803-799-0059
1301 Gervais Street, Suite 1900, Columbia, SC, 29211,
Decisions are made every day in town halls, the Statehouse, and the nation's capital. One simple vote or agency directive can have a dramatic affect on an entire industry. Knowing the people who make these decisions and understanding the legislative and regulatory process is vital to anyone doing business.
J. Warren Tompkins knows the people and the process. His knowledge of local, state, and federal governments is key to your public affairs success.
20+ years
J. Warren Tompkins has had an enduring impact on South Carolina politics for nearly three decades. Highly regarded as a shrewd political strategist, his advice has been sought throughout the Southeast in local, state and national races.
As a political science major at the University of South Carolina, Mr. Tompkins augmented his political education by volunteering his time and budding talents to local races, working in his first campaign in a 1974 magistrate's race. But it was his volunteer work for Strom Thurmond's 1978 Senate campaign that made people take notice. His tireless efforts on the campaign won him a position as Senator Thurmond's Statewide Coordinator of Special Events. Mr. Tompkins later served as a senior advisor to Senator Thurmond's re-election campaigns in 1984, 1990 and 1996.
His effectiveness got the attention of the South Carolina School Boards Association, where Mr. Tompkins created a legislative agenda for the Association that became one of the most efficient voices for education in the state.
In 1980, Mr. Tompkins served as the Political Director for Reagan for President during the South Carolina Primary. His advice was so valued by the Reagan/Bush Campaign during the first Republican primary in South Carolina in 1980, that he was named Executive Director for the South Carolina Reagan/Bush Campaign for the general election. He later served in the same capacity for the 1984 re-election effort and as a strategist for the 1988 Bush Presidential campaign.
A seasoned political veteran by the age of 29, Mr. Tompkins was appointed Executive Director of the South Carolina Republican Party in 1981, facing a huge deficit in the party's budget and only a small number of party faithful to help reduce that deficit. Under his leadership, the party was reorganized and fundraising took a different approach. In just 12 months, the deficit was erased and active contributors soared from less than a thousand to more than 10,000 during his tenure.
In 1984, Mr. Tompkins had his greatest impact yet on South Carolina politics. He spearheaded the South's most successful voter registration drive as more than 100,000 voters were signed up as part of a long-range plan Mr. Tompkins developed to impact legislative elections. The result? The numbers of Republican members of the South Carolina House and Senate doubled under his direction. And it was Mr. Tompkins' aggressive pursuit of fairness that resulted in the party's successful 1984 lawsuit concerning South Carolina Senate reapportionment.
In 1986, Congressman Carroll Campbell turned to Mr. Tompkins to help him become South Carolina's second Republican governor. He served as campaign manager during the election and Director for Governor Campbell's transition committee. Governor Campbell appointed him Chief of Staff, where he was a catalyst in the administration's successes, supervising a staff of more than 230 people and budgets totaling more than $91 million.
Mr. Tompkins was the chief architect in developing the administration's strategy for economic development, education reform, tax cuts, environmental protection, and government restructuring. He assisted Governor Campbell in directing more than $400-million dollars in grants for local and statewide programs, which created a blueprint for balanced growth, public safety and environmental protection.
His talent for crisis management was vital in South Carolina's recovery efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Hugo. As chairman of the Emergency Management Review Panel, he directed a statewide effort to develop a comprehensive plan to diminish the effects of future natural disasters in South Carolina.
Since 1991, when he started private practice with J. Warren Tompkins, Inc. Public Affairs Company (which later merged to become Tompkins & Kinard, LLC), Tompkins has successfully provided government and legislative affairs guidance to public and private agencies, political organizations and candidates, corporations and individuals.
In 1992, Mr. Tompkins served as the Senior Southern Advisor for the Bush / Quayle re-election campaign overseeing eleven states in the Southeast. A few years after, in 1994, he became a strategist for Beasley for Governor and later acted as a co-chairman for Governor David Beasley's transition committee. He served as his advisor again during Beasley's 1998 re-election campaign.
In 1996, Mr. Tompkins worked on two federal campaigns in prodigious capacity. He served as the Senior Advisor for Senator Thurmond's re-election campaign and as the Senior Southern Advisor for Dole for President. As the senior southern advisor, he oversaw thirteen southeastern states.
