6-10 years

As a seasoned and respected government relations professional, Garrett has built a reputation for hard work and tireless advocacy for his clients. Having previously worked in both the Legislative and Executive branches of Tennessee state government, as well as the private sector in Nashville, his work experience affords him a unique perspective.

Garrett started his legislative career as a Policy and Research Analyst for former House Majority Leader Gerald McCormick where he forged deep and long-lasting relationships with legislators and legislative staff.
Garrett later transitioned to Governor Bill Haslam's office where he became his Deputy Director for Legislation and managed a network of agency and department liaisons. Prior to creating his
own firm, Garrett spent four years at The Ingram Group where he provided strategic counsel and government relations expertise to a wide collection of clients at the state and local levels.

In the summer of 2022, Garrett created his own government relations practice, Johnson Capitol Solutions LLC, where he leverages his vast experience and insight into Tennessee state government to help clients take advantage of opportunities and solve problems in any given arena.

11-15 years

Past president of Association of Connecticut Lobbyists

Featured presenter at the CT Lobbying Conference on "Lobbying the Executive Branch" the past four years.

2019 Hartford Business Journal Forty Under 40

Over ten years of municipal land use experience on Planning and Zoning/Zoning Board of Appeals

Served as point person for the CT Conference of Municipalities on Energy, Labor and Zoning topics.

13 years of experience in contract lobbying; three years of experience in state and municipal government.

Randal Johnson joined Southern Strategy Group (Louisiana) after serving as Deputy Commissioner of the Louisiana Department of Agriculture & Forestry (LDAF) for fourteen years and brings applied experience in the legislative process to the SSG team. While at LDAF, Randal initiated and handled the department's legislative package for more than twenty sessions. Prior to joining the LDAF, he supervised multi-jurisdictional drug enforcement units and served as chief of the special investigative divisions for the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff's Department. There, Randal drafted and presented legislation on behalf of law enforcement and parochial governments.

Adept at issues and crisis management, Randal supervised the Department of Agriculture's emergency preparation activities related to animal and plant health and weather-borne disasters. In the aftermath of the devastating 2005 hurricanes, Randal personally supervised the successful acquisition and delivery of fuel for the evacuation, rescue, and recovery efforts across the state.

With political activities ranging across both party and geographical lines, Randal, who holds a B.S. in business administration, has consulted and worked in various local, state, and federal campaigns in his native state of Louisiana. He was recognized as one of the top 100 "Louisiana Influencers" by Campaigns & Elections' Politics magazine. Randal has also coordinated successful statewide get- out-the-vote efforts for elected offices ranging from Police Juror to President of the United States. In addition, he graduated from regional and national law enforcement academies administered by the Department of Justice.

0-5 years

A veteran campaign and policy analyst with more than a decade of high-level experience, Don Johnson leads SRG's extensive research and reporting efforts. In this role, Don provides clients with unmatched insights into policy debates, state and national political campaigns, and other public affairs intelligence to help inform business and legislative objectives.

Don launched his career as the Executive Director of the Republican Party of Shelby County where he recruited and trained volunteers for campaigns, helped to organize record-breaking fundraising events, dramatically grew e-mail advocacy reach, and put his organization at the forefront of emerging technology.

After leaving the Republican Party of Shelby County, Don was tapped to join the district staff of then-U.S. Representative Marsha Blackburn (TN-07), helping constituents navigate the complexities of federal agencies. He moved to Nashville in 2012 to join the Haslam Administration, climbing the ranks to become the governor's head of constituent services and community relations, a role that allowed Don to leverage his knowledge of the breadth of state agencies and services to provide referrals and support to constituents.

In 2019, Don was asked to continue leading the Constituent Services office for Governor Bill Lee, solidifying his reputation as one of the country's longest-serving constituent services directors who has been routinely called upon to give presentations and offer guidance to gubernatorial administrations in other states.

Ronnie L. Johnson is Of Counsel to the firm. Prior to joining the firm, he served as Deputy Commissioner of Insurance, Office of Property and Casualty, for Louisiana. He also represented the Commissioner of Insurance as Chairman of the Louisiana Insurance Rating Commission, liaison to the Louisiana Insurance Guaranty Association, liaison to the Louisiana Life and Health Guaranty Association, member of the NAIC Surplus Lines Task Force, member of the NAIC International Insurers Department Plan of Operation Review Group, served as Chairman of the Louisiana Property Insurance Task Force, and was appointed to the Board of Directors of the Property Insurance Association of Louisiana.

Ronnie L. Johnson maintains an insurance regulatory, governmental relations, health care and general litigation practice which involves representing businesses that have issues with government or wish to transact business with government. Mr. Johnson's insurance regulatory practice spans all fifty states and the District of Columbia. He represents insurance companies with licensing, market conduct, solvency and reinsurance matters and represents insurance producers in licensing and market conduct matters.

Mr. Johnson previously served as Deputy Commissioner of Insurance, Office of Property and Casualty, for Louisiana. He also represented the Commissioner of Insurance as Chairman of the Louisiana Insurance Rating Commission, liaison to the Louisiana Insurance Guaranty Association, liaison to the Louisiana Life and Health Insurance Guaranty Association, member of the NAIC Surplus Lines Task Force, member of the NAIC International Insurers Department Plan of Operation Review Group, served as Chairman of the Louisiana Property Insurance Task force, and was appointed to the Board of Directors of the Property Insurance Association of Louisiana.