THE ADVOCACY GROUP
(50 states, Federal and DC, )703-597-4276
1201 Wilson Blvd., 27th Floor, Arlington, VA, 22209,
Subjects: All Subjects
TAG is a one-stop, results-oriented network for clients with needs in a single state or multiple jurisdictions. The TAG network consists of one top firm per jurisdiction or specialty. Collectively we are 60+ firms including lobbyists across the US, public affairs specialists in various countries (Australia, Canada, Mexico, Russia, CIS, Central Asia, Central & Eastern Europe, Turkey, Israel, United Kingdom and the European Union) and specialty services (50-state legislative and regulatory tracking, grassroots, jury selection, market entry strategy and social enterprise business development).
Each TAG member offers its clients a tailored strategy that will provide them with a solution. Our TAG members are an integrated team, both near and far throughout the world, yet offering insight within each location.
The TAG network consists of the top lobbying firms across the US, public affairs specialists in various countries and specialty services.
US Members:
50-States
DC Council
US Congress
International:
Profile Consulting (Aust) Pty Ltd (Australia)
Tactix (Canada)
Monarch Global Strategies (Mexico, Central & South America)
Kesarev (Russia, CIS, Central Asia, Central & Eastern Europe, Turkey & Israel)
Instinctif Partners (United Kingdom & the European Union)
Specialty members:
Five Corners Strategies (Grassroots Advocacy & Public Affairs)
FOCUS, a Leonine Business (50-State Legislative & Regulatory Tracking & Analysis)
Select Litigation (Jury Selection)
Bullpen, LLC (Market Entry Strategy)
The Virtuous Cycle Collaboratory (Social Enterprise Business Development)
Law Offices of Mitchell D. Gravo, Inc. (Specialty Member)
We're a father/son team, therefore I'm very much by the book. I shop bills first to educate and fish out any opposition and will let a sponsor know that I oppose their bill before I kill it. You can put on a good show but in the end its all about votes. We get votes. I'm also a former reporter which aids in our PR efforts.
11-15 years
Arkansas College Media Award winner for photo and print
Arkansas Business 30 under 30
National Junior Chamber President's Medal of Honor winner and Ambassador to Japan
Arkansas Junior Chamber Star Award
Our representation for energy and insurance clients keeps us close to the Insurance and Commerce Committees. Our pharmaceutical and other health related clients keep us close to the Public Health Committees. However, we regularly have bills in other committees and can successfully lobby the entire house and senate.
We have relationships all over our state government. If we don't know someone already we will find an introduction. We specialize in cultivating long term relationships with people and always remain loyal to our friends and those that help us.
My father returned home to Harrison, Arkansas after playing for the Denver Broncos for a few years and began working as a sales rep for Blue Cross and Blue Shield. Over the next decade he worked his way up to VP of marketing. In 1986 I was 8 years old and he was asked to be something called a "lobbyist". I immediately was in love. I knew at eight years old that I wanted to be a lobbyist when I grew up. Believe it or not I planned my life accordingly.
In the early 90's the newspapers had painted a target on all of the lobbyists in Arkansas. Dad had a heated exchange with a legislator and an editorialist took some liberties with article. I knew then that I wanted to join the media before lobbying in order to avoid anything like that. In high school, I managed the local GNC, volunteered for every campaign that I could and took summer work at the capitol as a driver and staffer for our Treasurer and Attorney General. I took some journalism courses and immediately got a job as a reporter when I started college.
After college I was an inaugural staff member for Governor Mike Beebe. After serving as a policy adviser I left to join my father's firm, Phillips Management and Consulting Service. After having a very successful run under a Democratic administration, we had a very smooth transition into the next Republican administration with myself serving on incoming Governor Asa Hutchinson's transition team in the areas of the Department of Human Services and the Department of Information Systems.
We love our job. Neither my father nor myself plan to retire. We want to lobby as long as we can.
In 2009 I started a company called LobbyUp. I was disappointed with the only bill tracking service available in Arkansas so I built my own. We now have over 50,000 users in 14 states and we'll continue to add states until we are in all 50 and congress. We have a free mobile app for android and ios.
870-404-2741
PO Box 134, Little Rock, AR, 72203,
Subjects: Agencies/Regulations, Alcohol, Appropriations/Budgets, Business/Commerce, Cannabis/Drug Legalization, City/County Government, Energy/Utilities, Environment/Recycling, Food/Restaurants, Gaming, Health Care, Insurance, Medicare/Medicaid, Pharmaceuticals, RFP/Procurement, Telecommunications, Tobacco, Tourism/Hospitality, Transportation/Vehicles
I help businesses, associations and organizations navigate Arkansas state government when the outcome matters to their operations, their industry or their future in the state. My work includes legislative strategy and advocacy, state agency matters, regulatory issues, procurement and government contracts, with particular experience in healthcare and other regulated industries.