In 2000, Tompkins served as the Senior Advisor to George W. Bush's presidential campaign and the Chief Strategist for South Carolina's Presidential Primary. Bush's victory in the South Carolina primary is credited to saving his bid for president and set off a series of victories solidifying his nomination. After the November 7 election, he was sent to Florida to participate in the historic Florida recount. His primary responsibility was to coordinate the Overseas Absentee Ballots in the election winning Bush the presidency. He acted as Senior Advisor and Atlantic Region Chair to the Bush / Cheney successful re-election campaign in 2004.
In 2002, Tompkins was a general consultant to Lindsey Graham in his successful bid to fill the U.S. Senate seat formerly held by Strom Thurmond from 1955 – 2003. In 2004, he was a Senior Advisor to DeMint for US Senate. He also served as the Sergeant at Arms for the 2004 GOP National Convention, a post he also previously served at the 2000 Convention.
In 2005, Mr. Tompkins began a second and separate venture, opening a political consulting firm with business partner Terry Sullivan. The creation of First Tuesday Strategies served as an avenue to separate policy from politics. Mr. Tompkins is currently partnered at First Tuesday Strategies with Luke Byars, former State Director to Senator Jim DeMint.
In 2008, Tompkins acted as a consultant to Senator Lindsey Graham's re-election campaign and as the Senior Southern Advisor to Romney for President.
At First Tuesday Strategies, Mr. Tompkins was a consultant to US Senator Jim DeMint's 2010 re-election campaign. He has also acted as a head consultant to various state and local level campaigns with the political consulting firm. The firm is one of the top political consulting firms in the South and has extensive experience working with earned media, social media, new media, direct mail, marketing, television production, radio production, ad buying, web video production and most notably general campaign consulting. It specializes on grassroots campaigns, political campaigns and corporate development.
Tompkins was a consultant to the Romney for President 2012 campaign.
In the 2016 Presidential Primary cycle, Tompkins managed the Conservative Solutions PAC, which was responsible for overseeing the PAC's $60 million budget assisting Senator Marco Rubio's Presidential campaign. He later served as the Executive Director of the Florida First Project PAC an independent expenditure, which was organized to assist the successful re-election efforts of Marco Rubio to the United States Senate.
Mr. Tompkins currently serves as the executive director to the Conservative Solutions Project, a 501(c)4 promoting conservative values in government.
In late 2016, Tompkins partnered with former State House Representatives Michael Thompson and Boyd Brown to form Tompkins, Thompson, & Brown, a government and public affairs firm providing government consulting and lobbying assistance on the state and federal levels.
Aside from politics, Mr. Tompkins has served on many boards throughout the state. In the past, he served on the Board of Visitors to the Medical University of South Carolina and on the Board at the Governors School for Math and Science Foundation. Currently, he serves as the Vice President of the Cockaboose Railroad Corporation and is a member of the Capital City Club Board of Directors.
Experienced in politics and government, Mr. Tompkins' network of contacts at the federal, state and local levels, coupled with an unparalleled level of expertise and insight, will produce the desired results for government, public and private agencies, political organizations, corporations, and individuals through multi-faceted campaigns addressing every aspect of client's needs.
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.
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
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.
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.
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
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.
803.255.8000
1221 Main Street, Suite 1100, Columbia, SC, 29201,
Jason Puhlasky is a Principal with Parker Poe Consulting and has more than 25 years of experience in lobbying, grassroots networking and media relations paid and earned as well as working on more than 100 political campaigns ranging from State House races to the President of the United States.
20+ years
Jason Puhlasky is a Principal with Parker Poe Consulting and has more than 25 years of experience in lobbying, grassroots networking and media relations paid and earned as well as working on more than 100 political campaigns ranging from State House races to the President of the United States. Prior to joining Parker Poe Consulting, Mr. Puhlasky worked as a consultant and vice president of state government relations, and represented clients before the South Carolina Legislature, specializing in telecommunications, education, environmental and economic development issues. Additionally, Mr. Puhlasky served as the South Carolina Political Director for the George W. Bush presidential campaign in 1999. He has also served as the Political Director for the South Carolina Republican Party and the Director of the South Carolina Senate Republican Caucus.
(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) EBSCO
11) Fort Mill School District No. 4 of York County
12) Holcim Participations US Inc.
13) InState Partner
14) Instructure
15) International Paper Company
16) Interstate Transportation Equipment
17) JM Family Enterprises, Inc.
