John's past representation of counties and municipalities brings a solid knowledge of legislative issues that can affect local government. Additionally, his experience with healthcare organizations, communications and other industries lends to his broad spectrum of expertise in many fields. John is not afraid of a challenge, and will work hard for you.
20+ years
Georgia State University 40 under 40, Member of 2022 Leadership Georgia
Gov Kemp Inaugural Committee in 2018 and 2022
John began his career in government in the Georgia House Appropriations Office. After leaving the legislative staff, Clayton went on to serve as Deputy Finance Director to former Governor Roy Barnes. John returned to the House where he played an important role in the 2002 election of Terry Coleman as Speaker of the House.
While in government, he served at the highest levels in the Georgia House of Representatives as Chief of Staff to former Speaker of the House Terry Coleman. In that position, Clayton demonstrated his deft touch as he worked behind the scenes to shepherd controversial bills into law at a time of political acrimony and upheaval within state government. Once Speaker Coleman left office, Clayton assisted in the transition for the first Republican Speaker in Georgia's history.
Clayton maintains strong relationships with key decision makers, in both parties, within the executive branch and legislative branch. He also has a proven ability to shape policy decisions within state agencies. His firm, Georgia Public Affairs, often represents Fortune 500 companies as well as public interests in front of all facets of state government. From transportation to healthcare Georgia Public Affairs has made an essential impact on policy in favor of their clients.
He is a graduate of the University of Georgia with a B.A. in Political Science and an M.A in Public Relations, and he also has his J.D. from Georgia State University. Clayton is a member of the Georgia Bar Association, Cartersville Zoning Board, as well as several boards at the state and local level.
Clayton was an original member of the Finance Committee for Governor Brian Kemp. He also has served on the Inaugural Executive Committee for Brian Kemp for Governor.
John is a proud member of the University of Georgia Alumni Association, as well as the Georgia State Alumni Association where he was selected as a member of their 40 under 40 class.
John and his wife Kate attend Macedonia Baptist Church and reside in Cartersville, GA with their two boys, Thomas and Jack, and daughter, Evie.
(843) 267-1780
600 Peachtree St NE, Suite 3000, ATLANTA, GA, 30308,
(404) 670-1448
600 Peachtree St NE, SUITE 3000, ATLANTA, GA, 30308,
(404) 885-3360
600 Peachtree St NE, SUITE 3000, ATLANTA, GA, 30308,
2) American Recyclable Plastic Bag Alliance
3) Bank of America Corporation
4) Centene Corporation on behalf of its affiliates and subsidiaries
5) Central EMS
8) Genesys Cloud Services, Inc.
9) Georgia Entertainment Company LLC
10) Georgia Racing & Entertainment, LLC
11) GeorgiaCAN
(404) 313-1915
600 Peachtree St NE, Suite 3000, Atlanta, GA, 30308,
2) AFLAC
5) Bank of America Corporation
6) BC Partners
8) Bulloch County Board of Commissioners
9) Centene Corporation on behalf of its affiliates and subsidiaries
10) Central EMS
11) Coinbase Inc.
12) Community Choice Financial
13) CoreCivic, Inc.
16) Fidelity National Financial
17) General Motors
18) Genesys Cloud Services, Inc.
19) Georgia Commercial Real Estate Coalition
24) Georgia World Congress Center
25) Global Payments
26) HANWHA Q CELLS AMERICA INC.
27) Kroll Government Solutions LLC
29) Live Cyber LLC, DBA Cloud Range
33) Progressive Mountain Insurance Company
36) SharpRank, Inc.
37) Sportradar US
38) TEI Industries, Inc. -William Archer
41) Troutman Pepper Strategies LLC
42) Turo Inc.
43) Underdog Fantasy
44) Verizon
