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)
I represent a number of clients across different industries and I zealously advocate for my clients.
1) ABC Stores of South Carolina
5) Charles River Laboratories International Inc.
8) Citadel
12) Easter Seals South Carolina
14) Flock Safety
15) Gaggle.Net Inc
17) Independent Pharmacies of SC
22) MPD Electric Cooperative, Inc.
23) NAIFA-SC
25) QTS York, LLC
26) SC Association of the Deaf, Inc.
28) South Carolina Academy of Anesthesiologist Assistants
29) South Carolina Association of Special Purpose Districts
30) South Carolina Water Utilities, Inc.
31) Sun Life U.S. Financial Services
32) The Children's Trust of SC
34) TitleMax of South Carolina, Inc.
35) Triton Management Services LLC
38) Wellpath Recovery Solutions, LLC
39) Yondr Inc
6-10 years
Brian serves as a senior vice president for McGuireWoods Consulting's state government affairs group in Columbia, South Carolina. Brian represents clients before the state legislature, local governments and executive branch agencies.
Representing a diverse group of clients on a range of issues including energy, transportation, education, alcohol, retail and non-profit advocacy, Brian has helped pass legislation related to emerging transportation, alcoholic beverage control laws and the energy industry. He has extensive experience in developing and implementing comprehensive government, grassroots and public affairs strategies for his clients.
Prior to joining McGuireWoods Consulting, Brian worked on a number of political and grassroots campaigns, and worked for Congressman Joe Wilson in his district office. Upon graduation from The Citadel, Brian took a commission in the Army as a Military Intelligence Officer. In 2010, he was deployed to Afghanistan with the 1-178th Field Artillery Battalion and served as the unit's Tactical Intelligence Officer. He is currently a Captain in the South Carolina Army National Guard and serves as the legislative liaison.
Brian lives in Columbia with his wife, where they are raising their two daughters.
(803) 513-7847
1221 Main Street, Suite 1800, Columbia, SC, 29201,
Burr Forman McNair's counseling of governmental entities is a seamless web of experience and capabilities. Just as we understand how state and local governments work at the administrative and legislative levels, our professional credibility with these decision-makers enhances our ability to counsel counties, municipalities and special purpose entities throughout the state.
Firm Specialties:
Our firm has a long history representing county governments, school districts, and dozens of municipalities across the Southeast. We not only serve as general counsel to some of these clients - our team often serve as special counsel on administrative, environmental, financing, immigration, land use and other matters. At the intersection of multiple local government and business interests, Burr attorneys direct the administrative and legal traffic so that public purposes and private needs are integrated for the common good.
2) American Family Life Assurance Company
3) American International Group, Inc.
4) Beaufort Board of Education
6) Carolinas Credit Union League
10) DonorsChoose
11) EBSCO
12) Fort Mill School District No. 4 of York County
13) Holcim Participations US Inc.
14) InState Partner
15) Instructure
16) International Paper Company
17) Interstate Transportation Equipment
18) JM Family Enterprises, Inc.
20) Lotto.com South Carolina LLC
21) Pacaso
22) Piedmont Municipal Power Agency
23) Prisma Health
24) Revenue Based Finance Coalition
25) SC Association of School Administrators
LYNN STOKES-MURRAY serves as the Government Relations Director in Burr Forman McNair's Columbia office. Lynn is a governmental affairs and lobbying consultant who represents clients at the South Carolina State House and in local government matters.
Prior to joining the firm, Lynn was actively involved in numerous political campaigns across the state, including managing a South Carolina Congressional race in 1988. She has authored and implemented grassroots plans for major corporations to engage employees in the political process. Additionally, she drafts legislation and has extensive knowledge of the legislative rules and appropriations process.
Lynn recently served as chairperson and continues on the board of The Advocacy Group (TAG), which was established in 1992 as the first international public affairs and government relations corporation to provide a diverse array of professional advocacy services internationally.
Robin is an assistant vice president with McGuireWoods Consulting's South Carolina state government relations team. She assists legislative tracking and monitoring, lobbying, and association management. Robin has experience in many industries including technology, healthcare, banking and finance, public utilities, nonprofit, and insurance. Robin is a native of South Carolina and earned her undergraduate degree from the University of South Carolina and is a candidate for a Master of Public Administration degree at Clemson University.
