0-5 years

Sara joined McGuireWoods Consulting after six years with the SC Association of REALTORS as their director of political affairs. In that capacity, she managed the SC REALTORS Political Action Committee Board of Trustees, fundraising, finances, disbursements, ethics reporting, independent expenditure campaigns, and public policy campaigns.

Prior to that she served as executive assistant/scheduler to U.S. Congressman Tom Rice in Washington, DC. Her previous experience also includes campaign fundraising for multiple members of the South Carolina General Assembly and members of Congress.

Sara has a public relations degree from the University of South Carolina and is currently pursuing her Master's in business administration at the Darla Moore School of Business at the University of South Carolina.

6-10 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).

Launched Cornerstone's 13th state office in South Carolina

Former Chief of Staff and Legal Counsel for the South Carolina House Ways and Means Committee