Check out BGR Review for a recap of President Trump’s first week in office, the potential schedule for a budget resolution, and the latest newsletters from BGR’s practice groups!
Category: Featured
BGR Group Elects Two New Firm Principals
BGR GROUP ELECTS PATRICK DOLAN AND STEVE PFRANG TO SERVE AS FIRM PRINCIPALS
Washington, D.C. (January 23, 2025) – BGR Group, Washington, D.C.’s premier bipartisan lobbying and public relations firm, announced today that Patrick Dolan and Steve Pfrang had been elected by their colleagues to serve as Principals with the firm.
Patrick is a part of the firm’s State and Local Advocacy Practice Group and helps lead the firm’s Artificial Intelligence Working Group. Steve works with the firm’s Commerce and Infrastructure and Financial Services practice groups. He is a firm leader on tax and budget issues.
“Patrick and Steve are both outstanding colleagues to all of us,” BGR Group Chairman and CEO Bob Wood said. “They provide excellent counsel to their clients and our firm as a whole. We are proud to have them both as part of the team.”
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BGR Review – January 10
Check out the latest BGR Review which includes BGR Group’s Quarterly Outlook, a schedule of Trump’s cabinet nomination hearings, and analysis from BGR’s practice groups.
BGR 2025 Quarterly Outlook
As the second Trump presidency is set to begin, BGR Group examines the people, procedures and policies that will define the agenda ahead in our Quarterly Outlook.
Chris Kelly Joins BGR Group as Vice President
CHRIS KELLY JOINS BGR GROUP AS VICE PRESIDENT IN HEALTH AND LIFE SCIENCES PRACTICE
Washington, D.C. (January 10, 2025) – BGR Group, Washington, D.C.’s premiere bipartisan lobbying and public relations firm, announced today that Chris Kelly will join its Health and Life Science Practice as a Vice President later this month. Chris will join BGR from the office of Senator Marsha Blackburn (TN) where he has led the Senator’s health policy portfolio since 2022, most recently as Health Policy Director. He will work with health care clients in both the Nashville and Washington regions.
“We are excited to welcome Chris to BGR Group,” BGR Group Chairman and CEO Bob Wood said. “Given his broad health care portfolio and experience with Senator Blackburn and the burgeoning health care sector based in Tennessee, Chris will be a tremendous asset to our health care practice and the entire BGR team.”
“Chris Kelly has been an exceptional member of our team, demonstrating leadership and a deep understanding of health policy,” Senator Blackburn said. “His ability to work effectively with Tennessee’s diverse healthcare stakeholders has been instrumental in advancing our goals and ensuring collaboration across the board. I am deeply appreciative of Chris’ contributions and know that his future endeavors will be met with the same success and excellence he brought to our team.”
Chris, a Nashville native, brings significant expertise in health policy and a profound connection to one of the nation’s most vibrant healthcare ecosystems. With a long-standing legacy of innovation and leadership, Nashville has cemented its status as a global epicenter for health care entrepreneurship and management. The region boasts a thriving network of over 900 healthcare companies, ranging from groundbreaking startups to industry-leading giants, all working to revolutionize patient care.
In his role as Health Policy Director for Senator Blackburn, Chris has managed the Senator’s health portfolio and advised her policy and oversight efforts on the Senate Finance Committee. During his time with the Senator, he has successfully advanced key legislative priorities including reforming pharmacy benefit managers, combating the opioid crisis, expanding access to mental health services, and driving innovation in pharmaceutical manufacturing. Chris has also helped spearhead bipartisan initiatives on Medicare Payment Reform and worked to develop policy solutions that strengthen financial stability for healthcare providers, improve patient outcomes, and enhance access to quality care. Chris also served as Senator Blackburn’s lead staff for the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee and worked on her successful 2018 Senate campaign.
Prior to joining Senator Blackburn’s team, Chris was an associate at Baker Group Strategies, where he advised multiple federal, state, and local campaigns. Chris graduated magna cum laude from Middle Tennessee State University, earning a degree in Political Science with a minor in History and Political and Civic Engagement.
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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: Loren Monroe in The Hill
State and Local Practice Co-Head Loren Monroe was quoted in The Hill yesterday saying, “The question for every business or trade association is: Are you on a Republican member’s top three must-have list? Having solid champions will be the difference between success and disappointment in 2025.”
BGR 2024 RECAP
As we reflect on 2024, we are proud of our growth and partnerships and grateful for the opportunity to support the work of our outstanding clients and colleagues. We THANK YOU for the opportunity to work with you and wish you a HAPPY NEW YEAR! Here’s to great things in 2025!
Statement from Governor Haley Barbour on Passing of Randy Perkins, Founder and Chairman of AshBritt Environmental
“It is with great sadness that I’ve learned of the sudden passing of Randy Perkins, Founder and Chairman of AshBritt Environmental. I first met Randy during one of the greatest tragedies in Mississippi history, Hurricane Katrina. When then-President George W. Bush declared Mississippi a federal disaster area, he sent the U.S. Army Corps and AshBritt, led by Randy, to handle clean up and debris removal. Candidly, I was skeptical. As Governor, I felt Mississippians could handle the clean up on our own and I was unsure of ‘this guy from out of state.’ Randy came to see me, and we formed an instant partnership, and most importantly, friendship. We worked hand in glove to help the citizens of Mississippi. Randy was a problem solver and one of the hardest working people I’ve ever worked with. When tragedy hit his fellow Americans, like during Katrina and later Superstorm Sandy, Randy and his team were there to help. His knowledge, work ethic, and humor will be sorely missed by his colleagues, competitors, and friends. May God bless Randy and his family.”