0-5 years
8032512302
1301 Gervais Street, Suite 1050, Columbia, SC, 29201,
Subjects: All Subjects
Links:Website
1) ABC Stores of South Carolina
2) Association for the Blind & Visually Impaired South Carolina
3) Comporium
5) Lancaster County Water and Sewer District
8) LRADAC
9) MPD Electric Cooperative, Inc.
11) QTS York, LLC
14) South Carolina Assisted Living Association
15) South Carolina Association of Special Purpose Districts
16) South Carolina Community Health Worker Association
17) South Carolina Water Utilities, Inc.
18) Sun Life U.S. Financial Services
20) University Of South Carolina
Launched Cornerstone's 13th state office in South Carolina
Former Chief of Staff and Legal Counsel for the South Carolina House Ways and Means Committee
803-251-2301
1301 Gervais St., Suite 1050, Columbia, SC, 29201,
Subjects: All Subjects
Links:Website
I was Governor of South Carolina from 1999-2003, and built a national practice advising clients on issues with the nation's governors, banking regulators, and insurance commissioners. I also work with our South Carolina team on various projects specific to our state.
15-20 years
National Co-Chair of Obama Presidential Campaign, 2008
Best Lawyers in America, 2008 - 2020
Lawyer of the Year, Government Relations Practice, Columbia, SC, Best Lawyers, 2020
I provide weekly summaries on your legislation, as well as strategic guidance on your legislation with your key contact(s) and will remain in continuous communications on the progress and the strategic planning of your legislation. You have my commitment to represent you in the most professional, reliable and ethical manner, and to support you every step through the legislative process. Thank you for the opportunity to be considered, and I am happy to provide any additional information you may need as you select a firm to represent your interest.
20+ years
JoLee Gudmundson has been providing governmental relations for over 20 years in South Carolina and has represented major business and association interests before the SC General Assembly, SC Congressional Delegation and state agency regulatory bodies.
Founded in 1998, Gudmundson Consulting is a bipartisan firm that represents a range of lobbying, monitoring, and public policy issues. Her expertise includes, healthcare, judicial, criminal law, banking and finance as well as non-profit, business and corporate interests.
She is experienced in facilitating industry working groups and maintaining good relationships with allied organizations and state licensing agencies. She is a frequent speaker providing continuing education credits for her clients as well as other nonprofit organizations.
JoLee has a Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communication and Journalism from Winthrop University.
As an active volunteer within her community and South Carolina, JoLee serves on several committees and boards, including the State Advisory Board for the South Carolina Small Business Development Center and the Board of Trustees for a leading Independent School in the Southeast.
0-5 years
Sara joined McGuireWoods Consulting after six years with the SC Association of REALTORS as their director of political affairs. In that capacity, she managed the SC REALTORS Political Action Committee Board of Trustees, fundraising, finances, disbursements, ethics reporting, independent expenditure campaigns, and public policy campaigns.
Prior to that she served as executive assistant/scheduler to U.S. Congressman Tom Rice in Washington, DC. Her previous experience also includes campaign fundraising for multiple members of the South Carolina General Assembly and members of Congress.
Sara has a public relations degree from the University of South Carolina and is currently pursuing her Master's in business administration at the Darla Moore School of Business at the University of South Carolina.
Dwight has the experience, skills and relationships necessary to effectively represent your interests and advocate on your behalf. Over the years he has accomplished much legislatively and politically for his clients.
20+ years
Silver Crescent LLC is the South Carolina lobbying, government relations and consulting practice of Dwight Cauthen. Dwight has over two decades of experience in this arena and has developed close working relationships with legislative leadership and key decision makers at all levels of state government.
Dwight has been working in and around the State House since his freshman year in college. He has the experience, skills and relationships necessary to effectively represent your interests and advocate on your behalf. Over the years he has accomplished much legislatively and politically for his clients.
Prior to lobbying, Dwight served as first executive director of the South Carolina Senate Republican Caucus under then Leader and now President Pro Tempore and Finance Committee Chairman Hugh Leatherman. He left the caucus to join the lobbying team of the state's largest law firm and in 2003 started his own practice.