19) Lotto.com South Carolina LLC
20) Pacaso
21) Piedmont Municipal Power Agency
22) Prisma Health
23) Revenue Based Finance Coalition
24) 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.
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.
803-518-3324
PO Box 6653, Columbia, SC, 29260,
Subjects: Alcohol, Appropriations/Budgets, Ballot Measures/Campaign Finance/Elections, Business/Commerce, Cannabis/Drug Legalization, Children/Family/Women, City/County Government, Energy/Utilities, Environment/Recycling, Food/Restaurants, Gaming, Health Care, Insurance, Non-Profit, Taxes, Telecommunications, Tobacco
Links:Website
Capitol Information Affiliates (CIA) specialize in legislative lobbying, monitoring at various levels, change management, and trade practice compliance. CIA has been in business for over 30 successful years and has over 80 years of collective legislative experience.
20+ years
Julie Cox is a founding partner of Capitol Information Affiliates. Prior to Capitol Information Affiliates, Julie was a Senior Research Analyst for the South Carolina House Ways and Means Committee. Julie is a registered lobbyist and lobbies members of the General Assembly, the Governor's Office and various state agencies. She has an extensive background in taxation, environmental issues, regulatory and judicial matters, alcohol law and alcohol trade practice compliance. She is a graduate of the University of South Carolina with post-graduate study in economics. Julie served as an adjunct professor at the University of South Carolina where she taught association management. She is an active member of Church of the Good Shepherd where she served on the Vestry. Julie is an active member of the Daughters of the King, Episcopal Church Women, the Flower Guild and the Altar Guild.
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.
803-251-2301
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
803-546-2458
1520 Main Street, Suite 1D, Columbia`, SC, 29201,
Subjects: Agencies/Regulations, Appropriations/Budgets, Ballot Measures/Campaign Finance/Elections, Business/Commerce, Cannabis/Drug Legalization, City/County Government, Civil Rights, Corrections/Criminal Justice, Criminal, Education, Energy/Utilities, Environment/Recycling, Housing/Real Estate/Development/Construction, Non-Profit, Public Sector
Links:Website
Kyle Michel Law Firm assists clients in the South Carolina legislature and in the halls of state government in Columbia, SC. We know a broad range of policy. But, more important, we know the people, the processes and the politics that shape how decisions are made in South Carolina government.We are at the legislature each day of session from January through May, reviewing every bill introduced, attending committee meetings, monitoring floor debate and talking with legislators in the lobby. Our clients turn to us because they need a trusted partner to counsel them on strategy and advocate for them before state officials. Some need an ongoing presence at the Statehouse year after year; others retain us to work on specific matters on a shorter term basis.
20+ years
Kyle G. Michel is a Columbia, SC lawyer-lobbyist specializing in government policy and related law. His background is primarily in lobbying and providing guidance to clients interacting with state and federal government, which he has done since 1994. Mr. Michel also represents clients before local government bodies in South Carolina. He has considerable experience in budget, energy, economic development, and education issues, but also works in other issue areas including criminal justice, healthcare, environment, and transportation. In addition to policy advocacy, he represents clients seeking government contracts for goods and services.Mr. Michel is retained to execute advocacy projects on behalf of clients. This work involves developing policy strategies, direct advocacy with government officials, drafting policy documents, and legislative drafting. Mr. Michel is also retained to provide counsel on policy and political forecasting. This work involves monitoring policy and political developments and advising clients on likely outcomes that affect their interests. Prior to forming Kyle Michel Law Firm in South Carolina in 2003, Mr. Michel was Vice President and General Counsel of Morgan Meguire, LLC, a lobbying firm in Washington, DC. He founded the firm with a partner in 1998 and expanded it to a twelve-person practice before relocating to South Carolina. At Morgan Meguire, he lobbied on behalf of clients before Congress, the White House, and executive branch departments and agencies. From 1993 to 1998, Mr. Michel practiced at the firm today known as Dentons in Washington, DC, specializing in federal government affairs. He represented Fortune 100 companies on policy matters in Congress and at the White House.Prior to practicing law, Mr. Michel worked as a Legislative Assistant in the U.S. Senate and in the White House as an advisor on personnel matters. Mr. Michel is a member of the South Carolina and Washington, DC, Bars. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from Texas A&M University. He graduated with honors from the University of Tennessee School of Law. He and his wife Melanie have four children and live in Columbia.
