JEFFERSON CITY, Mo — Leading Missouri lobbyist Chris Roepe is joining John Bardgett & Associates as an associate. Roepe will begin registering to represent Bardgett & Associates lengthy client list later this summer.
Roepe has been around the legislative process and Missouri politics for almost 15 years working on many issues alongside the firm he now works for. He will be based out of JBA’s Jefferson City office.
“Kim Tuttle and I have known Chris since 2002 when he managed State Senator Charlie Shields first State Senate campaign. I have wanted to hire Chris to work for my firm for some time and the right opportunity has now presented itself,” said John Bardgett, Jr. “Chris possesses all the right skills, experience and utmost integrity to be successful. We are excited to have him join our team.”
Prior to joining John Bardgett and Associates, Roepe served as Chief of Staff to Senate President Pro Tem Charlie Shields for eight years. He has been listed on The Missouri Times 100+ people to know in Missouri politics and led several successful legislative efforts in the energy sector. Most recently he worked as Vice-President of Government Affairs for Noranda Aluminum.
Roepe expressed excitement to get started with his new firm. “I can’t think of a better fit for me and my family than joining John Bardgett and Associates. There isn’t a better, more admired lobbying firm in Missouri and I’m proud to get to be a part of it,” he said. “I am excited and looking forward to the opportunity to work with John and his team to continue delivering results for JBA clients.”
John Bardgett & Associates is one of the largest lobbying firms in the state representing several of the largest companies and associations in the state, including Anheuser-Busch, the Missouri AFL-CIO, the Jackson County Executive’s Office, St. Louis County, the Missouri Petroleum Marketers Association, the Missouri Automobile Dealers Association, Pinnacle Entertainment, the St. Louis Homebuilders Association and the St. Louis Cardinals.
Roepe’s move is the second big post-session shift in the lobbying corps. Last month David Jackson left the Gate Way Group to join Gamble and Schlemeier.
Rachael Herndon was the editor at The Missouri Times and also produced This Week in Missouri Politics, published Missouri Times Magazine, and co-hosted the #MoLeg podcast. She joined The Missouri Times in 2014, returning to political reporting after working as a campaign and legislative staffer.
Rachael studied at the University of Missouri – Columbia. She lives in Jefferson City with her husband, Brandon, and their two children.