What I bring to that work is experience from both sides of Arkansas government. I served three terms in the Arkansas House of Representatives, including as Chair of the House Public Health, Welfare and Labor Committee, and later served in senior leadership at the Arkansas Department of Human Services, including as Chief of Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs and Chief of Staff.
That experience helps me look beyond the immediate legislative or agency issue and understand how decisions are actually developed, funded, implemented and administered. At 501 Strategies, I use that perspective to help clients identify the right people and process, understand the governmental landscape, develop a practical strategy and effectively advocate for their interests.
1) Aircraft Owners And Pilots Association
2) Area Agency on Aging of Western Arkansas
3) Arkansas Association of Area Agencies on Aging
4) Arkansas Electric Cooperatives, Inc.
5) Arkansas General Aviation Association
6) Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport
7) CareLink
8) Carvana
9) Cherokee Nation Entertainment, LLC
6-10 years
Three-term member of the Arkansas House of Representatives.
Former Chair, Arkansas House Public Health, Welfare and Labor Committee.
Former senior executive at the Arkansas Department of Human Services, including Chief of Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs and Chief of Staff.
Experience with major state-government matters involving Medicaid, agency budgets, rulemaking, procurement, RFPs, vendor contracts and program implementation.
Experience representing businesses, associations and organizations before both the Arkansas General Assembly and executive branch agencies.
Professional experience includes service in both the legislative and executive branches of Arkansas state government. As a state representative, I worked directly with members and leadership of the Arkansas General Assembly and chaired the House Public Health, Welfare and Labor Committee. At the Arkansas Department of Human Services, I worked with legislators, executive-branch officials, agency leadership, providers, contractors and other stakeholders on legislative, budget, Medicaid, regulatory, procurement and implementation matters. In private practice, I continue to represent clients before the Arkansas General Assembly, state agencies, boards and commissions. My value to clients is based on understanding the institutions, processes and responsibilities of Arkansas government rather than claiming any particular official relationship or access.
Kelley Linck is a Partner at 501 Strategies, LLC, a Little Rock-based Arkansas lobbying and government relations firm and successor to WSG Consulting. His work focuses on legislative strategy, state agency representation, regulatory advocacy, procurement and RFP strategy, government contracts, healthcare policy and other matters involving Arkansas state government.
Linck served three terms in the Arkansas House of Representatives, where he chaired the House Public Health, Welfare and Labor Committee. He later joined the Arkansas Department of Human Services in senior leadership, including service as Chief of Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs and Chief of Staff. His work at DHS involved Medicaid, agency budgets, rulemaking, procurement and RFPs, vendor contracts, legislative affairs and implementation of state programs and policy.
After leaving state government, Linck entered private-sector government relations and has represented businesses, associations and other organizations with interests before the Arkansas General Assembly and state agencies. His approach combines legislative experience with firsthand knowledge of executive-branch operations, allowing him to help clients address issues that may begin in the legislature, move through an agency, involve a procurement or contract, or require a strategy spanning several parts of state government.
501-593-3788
P.O. Box 134, Little Rock, AR, 72203,
I bring clients a combination of legal training and more than a decade of hands-on Arkansas government relations experience. I have been a registered Arkansas lobbyist since 2013, representing organizations in areas including city government, insurance, health care, higher education, utilities, telecommunications, business and Arkansas's regulated medical-cannabis industry.
As a practicing Arkansas attorney, I approach legislative and regulatory issues with an eye toward both the policy objective and the legal and practical consequences of how a proposal is written, interpreted and implemented. My legal practice also gives me experience with real estate, title, estate and business matters that can be particularly useful when public policy intersects with property, development, licensing or regulated activity.
At 501 Strategies, I work with clients to understand the issue, build relationships with the people affected by it, communicate the client's position clearly and help move a practical strategy through the legislative or regulatory process. I bring a different perspective to the 501 team: the combination of an active law practice, long-standing Capitol experience and a relationship-driven approach to government relations.
11-15 years
Registered Arkansas lobbyist since 2013.
Practicing Arkansas attorney since 2006.
Provided governmental affairs and consulting services to the City of Little Rock during the 90th Arkansas General Assembly.
Former President of the White County Bar Association.
B.B.A. in Business Management, Harding University.
