15-20 years

With deep ties to Louisiana's political landscape, we bring a local perspective, but engage across state lines to help clients broaden their services across the nation.

20+ years

Jim Grace advises and advocates for a wide variety of clients on federal, state, and local public policy matters. His deep knowledge of and experience with governments and political campaigns at virtually all levels allow him to assist with complex government relations matters. Jim enhances and protects his clients' business opportunities by monitoring political developments and formulating and implementing strategies to help clients achieve their government relations objectives.

In addition to operating Grace & McEwan, in 2019, Jim and Jennifer McEwan were co-founders of Datum Tech, Inc., a mobile data advertising company. Datum ingested the location data from mobile devices at scale from around the United States and organized that data at the household level using parcel data. Once sorted, the location data could be matched to voter files and other address lists and utilized for highly targeted multiplatform advertising. Jim and Jennifer grew Datum to sixteen employees and yearly revenues of $9 million. They successfully exited in 2024 when Datum was acquired by a publicly traded gaming company.

Prior to forming Grace & McEwan Consulting, Jim chaired the Texas government relations practice at Baker Botts L.L.P. and served as director of Texas state relations and senior counsel at CenterPoint Energy, Inc. Before serving in an in-house counsel capacity, he was a member of a Houston-based international law firm where his practice concentrated on merger and acquisition transactions, securities offerings and general corporate matters for companies involved in oil and gas exploration and production; oil field and energy services; natural gas liquid processing; propane and heating oil and chemical production and distribution.

Jim holds a J.D., cum laude, from the University of Houston Law Center and a B.A. in History from the University of Notre Dame. In 2020, Jim received the University of Houston Law Alumni Association's Pro Bono/Community Service and Leadership Award for his pro bono efforts to secure $45 million in funding for a new building for the Law Center.

From 2016-2019, Jim was the Chair of the Board of Directors for Undies for Everyone, a charity that provides new underwear to underprivileged children, and he continues to serve on that organization's Board. He also currently is on the Board of Directors of the Houston Area Women's Center.

In 2007, the day before he turned 40, Jim took a commission in the United States Navy Reserve, and in 2011-12, he deployed to Afghanistan for nine months, where he served as an intelligence officer with a unit that conducted counterinsurgency operations.

Thomas Prasol serves as the Managing Director for Demers, Blaisdell & Prasol Inc. He has been providing strategy, lobbying, and association management for clients since 2011. He brings a myriad of experience in State and Federal government beginning his professional career as a Project Assistant to U.S. Senator Judd Gregg and as Policy and Field Coordinator for several State and Federal campaigns. In 2008 he transitioned to the position of Project Director for Senator Gregg where he handled federal appropriations in the areas of first responders. Upon Senator Gregg's retirement, he moved to the New Hampshire State Senate where he was a Legislative Aide to the Senate Education Committee. With his experience in federal and state government, Mr. Prasol brings another dimension to the firm in areas of strategy, management of special projects, and government affairs implementation. He continues to bring his experience and knowledge to assist State and Federal campaigns with strategy and policy research. In addition to his work for Demers, Blaisdell & Prasol, he serves on the Town Planning Board and has previously served as Chair of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board in his local community He received his Bachelor's degree in Politics from Saint Anselm College where he served as an Ambassador to the New Hampshire Institute of Politics, and his Master's degree in Criminal Justice from Boston University. He currently resides in Hooksett, NH with his fiance' Maria and two dogs Zeus and Tyson.

15-20 years

Mark Gaines Named to Alabama Today's 32 Powerful and Influential Alabamians to Know

"Mark Gaines has been around for decades, bringing a wealth of knowledge, decades-long relationships, and a positive attitude to the political arena in Alabama."


Southern Political Report - The South's Top Government Affairs Firms

"The law firm of Adams and Reese placed #1 in the states of Alabama, Louisiana and Tennessee and also ranked in the top five in Mississippi and South Carolina.

