Sally G. Rideout is a recognized and respected public affairs professional with more than 30 years of public and private sector experience. She became the 2nd youngest woman ever elected to the Indiana House of Representatives when she defeated the Speaker of the House in an upset election in 1994. After her term in office, she worked at Holiday World & Splashin' Safari, the University of Evansville, the Evansville Chamber of Commerce, and the global aluminum manufacturer, Alcoa, before launching Rideout Public Affairs, Inc. (RPA) in 2013.

Rideout serves on the University of Evansville Board of Trustees and led the Search Committee for the University's 24th President. She recently completed a term as President of the Ascension St. Vincent Evansville Board and has been active with the Women's Fund of Warrick County.

Rideout's community work has been recognized with the 2007 Evansville area ATHENA Award, the University of Evansville 2008 Outstanding Young Alumna, and the 2007 Business Leader of the Year from the Delta Sigma Pi Business Fraternity at the University of Evansville.

Rideout earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science from the University of Evansville and is a graduate of the US Chamber's Institute for Organizational Managment (IOM). She now lives in Newburgh where she spends free time on the golf course, traveling, and tending to her cats, who frequently make guest appearances during virtual meetings.

Delora R. Sanchez, Esq. joined Cornerstone in October 2015 after leading Johns Hopkins Medical System's government affairs team. Delora spent nearly a decade representing Hopkins' interests before the Maryland General Assembly, Governor's office, and state administrative agencies. She has an extensive background in state legislative and regulatory issues.

As a senior vice president in Cornerstone's Annapolis office, Delora specializes in representing hospitals, managed care organizations (MCOs), pharmaceutical manufactures, medical cannabis companies, and private sector special interests. Over the past 10 years, Delora has used her deep policy expertise and legislative connections to save or create tens of millions of dollars in state funding for clients; shape Maryland's medical liability policy; and steer the top healthcare system in the world through the implementation of the Affordable Care Act and the creation of the Maryland Health Benefits Exchange.

Delora was recognized by the Daily Record in 2017 as a VIP, 40 under 40 and as a Leading Woman in 2013. In 2014 Sanchez was named a Marshall Memorial Fellow -- the flagship leadership development program of the German Marshall Fund of the United States. From 2008 to 2010 she was appointed by the President of Johns Hopkins University to serve on the Johns Hopkins Diversity Leadership Council. During the same time period, she was also appointed by then Governor Martin O'Malley to the Maryland Commission for Environmental Justice and Sustainable Communities.

Delora is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated, and serves as chair of community engagement on the board of directors for Thread, which engages underperforming high school students facing significant barriers outside of the classroom. As a native of Baltimore and current South Baltimore resident, Delora was proud to accept an appointment by the Speaker of the Maryland House of Delegates to the South Baltimore Gateway Partnership Board. The organization is responsible for distributing approximately $8 million in casino revenue for community development projects in the areas immediately impacted by the casino's construction. Previously, she was a board member of the Charles Village Community Benefits District and Vice Chair of the board for Hope Forward, which provides support transitioning for former foster youth.

Delora holds a Juris Doctor degree with a concentration in Health Law from University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law and an undergraduate degree in Healthcare Management from Towson University. She is licensed to practice law in Maryland and the District of Columbia. Delora is a lifelong resident of Baltimore and enjoys living downtown, yoga, and biking around the City.

Estie is recognized statewide as one of the most effective lobbyists in Tennessee and is respected for her advocacy and loyalty. She has been working in or around the Tennessee General Assembly since the late 1980s and legislators and peers consider her to be a subject matter expert in the state budget process and the unique needs of health care providers.

Clients and lawmakers appreciate her thorough understanding of the state legislative and political process and its key players. Her attention to detail and commitment to doing it right the first time has built long-term friendships with many of the state's elected officials and their staff. Estie joined Harris Frazier Government Relations in 1994, one of the state's oldest lobbying firms, and helped lead its consolidation into HBS in 2025 as HBS Tennessee.

Her work has impacted issues as diverse as judicial selection, the Tennessee Lottery, special payments to hospitals, pay equity for those providing services to the intellectually disabled, and the needs of providers of behavioral health services.

Estie is actively involved in her middle Tennessee community. In 2024, her dedication and impact were recognized when she was named a Nashville Business Journal Women of Influence Top Executive honoree.

Estie earned a bachelor's in Agricultural Economics from Texas A&M University.

