Tony is an attorney and policy expert with extensive experience in legislative strategy, budget development, and executive branch operations. He has shaped major state initiatives and advised senior state government leaders across a range of high-impact issues. From 2019 to 2023, he served as Policy Director for Tennessee Governor Bill Lee, where he developed landmark proposals in education, tax, healthcare, and workforce development. His leadership produced several major legislative wins, including the Tennessee Works Tax Act, the Education Savings Account program, and the TennCare III waiver. His role in the administration expanded during the COVID-19 pandemic when he led federal and multi-state relations, while also managing the distribution of more than $6 billion in federal relief through the state's Financial Stimulus Accountability Group.
4) Alliance Healthcare Services, Inc.
5) Aunt Bertha, a Public Benefit Corporation d/b/a findhelp
6) BlackRock Funds Services Group, LLC
9) Campaign for Great Public Schools dba as City Fund Action
14) Cognia
15) Communities In Schools of Tennessee
16) Critical Nurse Staffing, LLC
17) Curriculum Associates, LLC
22) Esper Regulatory Technologies Inc.
23) Fisk University
25) Goodwill Industries of Middle Tennessee, Inc.
26) Greater Nashville Regional Council
28) Jackson Madison County School System
29) Junior Achievement of Middle Tennessee
30) Kleo, Inc. d/b/a ClassWallet
31) Knox County
33) Koch Government Affairs, LLC and Affiliates
35) Maximus, Inc.
36) Memphis Brooks Museum of Art Inc
37) Memphis Shelby Crime Commission
38) Memphis-Shelby County Airport Authority
39) Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare
40) Nareit
41) Nashville Soccer Holdings, LLC
43) PathGroup
44) PayIt, LLC
46) Possip, Inc.
48) Salesforce, Inc.
50) SH Advisors LLC
52) Southeastern University, Inc
53) Southern College of Optometry
54) STV Incorporated
55) SWVP NYards Services Company LLC
56) Tech901
57) Tennessean's for Quality Early Education
58) Tennessee Charter School Center
60) Tremco CPG Inc.
61) Uptown Property Holdings LLC
62) WASTE MANAGEMENT
Tony Niknejad is a distinguished policy strategist and government relations expert, skilled in the areas of legislative advocacy, fiscal management, and strategic planning. Tony assists clients with navigating the Tennessee political landscape, orchestrating policy and legislative initiatives, and steering comprehensive advocacy and public engagement campaigns. From 2019 to 2023, he was the Policy Director for Tennessee Governor Bill Lee, serving as a key advisor and leader for the Governor's Cabinet and leading many of the Administration's major policy reforms. As policy director, Tony also played a critical role in Governor Lee's successful 2018 campaign and post-election transition. Tony spearheaded key policy initiatives across a wide span, specializing in education, workforce, tax and healthcare policy.