We have compiled our 2015 list of the 100+ people in the Missouri public policy process you need to know. A few changes have been made this year – media and legislative staff are not included, unless they were engaged as a campaign consultant as well.
By no means is this the complete list, and the names are in no particular order, but it would be a good start for someone beginning their career in Missouri politics of the people to get to know.
Also this year, instead of a website, we included each person’s twitter handle.
Lastly, thanks to our readers who helped us compile this year’s list – enjoy and please don’t hesitate to tell us who we missed at @MissouriTimes.
Part 10
Ashley McDonald | Lobbyist, Missouri Farm Bureau
The new face of the Farm Bureau is a fresh one and has evoked a renewed energy into one of the oldest and most powerful groups in the capitol. There is no office she cant walk in and has been successful in invigorating Farm Bureau’s governmental relations.
Brittany Burke | Tactas
The fastest growing public relations firm on the list is principled by a former member of the executive branch. Tactas has hit the ground running since its founding last year and is now known by everyone in the public policy process.
Craig Overfelt | Senior Vice President, Missouri Bankers Association
David Drennan | Executive Director, Missouri Dairy Association
Drennan is the head of an association that has immense stroke in the capitol and that strength was shown in last year’s veto session and one of the first bills passed this year being one that was a signature piece of legislation for their association. Drennan was behind the strategies that mobilized lobbyist, legislative supporters, and his members into one of the biggest forces in the building.
Guy Black | Manager of Governmental Affairs, Bryan Cave LLC
Guy Black is the head of governmental affairs in Missouri for one of the largest law firms in the world. His practice spans large industrial interests to agricultural issues and most everything in between. He may have some of the deepest relationships of anyone in the capitol.
Katie Casas | Lobbyist, Gate Way Group
Casas built a sterling reputation working on education issues, capitalizing on breaking events and talking the term “school transfers” from completely unknown to a word understood by everyone in Missouri politics. She has transferred those accomplishments and relationships into being a key part of the fast growing Gateway Group where she seems to always be in the office where the action is going on.
Kyna Iman | Lobbyist
Kyna is a longtime lobbyist whose clients have been with her for years. Her reputation for loyalty and always being on point for her clients has developed relationships that have made her a top lobbyist and a key person to get to know in Missouri politics.
Miles Ross | President, Veritas Public Relations
An up can coming political affairs firm Veritas is based out of the republican hotbed of Springfield and as there are more republican primaries on the horizon for 2016 Ross and Veritas becomes more valuable. A keen political sense as well as burgeoning corporate business has Ross in a prime position for 2016.
Rodney Hubbard | Lobbyist
Hubbard is a former legislator who has kept his finger on the pulse of what happens both in the capitol and in St. Louis for his clients. From a political family his mother is in the house today Rodney is very effective at honing a message at targeted groups and is also an effective force working with governmental regulatory committees.
Ryan Johnson | President, Missouri Alliance for Freedom
Johnson has exploded on the scene with a flurry of action building the brand of the Missouri Alliance for Freedom with a very active social media presence and scoring votes and handing out awards to those who vote for legislation he approves of. Johnson is now doing workshops around the state that will certainly help himself continue to build his brand going forward and secure him a spot on this list for years to come.
Scott Swain | The Swain Group
Swain is one of the most respected men in the capitol. He has an impressive roster of clients that spread across the political spectrum, and is nearly universally liked. Swain came from the political realm and has transitioned into one of the most reliable firms lobbying firms in the state.
Tom Dempsey | Partner, Gate Way Group
Dempsey left the Pro Tem office in the senate to join one of the fastest growing firms in the state, and with his new position before long maybe the region. His relationships with former colleagues and staff have bred a culture around him of near blind loyalty. He left the senate as one of the most respected legislators of the term limits era, and is well poised to be successful in the private sector.
Zach Brunnert | Associate, Flotron & McIntosh
Zach is an associate at Flotron & McIntosh and by very definition of his job means he knows more about the appropriations process than most people in Jefferson City. He is making a name for himself by building relationships year round, and has the ability to parlay them into results for his clients.