6-10 years

Built a proven record of winning tough floor fights in New Hampshire's 400-member House of Representatives on a myriad of issues.

I've stopped harmful committee recommendations, overturned committee votes, adopted emergency floor amendments, used creative solutions to stop legislation from advancing, and scripted floor fights and debates for members.

Passed the region's most aggressive biodiesel production credit into law and guided the state's largest biodiesel producer through the entirety of the process from drafting to rulemaking. I then advocated for loosening of regulations on the use of biodiesel by large energy consumers and the state government to further increase the client's potential revenues.

As a freshman lobbyist, I was named "Rookie of the Year" by my colleagues.

I worked with a coalition of healthcare providers and lobbyists to stop a workers' compensation fee schedule. Our efforts successfully overturned the House Labor committee's recommendation on the House floor to pass the coalition's desired floor amendment which was signed into law. The client's amendment has since lowered worker's compensation costs by ~10% and did so without a fee schedule.

I have guided clients through successful issue advocacy campaigns during the First in the Nation primary. Deliverables involved getting Presidential candidates on the record, one-on-one meetings with candidates or senior level staff, grassroots organizing, event planning, press opportunities, and earned media for the client.

Served as the State Director to the New Hampshire Energy Forum where I provided grass tops lobbying and communications consulting to one of the nation's largest energy trade associations; I was instrumental in successfully changing Federal laws and Executive guidelines surrounding ozone and air quality regulations, energy exports, and energy infrastructure.

Provided strategic communications consulting for state legislators and stakeholders to lobby New Hampshire's Federal delegation to change mandates in the Affordable Care Act on behalf of a coalition of insurance providers. Our coalition was victorious in these efforts.

I've worked as a political & fundraising consultant to numerous State Senators, Executive Councilors, State Representatives, and County officials.

Work Experience:
Government and Public Affairs Advisor, Preti Strategies, Concord, NH, December 2019 to Present
Government Relations Advisor, Dennehy & Bouley, Concord, NH, December 2014 to November 2019
New Hampshire Field Organizer, Republican National Committee, 2014
Bill Status Aide, New Hampshire State Senate Clerk's Office, 2013

Political Experience:
Republican Political & Fundraising Consultant for State Senators, Executive Councilors, State Representatives and County officials, 2014- Present
Vice Chairman- Region 2, New Hampshire Republican State Committee, 2017-2018
Voting Member, New Hampshire Republican State Committee, 2014-Current

Education:
University of New Hampshire, BA, Political Science

0-5 years

Voted as a Top and Rising Star Lobbyist by the James Magazine

Recognized as a Top Fierce and Fabulous 40 Under 40 Alumni by Spelman College

Executive Director, Georgia Legislative Black Caucus (2003-2016)
Chair, National Black Caucus of State Legislators, Corporate Roundtable Sports, Entertainment and Gaming Committee
Board Member, Wellroot (formerly known as United Methodist Children's Home)

Danica Thompson is experienced in civic engagement with a focus in government relations. She currently serves as a vice president of state government relations where she provides strategic advice and lobbying services to help clients meet their corporate and public affairs objectives. She has extensive experience working with clients in the areas of education, healthcare, diagnostic laboratories, procurement and transportation on both the state and local levels.

Prior to joining McGuireWoods Consulting, Danica worked with state elected officials for 13 years at the Atlanta-based Georgia Legislative Black Caucus, Inc. Starting as a legislative intern, she seamlessly rose through the organization's ranks to the position of executive director where she managed the daily operations of the caucus, coordinated legislative conferences, spearheaded the legislative intern program and ensured that the caucus fulfilled its mission to protect the general welfare of people of color, the disadvantaged and the underserved citizens throughout the state of Georgia.

Throughout her professional career Danica has committed herself to making a difference at work and within her community. She is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., and the Georgia Women's Policy Institute. Presently, Danica serves as chair of the National Black Caucus of State Legislators Corporate Roundtable Gaming, Sports and Entertainment Policy Committee, serves as a board member for the United Methodist Children's Home (WellRoot), and volunteers as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) to support children in foster care. She is a Council for Quality Growth Emerging Leader and serves as an ambassador with the Grady Ambassador Force, which consists of nearly 100 community leaders creating awareness and community support for the Grady Health System and chairs the Marsy's Law for Georgia Advisory Committee to ensure victims of crime receive their constitutional rights in court proceedings.

