20+ years

Mr. Barnes has been directly involved in Arizona's public policy arena since receiving a Master's degree in Economics from the University of Arizona in 1994. He has actively participated in the last eighteen Legislative Sessions as a policy analyst, as a lobbyist for an association of governments and most recently as a private practice lobbyist.

Over the last eighteen years, Mr. Barnes has worked on a variety of legislative issues, in the areas of education policy and finance, healthcare, transportation, taxation, appropriations and State budget issues. He has been the lead lobbyist on a number of major legislative issues, including healthcare finance, transportation, electric deregulation and State budget issues. He has provided his clients with legislative analyses, advised them on public policy issues and assisted them in developing and implementing legislative strategy.

By representing clients with issues that affect every area of the State, Mr. Barnes has been able to cultivate relationships with legislators from all areas of the State. Through volunteering and assisting with their campaigns, he has been able to develop additional legislative contacts.

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).