Dwight paged for House Speaker Bob Sheheen, worked for Governors Carroll Campbell and David Beasley, and served as US Senate campaign communications director for Congressman Bob Inglis.
Dwight majored in political science at the University of South Carolina and later received his masters in public relations there.
My goal is to strategically serve each client as though their reputation and interests are my own. I pride myself in being honest and forthcoming not only with my clients but with the legislators and staff I work with.
0-5 years
-Successfully lobbied against an alliance of two trade associations and two cabinet agencies to defeat a piece of legislation that would put a client out of business.
-Successfully lobbied the General Assembly for funds allocated to a client through the budget process.
-Participated with other business lobbyists to pass safe harbor legislation that protected business during the pandemic.
-Successfully lobbied for additional funding authorization for coastal and tourism initiatives.
Have built relationships with legislators, committee staff, and members of government agencies as well as the governors office.
William Bowers is a lobbyist at Capitol Information Affiliates. He is a graduate of Clemson University with a degree in agriculture and business. A native of Columbia, SC he has deep roots in the community and state. He has extensive background in farming with an emphasis in wildlife and land management. His goal to provide top level research, develop plans and implement calls to action through legislative lobbying for clients. He is an active member at Church of the Apostles where he serves as an usher. In his spare time William enjoys hunting, fishing and spending time with his wife and Boykin Spaniel.
803.255.8000
1221 Main Street, Suite 1100, Columbia, SC, 29201,
Vicki Parker is a principal with Parker Poe Consulting and has more than 35 years of lobbying and consulting experience on both the state and national level.
20+ years
Ms. Parker served as Director of the Political Division for the Republican National Committee, managing a staff of more than 40 and coordinating all Republican races on the local, state and national levels. In addition, Ms. Parker has experience in managing a national political campaign that carried the states in which she was the lead political operative. Her years in Washington helped her develop lasting relationships on both sides of the aisle. Ms. Parker has over 10 years of experience working with telecommunication companies and dealing with those issues. She has represented entities including the SC Cable Television Association as well as AT&T. For five years, Ms. Parker served as Vice President of Governmental Affairs for the Greenville Chamber of Commerce, where she successfully lobbied the General Assembly for issues impacting urban areas.
864-240-3200
75 Beattie Place, Suite 300, Greenville, SC, 29601,
Subjects: All Subjects
Links:Website
Ms. Kent has spent her professional career working in and around South Carolina government
11-15 years
Kimberly V. Kent joined Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd, P.A., in December 2011, as a lobbyist and consultant, to form Copper Dome Strategies, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of the law firm. She will be based in the firm's Greenville office when the South Carolina General Assembly is not in session and in the Columbia office during the session.
Ms. Kent has spent her professional career working in and around South Carolina government. Prior to joining Copper Dome Strategies, LLC, she spent four years with another private consulting group representing a variety of clients, including small businesses, Fortune 500 companies, nonprofit organizations, professional trade associations and specific issue coalitions, on matters before federal, state, and local governments.
Ms. Kent began her legislative and legal career working as the vice president for governmental relations for the South Carolina Manufacturers Alliance (SCMA). In this role, she represented the interests of many of South Carolina's largest companies on issues related to economic development, environment, taxes, labor and employment and healthcare, before state agencies, the governor's Office and the S.C. General Assembly.
Following this position, Ms. Kent served as the governmental affairs director and assistant general counsel for the South Carolina Department of Commerce. While at the state's leading industrial recruiting agency, she was the primary liaison for the agency between the executive branch and the S.C. General Assembly on all state funding matters relating to commerce, statutory changes relating to tax incentives and for any and all legislative changes needed by the agency to assist companies interested in expanding or locating new economic development projects in South Carolina.
In 2005, Ms. Kent joined the South Carolina Medical Association as the chief policy officer of the statewide trade association that serves more than 6,000 physicians. During her tenure, Ms. Kent served as the association's general counsel, directed all legislative initiatives before the S.C. General Assembly and the executive branch and managed the recruitment and renewal of physician memberships. She was responsible for all membership publications as well as all communications to members, the public, and the S.C. General Assembly.
Combined with her legal training, Ms. Kent's wide range of experience working in the private sector, professional trade associations and state government, gives her a unique ability to represent a variety of clients.