Danica has been recognized by her peers as a Top and Rising Star lobbyist in the James magazine, acknowledged by the Daily Report for providing pro bono services related to changing age requirements in Georgia's child marriage law, and named as Spelman College's Fierce 40 Under 40 Alumni. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Spelman College and a Juris Doctorate from Birmingham School of Law.

Danica is a native from Birmingham, Alabama. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family, dogs and traveling.

20+ years

Martindale-Hubbell
    AV -Preeminent Peer Review Rated
Best Lawyers in America
    Insurance Law, 2007-2022
    Government Relations Practice, 2015-2022
    Lawyer of the Year, Insurance Law (Nashville), 2018
    Lawyer of the Year, Government Relations Practice (Nashville), 2020, 2022
Nashville 101 Top Lawyers, Nashville Post Magazine, 2011
In Charge list, Government/Politics, Nashville Post, 2010
150 Best Lawyers, Business Tennessee, 2009
Best of Bar, Nashville Business Journal
Trustee, Harpeth Hall School
Former Board of Directors, Women's Fund of Nashville, Community Foundation of Middle of Tennessee
Former Board Member, Book 'Em
Former Alumnae Board Member, Harpeth Hall School
Former Board Member, Jade's Fund, Vanderbilt Children's Hospital
Tennessee Lobbyist Association
Former Member, Board of Directors

0-5 years

6-10 years

Julies Family Learning Program Board Member
Norwell Board of Selectman
2019- Medicine Wheels King of the Hill, presented to man of the year
Major General Henry Knox Unsung Hero
Registry of Deeds "Good Deed Award"
South Boston World War II Memorial Committee
Sons and Daughters of South Boston

Over the course of his career Rull has built a vast network of Government, Political, Non Profit and Business Officials. Rull has been fixture at Boston City Hall the past 20 years.

Joe Rull is a seasoned government, political, real estate development, procurement and operations advisor. Rull began his career in government over two decades ago when Boston Mayor Tom Menino appointed him as neighborhood liaison for the Office of Neighborhood Services and rose to become a special assistant to the Mayor. He also worked for several state agencies, primarily in capacities related to development and real estate, most notably Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport) and Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance (DCAMM). Rull returned to Boston City Hall as Chief of Operations for Mayor Marty Walsh overseeing The Office of Intergovernmental Affairs, The Office of Civic Engagement, Property and Construction Management, Labor Relations, Human Resources and Health Benefits, Retirement Office.

Rull has extensive political campaign experience, advising the campaigns of both Mayors Thomas Menino and Martin Walsh, Governor Deval Patrick, Senators Elizabeth Warren and Ed Markey, and Congressman Stephen Lynch to name a few.

Rull founded MJR consulting in 2015 specializing in Government Relations, Real Estate Development, Licensing, Permitting and Political Strategy.

0-5 years

Leadership Iowa Graduate

Nick is an experienced government relations, public affairs, and public relations professional with a successful history of executing lobbying and issue campaigns. He began his journey in the political arena at a young age and has had the opportunity to work a number of political campaigns at the local, state, congressional, and even presidential level.

Nick's career has included leading extensive public affairs issue campaigns, communications and public relations efforts, and marketing campaigns across the Midwest and country influencing state and federal policymakers and garnering media attention. He also spent a couple of sessions being fully immersed in the legislative process while working for a committee chairman in the Iowa House.

These diverse experiences have all culminated in Nick's successful ability to execute strategic plans to introduce, pass, block, or amend legislation at the Iowa Statehouse for clients and build strong relationships with lawmakers and stakeholders. From legislative agenda development and interim planning to PAC management and issue campaigns, Nick specializes in elevating a client's message and executing legislative strategies. Nick also leads Advocacy Strategies' administrative rulemaking engagement and media relations efforts on behalf of our clients.

Nick grew up in Byron, MN and made his way to Iowa through Simpson College's John C. Culver Public Policy Center where he was selected as a Fellow. He graduated Simpson with the highest academic honor with majors in Political Science and International Relations and a minor in Religious Studies and also received his Master's Degree in Public Policy and a Graduate Certificate in Public Administration from the University of Northern Iowa.

Outside of work, Nick is actively involved in his church community, local political activism, the Simpson College Alumni Association Board, and serves as the President of the John C. Culver Public Policy Center Alumni Association. He graduated from Leadership Iowa, the state's premier professional leadership development program, in June of 2022.

