Introduction

Clarkston Nelson Government Solutions is a full-service governmental relations and advocacy firm located in Jefferson City, Missouri. Although recently founded, our team shares a longstanding, respected reputation in the Missouri State Capitol. Our uniquely qualified professionals have decades of combined experience working in the Missouri state legislature, Executive Branch and state agencies.

The world of politics has changed over the years making it essential for businesses to have an effective and efficient working relationship with policy makers. Our team holds extensive policy knowledge, strong communication and relationship-building skills and precise legislative strategies resulting in successful governmental advocacy for our clients.

At Clarkston Nelson, we believe our teamwork approach based on years of experience, hard work and dedication to our client's interests provide a strong route to client advocacy and effective results bridging the gap between business and government.

FIRM SPECIALTY
DIRECT LOBBYING
In a world of constant change due to term-limits, ever changing political winds and executive branch turnover, we at Clarkston Nelson adapt and thrive due to our extensive experience and hard work. We work extremely hard to successfully help our clients reach their advocacy goals through our professionalism and unique understanding of the legislative and executive process. We provide direct lobbying efforts to shape legislation and regulations from the beginning to implementation. Our firm is capable of providing all services necessary such as legislation and issue monitoring, public engagement counseling, public testimony, and coalition building.

STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS
We believe that public opinion shapes much of the debate and decisions at the government level. Clarkston Nelson have a long history of working with clients in the preparation and development of messaging to assist in their advocacy efforts before the legislature, regulators or any other decision-making body. Our strategic communications will be aimed at reaching our client's underlying goal and often can be conveyed to the media and public to potentially sway opinion to our favor. Often times, strategic communications are aided with coalition building efforts to expand our sphere of influence and find additional partners that share with our goals and preferred outcomes.

RELATIONSHIP BUILDING
Our firm recognizes the vast importance of relationship building throughout the political, regulatory, and industry sectors. We believe healthy relationships are built on honest communication and respect. We work diligently with legislators and department contacts to know our clients and understand why their issues matter. Clarkston Nelson strive to maintain professional and positive relations with state elected officials and decision-makers and can utilize our relationships to assist clients with ensuring their issues are properly understood and considered when needed.

Clients

1) 3M Company

2) AC Disaster Consulting

3) Agape Care Group

4) Alliance for Health Information Operations and Standards (AHIOS) c/o MultiState Associates, LLC

5) American Adoptions

6) American Hotel & Lodging Association

7) American Promise

8) Azova, Inc.

9) Bally's Corporation

10) Bristol Care, Inc.

11) Carfax, Inc.

12) Catapult Learning, LLC

13) Child Care Aware of Missouri

14) City of Jefferson, Missouri

15) Clarkston Nelson LLC

16) CoinFlip

17) Consumer Data Industry Association

18) Consumer Healthcare Products Association

19) Copart, Inc.

20) Diamond Game

21) DirecTV, LLC

22) EBSCO Information Services

23) EchoStar Corporation

24) FCS Financial

25) FORVIS

26) Home Builders Association of Central Missouri

27) KC Fiber

28) Knox Company

29) LS Power Grid Midcontinent, LLC

30) Maverik

31) Missouri Alliance for Children and Families

32) Missouri Association of Cosmetology Schools

33) Missouri Broadcasters Association

34) Missouri Consumer Credit Coalition

35) Missouri Farm Bureau

36) Missouri Fireworks Association

37) Missouri Optometric Association

38) Missouri Press Association

39) Missouri Society of Accountants

40) Missouri Veterinary Medical Association

41) Mortgage Bankers Association of Missouri

42) National Council on Compensation Insurance

43) Odyssey

44) Plum Identity Inc.

45) Presidio Environmental, LLC

46) Public Education Employee Retirement System of Missouri

47) Public School Retirement System of Missouri

48) RAI Services Company

49) Renaissance Learning, Inc.

50) ReUp Education, Inc.

51) SAP Concur Technologies, Inc.

52) Southern Glazer's Wine and Spirits LLC

53) Southwest Transmission, LLC

54) Specialized Education of Missouri, Inc.

55) The Poultry Federation

56) United Healthcare Services, Inc.

57) US Chamber of Commerce

Biography

DOUG NELSON spent five years as Missouri's State Commissioner of Administration working with all branches of government and every executive branch department on contracting and procurement matters. As Commissioner, he oversaw more than 2,000 active procurement contracts, information technology and cybersecurity issues, bond issuances and budget matters. Along with Doug's unmatched experience in all types of government contract issues, his extensive network of national and state contacts makes him a great resource to clients. Doug also spent more than 18 years as an Assistant Missouri Attorney General focusing on consumer and contract litigation and administrative/regulatory matters. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1987 from the University of Missouri, Columbia, and Law degree in 1990 from the University of Missouri, Kansas City.

Last Updated: January 15, 2026