Juris Doctor, University of Tulsa College of Law.
Admitted to practice in Arkansas and the United States District Courts for the Eastern and Western Districts of Arkansas.
Government-relations experience across municipal government, insurance, health care, higher education, utilities, telecommunications and business.
My government-relations experience dates to 2013 and includes representing clients before the Arkansas General Assembly and working on issues involving state and local government, regulatory matters and regulated industries. Past clients have included the City of Little Rock, Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield, Arkansas Tech University, Entergy Arkansas and AT&T, among others.
I represented the City of Little Rock, providing governmental affairs and consulting services during the 90th Arkansas General Assembly. That work included legislative matters ranging from appropriations to programs and legislative mandates affecting municipal government.
As an attorney, I also bring experience analyzing statutes, regulations, contracts and legal issues that can affect how a policy proposal works in practice. At 501 Strategies, I use that combination of legal training, legislative experience and established professional relationships to help clients navigate legislative and regulatory issues with clear communication and practical judgment.
Jeff Hoggard is Senior Advisor at 501 Strategies, LLC and a practicing Arkansas attorney with experience in government relations, public policy and regulated industries. He has been registered as an Arkansas lobbyist since 2013 and has represented clients in areas including municipal government, insurance, health care, higher education, utilities, telecommunications, business and Arkansas's regulated medical-cannabis industry. His past government-relations clients have included the City of Little Rock, Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield, Arkansas Tech University, Entergy Arkansas and AT&T. He currently represents Bold Industries, an Arkansas medical-cannabis cultivator.
In 2015, P. Jeff Hoggard, P.A. provided governmental affairs and consulting services to the City of Little Rock during the 90th Arkansas General Assembly. His work has included legislative advocacy, regulatory matters, appropriations and other issues affecting public and private-sector clients.
Hoggard earned a business degree from Harding University and a Juris Doctor from the University of Tulsa College of Law in 2006. He is licensed to practice law in Arkansas and in the United States District Courts for the Eastern and Western Districts of Arkansas. He has previously served as President of the White County Bar Association. His legal practice includes estate planning, trusts, probate and estate administration, and his broader professional experience includes real estate and title-related matters.
At 501 Strategies, Hoggard brings legal analysis, legislative experience and strong relationship-building skills to client matters involving the Arkansas General Assembly, state and local government, regulatory issues and business interests.
(501) 517-0551
650 South Shackleford Road, Suite 305, Little Rock, AR, 72211,
inVeritas is a leading global public affairs firm specializing in management consulting, public relations, government relations, and research. With decades of experience, inVeritas is the firm of choice for global companies - a recognized advisor and trusted resource for delivering critical intelligence and proven solutions to address complex business challenges.
Firm Specialties:
GOVERNMENT RELATIONS
The inVeritas team has worked at the highest levels of government and has the expertise to guide companies through the nuances of the regulatory, legislative, and administrative arenas. We have a proven track record for passing legislation, securing funding, building coalitions and providing cost containment on disputes.
MARKET RESEARCH
Accurate information is the cornerstone of an effective, winning strategy. Without it, critical decisions are uninformed and time and money are wasted. At inVeritas, each element of our research is carefully customized to meet our clients' objectives. We arm our clients with the intelligence crucial to market expansion, asset protection, and risk mitigation.
At inVeritas, we are proud to offer insight and help inform decisions for our nation's leading companies, law firms, nonprofits, and local, state, and federal governments.
PUBLIC RELATIONS
A strong communications and public relations operation is integral to success in every arena and every sector. Our award winning team helps clients through the various stages of their public relations needs, from crisis management to message development.
STRATEGIC CONSULTING
Our highly experienced consulting team designs actionable strategies to help clients achieve tangible results. With extensive legal, regulatory and government relations experience, our consultants evaluate performance, assess business practices, develop critical capabilities and deliver value by achieving compliance, uncovering opportunities and solving unique problems.
We specialize in administrative and compliance areas typically outside the normal course of business for organizations. As a result, we are in a unique position to provide meaningful insights and a broad range of capabilities, including deep industry knowledge of healthcare, energy, tax, public finance, procurement, transportation, information technology and cyber security.
RUTH H. WHITNEY is the founder and CEO of inVeritas. Ruth serves as a strategic advisor to clients based on over 25 years of expertise in law, government, politics and public opinion. She has been privileged to advise Global 500 companies, prominent professional services firms, state and federal governments, law firms, nonprofit corporations and industry associations.