11-15 years

2012 Generation Next: Top 40 under 40

2016 University of Charleston Alumnus of the Year

Ben Beakes is the founder and managing member of 3PS, LLC, a government affairs and public relations firm headquartered in West Virginia. A 2002 graduate of the University of Charleston with a degree in political science, Ben began his career as Political Director for the West Virginia Republican Party. In 2005, he was appointed Chief of Staff to Secretary of State Betty Ireland, becoming one of the youngest individuals to serve in that capacity in state government.

Following his time in public service, Ben briefly worked in the private sector before being named State Director of the McCain 2008 presidential campaign in West Virginia. In 2009, he returned to his alma mater to serve as Vice President for University Development, a role he held for five years. Ben then joined Alpha Natural Resources as Director of Government and External Affairs, managing state and federal policy efforts.

On September 1, 2015, Ben launched 3PS, combining his deep policy experience, strategic insight, and extensive relationships into a firm designed to serve clients with integrity and purpose. With over two decades of experience in public policy, politics, and advocacy, Ben has built a reputation as a tireless and trusted voice for the individuals, companies, and associations he represents.

6-10 years

Elkey Award Recipient for Campaign Strategist of the Year - 2014
5 Time Goldies Recipient
3 Pollie Awards Recipient
Rising Star Award Recipient
National Comeback Campaign of the Year Recipient - Reed Awards

Chris Keohan is the Founder and Principal of Shawmut Strategies. Prior to his work with SSG, Chris worked as a senior staffer in political, field and finance departments for multiple local, state and federal campaigns. He then founded CK Strategies in 2009.

Chris has continually expanded and evolved his business model. Today, his expertise and offerings encompass far more than political strategy. Working with developers, financial institutions, contractors and a wide variety of other business interests Chris is providing strategic planning for projects that bring developments of all sizes to communities across Massachusetts. Specifically, Chris has served as a liaison to local boards and elected officials. He has developed outreach plans and grassroots strategies to ensure the success of local projects.

Politically, Chris has served as a senior advisor to Marty Walsh's successful Mayoral campaign in Boston, and to Deborah Goldberg's successful campaign for Treasurer. He also served as the Executive Director of Treasurer-elect Goldberg's transition team.

In 2015 Chris was the winner of the 1st ever Elkey Award for Campaign Strategist of the Year. The Elkey Awards is a bipartisan event that honored political operatives and candidates for outstanding achievement during the 2014 election cycle. He was also the recipient of 2 Goldies for excellence in Mail and Overall Campaign for his work on Mike Brady for State Senate. The Goldies are a national award program that chooses and judges entries with a bipartisan panel of peers within the political consulting industry.

In 2014 Chris was the winner of three prestigious "Pollie Awards" from the American Association of Political Consultants for his role in Marty Walsh's campaign for Mayor. In 2012, Chris was honored to receive the prestigious "Rising Star Award" by Campaigns and Elections Magazine. He has also received the "National Comeback Campaign of the Year" for his work on Ayanna Pressley's 2011 campaign for Boston City Council At-Large.

Chris Keohan is a 2003 graduate of Boston College with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science and a concentration on Environmental Studies. He has worked on campaigns in Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Virginia, as well as traveling to 35+ states performing advance work during multiple Presidential campaigns.

AV-rated, Martindale-Hubbell
Fellow, America Bar Foundation
Fellow, Tennessee Bar Foundation
Fellow, Napier-Looby Bar Foundation
Fellow, Nashville Bar Foundation
Appointed by Gov. Lee to the Board of Directors, TPAC Management Corporation, 2019- Present
Appointed by Gov. Haslam to the Board of Directors, TPAC Management Corporation, 2013-2019
R.B.J. Campbelle Award, the University of Tennessee College of Law, 2012
"Nashville's Top 101 Lawyers", Nashville Post Magazine, 2011
Best Lawyers in America
    Energy Law, 2011-2022
    Government Relations, 2016-2022
    Administrative/Regulatory Law, 2022
    Communications Law, 2020-2022
    Lawyer of the Year, Energy Law (Nashville, TN), 2018, 2020, 2022
Mid-South Super Lawyers , Civil Litigation Defense, 2013-2014
J.C. Napier Trailblazer Award, Napier-Looby Bar Foundation, 2010
"In Charge," Legal Category, Nashville Post, 2010
Best of the Bar, Nashville Business Journal, 2003, 2009, 2020
Commissioner, Tennessee Public Utility Commission (Formerly Tennessee Regulatory Authority), 1996-2002
Deputy Legal Counsel to Tennessee Governor Don Sundquist, 1995-1996
Dr. Calvin Calhoun Distinguished Member of the Year Award, 100 Black Men of Middle Tennessee, 2006, 2014 & 2015.
Special Appointment by Gov. Haslam, Tennessee Supreme Court, 2013

Melvin was one of the first practitioners before the Tennessee Public Utility Commission to obtain approval of capital recovery riders under Tennessee's newly passed legislative initiative authorizing alternative regulatory mechanisms for public utilities.