Adams and Reese has a long-standing reputation as one of the region's most prominent Government Relations firms now with 16 offices in 15 markets across the Southern United States and Washington, D.C."

Mark Gaines lobbies at the local, state and federal level - in Alabama and Washington, D.C. - advising corporate clients on regulatory, legislative and economic development matters. His clients include companies in the telecommunications, road and bridge construction, infrastructure, financial, pharmaceutical, health care, alcohol, and defense industries as well as municipal governments and educational institutions. Having spent 15 years in state government and more than a decade providing government relations services, Mark has developed long-term personal and professional relationships with important decision makers at every level of government. He is skilled at building political coalitions to achieve client objectives.

Prior to joining Adams and Reese, Mark served as Probate Judge for Jefferson County and was elected to four terms in the Alabama House of Representatives. During his time in the legislature, he served on various legislative committees and commissions and served as the Republican Leader of the House and Chair of the House Republican Caucus. Mark has managed, consulted or counseled dozens of political campaigns, grassroots efforts and ballot initiatives, including races for Governor, U.S. Senate, judicial offices, and state legislative seats.

Prior to joining the firm, Mark was in private law practice concentrating in the areas of real estate, probate, wills, trusts and business entities. He tried many jury and non-jury cases to verdict in courts throughout Alabama.

Professional Affiliations & Memberships:
Alabama House of Representatives, Member, 1990-2005
Jefferson County Criminal Justice Coordinating Committee, Vice Chair, 2004-2005
Jefferson County Coroner and Medical Examiner's Board, Member, 1998-2005
National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws, Commissioner, 1994-2005
Probate Judge of Jefferson County, 2005-2007

Adnelis Perez supports Grace & McEwan Consulting and its clients with matters related to government relations, public policy, research, and administration.

Before joining Grace & McEwan Consulting, Adnelis served as a Legislative Aide for State Representative Kronda Thimesch (R-Carrolton), where she managed constituent services and communications, as well as conducted research and policy analysis. She began her career as a Legislative Intern for the Association of Electric Companies of Texas (AECT), where she contributed to advocacy efforts on behalf of the state's electric industry in the legislature.

Ahead of the 89th legislative session, Adnelis was a panelist at UT Austin's 2025 Legislative Internship Seminar to speak on her experience navigating a legislative session to interns and new staff members working in and around the Texas Legislature.

In 2017, she represented the Escuela del Deporte de San Juan at the Federación de Atletismo de Puerto Rico's National Competition and the AAJI Juvenile Championship, in the event of 100-meter hurdles, where she earned an individual third-place national title and won multiple national titles as part of the 100-meter relay team.

Adnelis is a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin with a degree in Government and a minor in Law, Justice, and Society. She holds an Associate of Arts Degree with a focus in Political Science and Philosophy from Tarrant County College and is fluent in Spanish.

6-10 years

MARYLAND BAR FOUNDATION, 2022 Fellow.

LEADERSHIP MARYLAND, Class of 2021.

MSBA, LEADERSHIP ACADEMY, 2012-13 Fellow.

OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR
Former Senior Advisor to Lt. Governor Boyd K. Rutherford

OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL
Former Deputy Counsel for Legislative Affairs

Tabuteau, LLC is a boutique law firm representing businesses before the Maryland Office of the Governor, General Assembly, and state and local administrative agencies, boards, and commissions on procurement, legislative, and regulatory matters. Richard A. Tabuteau has represented dozens of clients on a diverse range of corporate matters. Prior to lobbying, Richard served as Senior Advisor to Lieutenant Governor Boyd K. Rutherford and before then as Deputy Counsel for Legislative Affairs for Attorney General Doug F. Gansler. As a result, Richard has deep relationships with key government officials across the political spectrum.

Richard began his career as a business litigation and maritime defense attorney. He is licensed to practice law in Maryland and the District of Columbia. Richard received his Bachelor's Degree from Binghamton University, Master's Degree from Cornell University, and Law Degree from Vanderbilt University.