Ruth earned her Juris Doctor from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock and graduated Phi Beta Kappa from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville. She is a member of the Arkansas Bar Association and is admitted to practice in Arkansas and the U.S. District Courts in Arkansas. Ruth has also been admitted pro hac vice in various jurisdictions in the course of her service as a national jury consultant.
Before founding inVeritas, Ruth built and managed the Arkansas office of Global Strategy Group where she specialized in executing winning campaigns in the public and private sectors. Prior to joining GSG, Ruth served as counsel and chief of staff to Attorney General Mike Beebe and developed professional relationships with attorneys general across the country. Ruth has extensive legal and management experience, including over 10 years as a healthcare and administrative lawyer with the Arkansas Department of Human Services and as Counsel to Mitchell, Williams, Selig, Gates & Woodyard.
Ruth has served as a guest writer to Talk Business and currently serves on a number of boards of directors including the Little Rock Chamber of Commerce; Arkansas Cinema Society; Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance; New Design School; and Little Red River Foundation. Ruth serves on the advisory board of NanoMech Inc., a nanomanufacturing innovation and product development firm. She also serves her state and community as a member of Leadership Arkansas, Accelerate Arkansas and the Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce.
GC Advisors is an Arkansas-based government relations and public affairs firm representing businesses, associations, healthcare organizations, nonprofits, and other organizations before state and local government. Led by Managing Partner Christian Gonzalez, the firm combines experience inside Arkansas state government with a team-based approach to legislative, regulatory, and public-affairs matters. GC Advisors works with clients across a broad range of industries and provides strategic counsel, government relations, legislative advocacy, regulatory engagement, and stakeholder outreach throughout Arkansas.
1) 1836 Club
3) ACOG ( American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists)
4) AEP Southwestern Electric Power Company
7) ARCare
8) Arkansas Association of Real Estate Inspectors
9) Arkansas Chapter American Academy of Pediatrics
10) Arkansas Chapter of American Society of Landscape Architects
11) Arkansas District Judges Council
12) Arkansas Hospice
14) Arkansas Public Safety Solutions
15) Arkansas Speech-Language Hearing Association
16) Arkansas State Golf Association
17) Arkansas Tobacco Wholesalers
18) AVAIO Digital
20) Capitol Law Firm
21) Centegix
22) Circle of Life
23) Concourse Tech
24) Dark Horse Medicinals, LLC
25) Dive Bar, LLC
27) DTR Strategies
28) Elevance Health, and its affiliates
31) GC Advisors
32) Good Grid
33) Groundwork
35) HB Strategies
37) Hospice of the Ozarks Inc.
41) Natural State Consulting LLC
43) NWA Homebuilders Association
44) Panasonic Connect North America
45) Pfizer Inc.
50) Share Our Strength (No Kid Hungry Arkansas)
52) The 51 Group
54) Turn Key Mobile
56) UCB
58) Uniti Group
61) Waste Management of Arkansas, Inc. dba WM
63) Yes. Every Kid
0-5 years
GC Advisors has represented a diverse portfolio of national companies, Arkansas businesses, healthcare organizations, utilities, technology companies, professional and trade associations, nonprofits, and other organizations before Arkansas state and local government. The firm's professionals bring experience from state government, legislative and regulatory affairs, law, public policy, and political and public-affairs work.
Christian previously served in government relations and policy roles in the administrations of Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson and Attorney General Leslie Rutledge. GC Advisors regularly represents clients before the Arkansas General Assembly, constitutional offices, state agencies and regulatory bodies, and local governments throughout Arkansas. The firm's work encompasses legislative and regulatory affairs, government relations, public policy, procurement and funding matters, and stakeholder engagement.
Christian Gonzalez is Managing Partner of GC Advisors, an Arkansas-based government relations and public affairs firm serving businesses, associations, healthcare organizations, nonprofits, and other organizations with interests before state and local government. Before entering the private sector, Christian served in government relations and policy roles in the administrations of Governor Asa Hutchinson and Attorney General Leslie Rutledge. His public-sector experience provided firsthand knowledge of Arkansas's legislative and executive branches and the state policymaking process. Today, Christian leads a team of government relations professionals with experience across a wide range of policy areas and regulated industries. GC Advisors advises clients on matters before the Arkansas General Assembly, constitutional offices, state agencies and regulatory bodies, and local governments. The firm's practice includes healthcare, education, energy and utilities, telecommunications, technology, public safety, financial services, insurance, housing and real estate, agriculture, gaming, infrastructure, professional associations, and other regulated industries. GC Advisors is headquartered in Little Rock and serves clients throughout Arkansas.
