Julia Canady King Joins BGR Group as Director for Washington and Florida

Washington, D.C. (January 8, 2025) – BGR Group, Washington, D.C.’s premiere bipartisan lobbying and public relations firm, announced today that Julia Canady King has joined the firm as a Director for Washington and Florida. Julia brings experience in federal and state government policy management and public affairs. Her expertise spans state and local budget policy, coalition management, and congressional relations.

Before joining BGR, Julia served as Federal Affairs Coordinator for Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’s Office of Federal Relations & Intergovernmental Affairs. In this role, she advised on federal policy issues, developed legislative initiatives, and facilitated hurricane response and recovery efforts. Her experience as a liaison between federal and state governments uniquely positions her to help BGR clients navigate challenges across both levels of government.

“We are excited to welcome Julia to the BGR team,” BGR Group Chairman and CEO Bob Wood said. “Her understanding of state and federal policymaking will help our clients achieve their legislative and regulatory goals.”

Julia previously served as Government Affairs Manager for the Outdoor Hospitality Industry, representing priorities at both the state and federal levels. She worked with state associations on legislative priorities, coordinated federal outreach strategies, and led grassroots campaigns on key issues such as seasonal labor and tax policies. Julia is a native Floridian and holds degrees from the University of Florida and the Florida State University College of Law.

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BGR In the News: David Urban in POLITICO Influence

IN THE NEWS: BGR Group Managing Director, David J. Urban, was quoted in last night’s POLITICO Influence on President-elect Trump’s Cabinet picks. David was a senior advisor to Trump’s 2016 campaign.

BGR In the News: Matt Hoffmann in The Hill

The Hill covered Matthew Hoffmann‘s return to BGR Group. Matt will focus on cryptocurrency and digital assets regulation, banking, capital markets and the next iteration of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Investment Act (TCJA).

Matt Hoffmann Rejoins BGR Group as Co-Head of Financial Services Practice Group

Senior Republican Financial services expert will focus on blockchain technology, banking, capital markets, and digital assets.

Washington, D.C. (December 6, 2024) – BGR Group, Washington, D.C.’s premiere bipartisan lobbying and public relations firm, announced today that Matt Hoffmann is returning to the firm as a Principal and Co-Head of its Financial Services practice. Most recently, Matt served as Director of Regulatory and Government Affairs for Digital Asset, a blockchain technology company. He has also served in several high-profile positions on Capitol Hill including as the Republican Staff Director for the House Financial Services Committee and as a senior advisor in the Office of the Speaker of the House. In his role with BGR’s Financial Services practice, Matt will focus on issues including banking, capital markets, digital assets, regulation of the crypto industry, and renewal of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Investment Act (TCJA).

“We are thrilled to welcome Matt back to the BGR team,” BGR Group Chairman and CEO Bob Wood said. “Matt is an outstanding colleague and true expert when it comes to financial services, budget, and fiscal policy. He will be a tremendous asset to our firm and our clients as we navigate upcoming tax and financial services policy debates.”

Matt is a Capitol Hill veteran who has served in key roles on both the House and Senate side. As the Staff Director for the House Financial Services Committee, he was the chief advisor to Chairman Patrick McHenry (R-NC) and helped manage committee business including its response to the 2023 banking crisis, advancement of capital market reforms, and creation of the first-ever Digital Assets, Financial Technology and Inclusion Subcommittee. Matt was also instrumental in the Financial Innovation and Technology for the 21st Century Act (FIT21), and other legislation including the Expanding Access to Capital Act, and the Middle Class Borrower Protection Act. During his previous stint at BGR Group, Matt worked across practice groups, including with the Health and Life Sciences and Financial Services practice groups, where he provided policy analysis and strategic counsel to clients. Prior to that, Matt served as Policy Director at the Senate Finance Committee and as a senior advisor to former Speaker of the House Paul Ryan (R-WI) during his service on the House Budget and Ways and Means Committees, and eventually in the Speaker’s office.

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Nick Iarossi Joins BGR Group as Managing Director

Washington, D.C. (November 18, 2024) – BGR Group, Washington, D.C.’s premier bipartisan lobbying and public relations firm, announced today that Nick Iarossi will join the firm as a Managing Director. Nick is a founding member and co-owner of top Florida-based lobbying firm Capital City Consulting, which, along with BGR Group, is part of the national public affairs firm Advocus Partners. He will remain primarily active with Capital City Consulting focused on Florida-related government affairs and help expand collaboration across all Advocus companies in his new role at BGR.