Jay Williamson advocates on behalf of clients at the state and local levels. He is experienced in developing effective legislative strategies, navigating complex policy needs, analyzing policy, and supporting appropriations initiatives.

Jay has represented clients across a diverse range of issues, including telecommunications, county government, voting rights, business liability, tort reform, appropriations, public safety, and workforce development. He has helped clients navigate Texas state government and Austin City Hall while serving as a policy analyst for a Central Texas-based public safety 501(c)(3) organization.

Before joining Grace & McEwan Consulting, Jay spent five years as an associate at a boutique government relations firm in Austin and served as a legislative aide for Rep. Travis Clardy.

Jay is a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin with a McCombs Business Honors Degree and a minor in business and public policy.

FRANK D. BOSTON, III has more than 22 years experience representing individuals and small and large companies in the Maryland legislature and in courts throughout the state. He received his law degree from the University of Baltimore School of Law, where he was a recipient of the James May Scholarship, the Chief Justice of the law school's honor court, a member of the Moot Court Board, teacher's assistant, and an American Jurisprudence awardee.

Prior to launching his own firm, Mr. Boston served as a law clerk with Whiteford, Taylor, and Preston and with the Felony Trial Division of Baltimore's Office of the Public Defender, and he worked in public affairs and government relations in both Annapolis and Baltimore.

Mr. Boston earned his undergraduate B.S. degree from Bucknell University, where he was not only a four-year varsity letterman in lacrosse and junior varsity basketball, but also a member of the Dean's List and the student his classmates elected to deliver their Senior Commencement Speech. Frank also achieved the rank of Eagle Scout in the Boy Scouts of America.

Before becoming an attorney, Mr. Boston worked for several years as a retail bond trader on Wall Street. During those years, Mr. Boston honed his analytical and quantitative skills as he assembled complex information in a position that demanded that he think and react quickly — all under pressure and with poise. Today those skills serve him well in both the courtroom and the Legislature.

An active member of the community, Mr. Boston has served on the Boards of Directors of The Dyslexia Tutoring Program and the Children's Chorus of Maryland and Learning, Inc. He is a former member of the Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees of The Park School, his alma mater, and is currently a member of the Board of Directors of Baltimore's public radio station, WYPR. He is also a board member of the Baltimore Animal Rescue Shelter (BARCS).

Andrea Chavez advises clients on state and local public policy matters. She is experienced in devising effective policy strategies, drafting, analyzing, and monitoring legislation, and navigating clients through the legislative process and government agencies. Andrea has lived in Brazil, London, and Mexico and is deeply invested in furthering Texas-Mexico commercial ties by locating and helping develop beneficial projects for Grace & McEwan Consulting's clients.

Prior to joining Grace & McEwan Consulting, Andrea was a member of the government relations sections at both Greenberg Traurig, LLP, and Baker Botts L.L.P. and began her career as a legislative aide to Rep. David M. Leibowitz (D-San Antonio). During the 87th legislative session, she served as policy advisor to the Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives, Dade Phelan (R-Beaumont), her areas of expertise included county affairs, local government, transportation, and urban affairs. Andrea also has deep political campaign experience, having served as a Bexar County field representative for the Republican Party of Texas during the 2014 election cycle.

Andrea holds a B.A. in Economics and Political Science from St. Mary's University, and she is fluent in Spanish and French.

0-5 years

An expert in legislative and regulatory affairs, Matthew is a seasoned government relations professional and strategic communications specialist who puts his expertise to use for a wide variety of sectors.

A U.S. Army veteran who served in Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan, Matthew has worked to improve benefits for first responders, including enacting new rules to help firefighters who get cancer on the job. He’s also worked to create innovative job training programs for developmentally disabled youth and adults.