Served a special appointment by Governor Bill Haslam to the Tennessee Supreme Court to hear a case from which four Supreme Court Justices recused themselves (Hooker et al v. Lt. Governor Ramsey et al.).

Successfully litigated on behalf of Tennessee's only publicly held water provider, a regional financial institution, a global wireless communications company, the nation's largest three-service utility, a national automotive finance company, and a coalition of Tennessee telephone cooperatives.

Successfully litigated on behalf of a coalition of over 200 retail fuel providers in an alternative fuel anti-competition case.

Commissioner, Tennessee Public Utility Commission (Formerly Tennessee Regulatory Authority), 1996-2002.

Deputy Legal Counsel to Tennessee Governor Don Sundquist, 1995-1996.

Education
Vanderbilt University Law School, JD (1995)
Vanderbilt Law Review, Executive Editor
Order of the Coif
Vanderbilt Law Review Award; Vanderbilt Law Review Note Award; Best Oralist, King & Spalding Moot Court Competition, 1994; Winner, Appellate Advocacy Competition, 1993.
Author, A Purposeful Approach to Products Liability Warnings, 47 Vand. L. Rev. 1147 (1995)
University of Tennessee, BS, Communications (1991)

Admissions
Tennessee

Clerkships
U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee (1995 - 1996)

15-20 years

Brian Flynn is senior vice president and director of McGuireWoods Consulting's South Carolina government relations group. He advises a diverse group of clients on government affairs strategies at both the state and national levels. Through his national practice, Brian works with Fortune 500 companies and leading trade associations to navigate complex legislative, regulatory and public policy issues.

In South Carolina, Brian represents clients before the General Assembly, executive branch agencies and local governments across a wide range of industries and policy areas.

His experience includes work in energy, health care, transportation, pharmaceuticals, alcohol beverage regulation, retail and nonprofit advocacy. Brian has extensive experience developing and implementing integrated government affairs, grassroots advocacy and public affairs strategies for clients.

An Eagle Scout, Brian graduated from The Citadel and was commissioned as a military intelligence officer in the United States Army. In 2010, he deployed to Afghanistan with the 1-178th Field Artillery Battalion, where he served as the unit's tactical intelligence officer. After 22 years of military service, Brian retired from the South Carolina Army National Guard, where he most recently served as a legislative liaison.

Before joining McGuireWoods Consulting, Brian worked on numerous political and grassroots campaigns throughout South Carolina. He has been recognized in the Columbia Regional Business Report Book of Lists as one of the state's top lobbyists for three consecutive years (2024 - 2026).

Brian lives in Columbia, South Carolina, with his wife, Rachel, and their two daughters.

15-20 years

Has been named to the Columbia Regional Business Report Book of Lists as a top lobbyist for three consecutive years (2024 - 2026).

South Carolina General Assembly, Governor's Office and state agencies

Amber is a senior vice president of state government relations, assisting clients with traditional advocacy, lobbying and government relations services in matters before the South Carolina General Assembly and regulatory agencies. She has experience working with clients across industry sectors, including education, financial services, healthcare and energy. She assists clients with a variety of issues and has particular depth in the areas of non-profit advocacy and state budget requests. In addition, Amber works with multiple trade and business associations, managing programs, events, communications, membership, among other services.

Prior to joining McGuireWoods Consulting, Amber served as the director of government relations for the South Carolina Bankers Association. In that capacity, she was responsible for coordinating the organization's lobbying and legislative efforts at the state and federal level. Before that, Amber served as a leadership consultant for Alpha Delta Pi Sorority and traveled the country working with collegiate women on leadership and organizational management. She is a former intern of the Hodges Consulting Group, which was headed by former South Carolina governor and MWC president Jim Hodges.