“Nick is an outstanding political talent who has helped build one of the most successful government affairs firms in Florida history,” BGR Group Chairman and CEO Bob Wood said. “We have gotten to know Nick and his colleagues through Advocus and are thrilled to have him formalize a role with us at BGR Group. This is a continuation of an already successful partnership. We are excited to have Nick as part of the team.”

“BGR Group represents the gold standard in Washington, just as Capital City does throughout Florida,” Iarossi said. “I have had the privilege of collaborating with the BGR Group team via Advocus and have been consistently impressed by their commitment to excellence and delivering results for clients. As the second Trump administration begins to take shape, joining BGR will allow me to provide clients new opportunities on a national level in Washington. I look forward to finding ways to expand collaborations between BGR Group, Capital City, and all our Advocus Partners.”

“Joining BGR as Washington transitions to the new administration is a natural progression for Nick and further enhances the value proposition Advocus Partners brings to clients’ government and public affairs efforts, both at the state and national levels,” Advocus President and co-owner of Capital City Consulting Ron LaFace said.

As a founding member of Capital City Consulting, Nick has worked on local, state, and federal government policy issues for over 20 years. He was recognized by Influence Magazine as one of the top 100 Most Influential People in Florida, a member of The News Service of Florida’s Power 100, and the most influential lobbyist in the State of Florida according to The Florida Standard. 

Nick is considered the best in his field representing a diverse client base in sectors such as: financial services, insurance, environmental, gaming, retail, education, information technology, and procurement. Throughout his career, Nick successfully lobbied for countless pieces of legislation on behalf of his clients and secured billions of dollars in legislative appropriations. Furthermore, Nick is often relied on by clients to assist on various public affairs efforts such as crisis management, message development, ballot initiatives and political branding.

Nick is active politically and a prolific fundraiser who has served in leadership positions on several national and state campaigns. Most recently, Nick raised money for the Trump 47 Campaign and supporting committees. Prior to that, Nick served as the National Finance Co-Chair for the DeSantis for President Campaign. In 2016, he served on the Marco Rubio for President National Finance Committee.   Additionally, Nick served as the Inaugural Co-Chair and Inaugural Finance Chair for both of Governor Ron DeSantis’ inaugurations for Governor, and on both Inaugural Committees of Governor Rick Scott. 

In 2023, along with BGR Group and other nationally leading public affairs firms, Nick and his Capital City Consulting partners helped found Advocus Partners, a bipartisan, national, public affairs firm that provides comprehensive and integrated government advocacy and advisory services for every level of government in all regions of the country.

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BGR in the News: Robb Walton in Axios Pro

BGR Health and Life Sciences Principal, Robb Walton, was quoted in Axios Pro on Senator Bill Cassidy’s new position as Senate HELP Committee Chair. Robb formerly served as a health policy adviser to Senator Cassidy.

Robb said he “expects Cassidy to work with the new administration on setting priorities, and that the senator can be a ‘coalition builder’ on bipartisan action outside of reconciliation.”

Japan Tops 2024 BGR Impact Index, a Data-Based Ranking of Foreign Countries’ Influence in the U.S.

Japan is the top-ranked country in the 2024 BGR Impact Index, a ranking of the world’s countries based how well-known and well-regarded they are in the U.S. The BGR Impact Index is produced by BGR Analytics, part of the BGR Group, a top-performing lobbying and communications firm in Washington D.C., and is based on analysis of traditional, news and social media data.

BGR Deep Dive: Texas Remains a Domestic and International Economic Stalwart

BGR’s Texas Director, Jerry Strickland, dives into Texas’s economy that is remaining unphased by broader economic struggles in the country and looks ahead to the next legislative session. Read more about what is to come below.

BGR’s David Urban in the Wall Street Journal – A Trump Peace Plan for Ukraine

BGR Managing Director, David Urban, wrote in the Wall Street Journal about what a Trump peace plan for Ukraine could look like. He and Former Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo state that a successful plan would:

1) Unleash America’s energy potential

2) Rebuild ties with Saudi Arabia and Israel and work together against Iran.

3) Impose real sanctions on Russia.

4) Bulk up America’s defense industry.

5) Revitalize the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.

6) Create a $500 billion “lend-lease” program for Ukraine.

7) Lift all restrictions on the type of weapons Ukraine can obtain and use.

    BGR’s Kurt Volker On the Response by Foreign Leaders to the Assassination Attempt of Former President Trump

    WATCH: BGR Group Advisory Board Member and former U.S. Ambassador to NATO, Kurt Volker joined CNBC Squawk Box to discuss the response by foreign leaders to the assassination attempt of former President Trump, what it means for the 2024 election, and potential implications of a second Trump presidency.