gibbs has also served as Deputy Messenger, House Rural Development Council Coordinator and House Social Media and Photography Coordinator. Additionally, she served on the Committee to Develop and Implement Covid-19 Protocols and the Legislative Biennial Planning Committee.

20+ years

Mr. Paris served as the U.S. Manager of State Government Affairs and Policy for General Electric Company ("GE"). Mr. Paris oversaw all aspects of GE's state government affairs function, including budgeting, contributions, political and business association memberships, retained political counsel and policy issue prioritization, during his seventeen-year career with GE.

Prior to joining GE, Mr. Paris was a fourteen-year employee of The Coca-Cola Company. During his tenure, he held various management roles in the public affairs arena, first overseeing state government relations for the U.S. As Manager of Shareowner Affairs, he managed relationships with all institutional shareowners concerning corporate governance, social responsibility policy and other proxy matters. Mr. Paris was also responsible for Issues Communications for government relations, environmental, science and regulatory, and technical functions of the Company as Manager of Global Communications. He also served as a primary media relations spokesman on select public affairs issues, providing communication support to senior management and external affairs managers worldwide.

Mr. Paris serves on the Board of Directors of the Georgia Chamber of Commerce, the Cobb Chamber of Commerce, Select Cobb, and the Advisory Board of the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce. He has recently served in a similar role with Florida, North Carolina and South Carolina Chambers and Manufacturing Associations.

Mr. Paris is a trustee of the University of Georgia Foundation, the Richard B. Russell Foundation, and the Carter Center Board of Councilors.

Education:
University of Georgia, MBA, Finance, 1985

University of Georgia, BA, Finance, 1984

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

0-5 years

Previously appointed by Texas Governor Greg Abbott to serve as the Governor's designee Chair for the Texas Bond Review Board.

14. Ky's experience in Texas government is notable, previously serving as State Budget Director for Governor Abbott, as well as serving as the Governor's designee Chair for the Texas Bond Review Board. Before his time in the Governor's office, Ky spent the better part of two decades in the Texas House of Representatives serving as Chief of Staff and Legislative Director for former State Representative Jim Keffer. As Chief of Staff for then-Representative Keffer, Ky also served as Chief Clerk for several Texas House committees, including Ways and Means, Energy Resources, Economic Development and the Select Committee on Property Tax Relief.

A proven strategist and passionate advocate for his clients, Ky Ash has more than twenty years of experience working in the Texas Legislature and executive branch of Texas state government. Ky's work covers all major policy areas, with a particular emphasis in budget, economic development, energy and tax policy matters.

Known as a mover and shaker around Austin, Texas Energy Report noted that Ky is, "well known in the Capitol for his expertise in energy, taxes and budgeting."

With an innate sense for the economics of business and armed with deep industry knowledge, Ky is sought out by a wide range of companies and organizations across the State. His clients include Fortune 500 companies, trade associations and businesses engaged in matters related to e-commerce, higher education, healthcare, information technology, transportation, energy, electricity, telecommunications, public safety and manufacturing.

Ky's experience in Texas government is notable, previously serving as State Budget Director for Governor Abbott, as well as serving as the Governor's designee Chair for the Texas Bond Review Board.

Before his time in the Governor's office, Ky spent the better part of two decades in the Texas House of Representatives serving as Chief of Staff and Legislative Director for former State Representative Jim Keffer. As Chief of Staff for then-Representative Keffer, Ky also served as Chief Clerk for several Texas House committees, including Ways and Means, Energy Resources, Economic Development and the Select Committee on Property Tax Relief.

Prior to joining HBS, Ky served as Government Affairs Advisor at K&L Gates.