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

6-10 years

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

Perennial Top 5 Lobbying Firms since 2018

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

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.

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