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.
Category: News
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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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: William Crozer offers insight and analysis on a potential second Trump Administration
BGR Group State and Local Practice Co-Head and Principal William Crozer offers insight and analysis on a potential second Trump Administration, its impact on state and local policies, and the role of state and local officials and potential key influencers.
BGR Group Names Ed Rogers Co-Chair of Advisory Board
BGR GROUP NAMES ED ROGERS CO-CHAIR OF ADVISORY BOARD
Washington, D.C. (September 17, 2024) – BGR Group, Washington, D.C.’s, premier bipartisan lobbying and public relations firm, today announced that Ed Rogers, one of the firm’s Founding Partners, has been named Co-Chair of its Advisory Board. BGR’s Advisory Board has become a key part of the firm’s offering to clients. John McIntyre, CEO of RealClearPolitics, will continue to serve as a Co-Chair.
Comprised of policy experts and leaders in their field, the board provides strategic guidance on issues ranging from financial services to health care to foreign policy and to the political environment. As Co-Chair, Ed will lead the efforts to expand the board’s offering and availability to clients. As part of this new role, Ed will also help enhance the firm’s Advisory Services offering, which includes strategic counsel, crisis communications, and global political risk management. In addition to his position with the Advisory Board, Ed remains actively engaged with BGR’s International and Trade Practice Group.
“BGR’s Advisory Board is unique because of its depth and breadth of commercial, policy and political expertise,” BGR Chairman and CEO Bob Wood said. “As a founder of our firm, Ed has always been ahead of the curve when it comes to innovating for our clients. He will continue that spirit of innovation in this new role.”
“BGR represents the best of the best and our Advisory Board is no exception,” Founding Partner Ed Rogers said. “I look forward to working more closely with our board members and BGR leadership to expand engagements with our firm and clients.”
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BGR Group’s September 2024 Outlook
Read BGR Group’s September 2024 Outlook examining the state of the race for President and control of Congress, as well as key issues still to be resolved in the lame duck Congress.