Matthew was a key lobbyist for the Marijuana Policy Project to successfully legalize cannabis in Massachusetts and advises new cannabis companies on municipal licensing, compliance, business strategy and community engagement. Additionally, he has advised clients with municipal development projects as a consultant on construction, building trade and general union issues.

Prior to joining Tenax, Matthew worked as director of communications and intergovernmental relations for the Massachusetts Department of Veterans’ Services. In that role, he worked with every state agency and the Massachusetts legislature on veterans’ issues. He also worked on economic development issues, including helping launch a program with the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce to link veterans with employment opportunities and advocating for a veteran-owned business preference for state contracting. Prior to DVS, Matthew spent seven years working for state Senator Steven Tolman as his chief of staff and district director.

A graduate of the University of Connecticut with a degree in political science, Matthew is a 22-year member of the U.S. Army National Guard. He currently serves as a Chief Warrant Officer 3 and a Blackhawk helicopter instructor pilot. He also serves on the boards of Massachusetts Fallen Heroes and Alternative Treatment for Veterans, a nonprofit that advocates for cannabis therapy for vets.

He lives in Braintree with his wife and two children.

20+ years

James M. Demers is the founder of The Demers Group and Demers, Blaisdell Inc., he presently serves as President & CEO of Demers, Blaisdell & Prasol Inc. Mr. Demers is a former member of the New Hampshire House of Representatives and former congressional candidate. He has over 40 years of experience in the legislative, regulatory and political fields. He has been a political commentator for numerous media outlets including ABC News, CNN, MSNBC, Fox News as well as NH news stations WMUR-TV, WBIN-TV and New England Cable News. He has been actively involved in advising presidential campaigns, serving as co-chairman of President Barack Obama's NH campaign in 2008. He presently serves on the advisory board of the NH Institute of Politics at St. Anselm College, chairman of the NH International Trade Advisory Commission and he is a "political insider" for Politico and the National Journal. He was nominated by President Obama and confirmed by the US Senate to serve on the Board of Directors of the Overseas Private Investment Corporation, which is the country's development financial institution. He has been recognized by numerous state and national publications as one of New Hampshire's "most influential" and "most powerful" people. He is a graduate of the University of Miami (FL) and he holds an MBA from Southern New Hampshire University. He served three terms in the NH House where he served as the Assistant Minority Whip. He has also served as President and Executive Director of the New England-New York-New Jersey Financial Services Association and the National Card Coalition after doing corporate government affairs work for two national financial services companies. He is a resident of Concord, NH.

Greg has been a force in public affairs and lobbying for the past 18 years, helping execute effective and successful government relations and public policy strategies for Fortune 500 companies, corporations, non-profits, labor organizations and trade associations.

A graduate of Oregon State University, Greg grew up in Natick and is well-known in Massachusetts and Washington, D.C. political circles, as he’s worked with many of Massachusetts’ top elected officials, including U.S. Rep. Stephen F. Lynch, U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton and former Lt. Gov. Tim Murray, among others.

Greg served as Chief Operating Officer of one of Boston’s most successful communications and public affairs firms before launching the public affairs division at Tenax in 2016 with his brother Pete.

Greg is an expert at public affairs, especially in highly-regulated industries. He’s worked effectively and successfully at the local, state and federal level, including representing interests in multiple states across the country for global corporations. He’s built coalitions to support strong public policies at every level of government, lobbied lawmakers locally and nationally, and created innovative strategies to overcome regulatory and legislative roadblocks for a variety of businesses and organizations.

His specialties include long- and short-term strategic planning; media and public affairs strategy; message development and discipline; earned media consulting; and managing grassroots, employee, stakeholder and customer communication mobilizations to impact public policy.

Whether it's fighting for free industry, creating protections for health care consumers, waging a local public affairs campaign, engaging elected officials to advance public policy or helping a business cut through legislative or regulatory red tape, Greg has the experience, relationships and knowledge to draft a strategic blueprint to get the job done.