Amber serves as the vice president of the South Carolina Girls State Foundation Board. She has been named to the Columbia Regional Business Report Book of Lists as a top lobbyist for three consecutive years (2024 - 2026).

0-5 years

Joe Reidy serves as Vice President of Public Affairs at 3PS, LLC, a government affairs and public relations firm based in Charleston, West Virginia. A Berkeley County native and graduate of West Virginia University, Joe has spent his career at the intersection of politics, policy, and advocacy.

Before joining 3PS in 2021, Joe advised successful campaigns at the local, state, and federal levels. He has worked with national consulting firms, trade associations, and political organizations to drive legislative strategies and build grassroots and grasstops engagement across the region.

At 3PS, Joe leads public affairs efforts for clients in some of the most heavily regulated sectors, offering strategic counsel, coalition development, and policy support tailored to each client's unique needs. With a deep understanding of West Virginia's political and regulatory landscape, Joe brings energy, insight, and unwavering focus to every engagement.

Joe lives in Charleston with his wife, Katie, their daughter, Georgia, and their golden retriever, Charley.

Rachel Cone joins Southern Strategy Group after more than a decade of service in the highest levels of local and state governments. Rachel served as the Interim Secretary for the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), where she successfully shepherded the department's policy agenda and $11 billion budget across the finish line of the 2017 legislative session.

During her time at FDOT she also served as the Assistant Secretary for Finance and Administration, overseeing the offices of work program and budget, finance, procurement, technology, human resources, performance management and other administrative functions. She managed three of the largest transportation work programs in state history and represented the department in front of the U.S. Department of Transportation, the U.S. Treasury, Fitch and Moody's rating agencies.

Rachel also directed changes to how the department finances the work program, and successfully advocated for statutory changes that resulted in a new financing vehicle for the department. This allows the department to fund additional, major transportation projects at a lower cost. She also oversaw the reorganization of the department's technology offices, which resulted in a culture shift for the department in how it prioritizes, spends and manages transportation-specific and traditional technologies.

In 2012, Governor Rick Scott appointed Rachel to serve as his Deputy Chief of Staff, where she was responsible for advising him on statewide issues, appointments to boards and commissions and providing guidance and direction to 14 state and quasi-governmental agencies on operational and management issues, including policy, budget, communication, legislative strategy and agency priorities. Those agencies were the Departments of Business and Professional Regulation, Citrus, Emergency Management, Economic Opportunity, Environmental Protection (and Water Management Districts) and Transportation. Also included under her purview were Florida Wildlife Commission, Space Florida, Visit Florida, Volunteer Florida and CareerSource Florida.

Rachel previously served as the External Affairs Director for the Florida Department of Environmental Protection where she directed planning and statewide communications strategies for the department, and coordinated communications efforts with Florida's five water management districts. This included topics such as renewed water management district oversight, various departmental restructuring, the health of Florida's springs, Governor Scott's Everglades Restoration Strategies plan and Florida's ongoing recovery after the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill.

Prior to her family's move to Tallahassee, Rachel served on the executive leadership team in the Mayor John Peyton administration in Jacksonville. Rachel began her career as a military reporter at the Florida Times-Union.

Rachel is a proud graduate of Auburn University. She and her family are active members of Trinity United Methodist Church, and Rachel serves as a member of the Board of Trustees at Holy Comforter Episcopal School in Tallahassee.

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.

20+ years

Jason Webb's often heard motto is "You must educate before you can advocate." He believes that policy makers are invariably dependent on concise and accurate information. While the introduction of those conversations is the foundation for advocacy, it's the ongoing discussion and exchange of ideas that tend to build success in the long run.

"If you can reduce complicated matters down to their core principles, then individuals will usually have a better chance of understanding them. Greater comprehension brings with it the likelihood that people will consider different perspectives on an issue. By increasing diverse viewpoints, we can collectively solve complex problems," he says.

For over two decades, Webb has worked in government relations, serving a diverse range of clients that include Fortune 500 companies, trade associations and non-profit corporations. His proficiency includes economic development, environment, finance, healthcare, insurance, natural resources, professional licensure, taxes and technology.

The son of a coal miner, Webb understands the adage that there is no substitute for hard work. He worked his way through college, completed internships at Merrill Lynch and a trading firm on the Chicago Board Options Exchange and worked with the Senior PGA Tour.

Webb received his Bachelor in Business Administration in finance and political science from the Gatton College of Business and Economics at the University of Kentucky.